California legislators cut $1.8 million suction dredge mining program
Environmentalists say cut advances salmon restoration, improves water quality
The Times-Standard
05/15/2011
The Karuk Tribe is applauding the California legislators for cutting a program that costs taxpayers nearly $2 million a year -- suction dredge mining.
According to a press release from the tribe, the budget subcommittees of both houses in the California Legislature approved identical cuts last week that could end suction dredge mining, an act the tribe calls an “environmentally destructive practice.”
”California is in the midst of an historic financial crisis. Taxpayers can no longer afford to subsidize this environmentally destructive hobby,” said Leaf Hillman, director of the Karuk Tribe Department of Natural Resources, in the release.
The move by the budget committees still needs approval as part of the overall state budget, but reversing the proposal would require lawmakers to fight for budget increases to fund a dredge mining permit and enforcement program as they face devastating cuts to public safety, education and social services.
According to the California Department of Fish and Game's environmental impact report, the dredging program raises $373,000 a year in permit fees, but under the newly proposed regulations would spend over $1.8 million in administration and enforcement.
