22 



FISH AND GAME COMMISSION. 



The Fish and Game Commission felt that it would be derelict of its 

 duty if it did not clinmpion the saving? of the fish in the Klamath. It 

 consistently fought the applications for permits and failing in this 

 decided that the saving of tlie fish could be accomplished only by sub- 

 mitting the matter to the people through an initiative. Consequently, 

 in the spring of 1924 the Commission aided in securing an initiative 

 ]ictition whicli finally went to the Secretary of State with the largest 

 number of names ever turned in on a similar petition. As a result, 

 the matter was referred to the people for a vote. The measure pro- 

 vided for a fish reserve which would be ()i)en to the angler and 

 available for a source of eggs for the state's hatcheries, but be closed 

 to the building of dams or other obstructions that would hinder the 

 migration of fish. The saving of the fishery resources of the Klamath 

 are largely dependent on a favorable vote on this measure. 



PROBLEMS. ' 



The main problems of the Fish and Game Commission are still to 

 be summed up in three words: "pollution, drainage, and power 

 dams. ' ' 



In spite of useful laws and better public sentiment, the pollution of 

 inland and coastal waters with oil still continues. It is hoped that the 

 aid of federal legislation will help to improve conditions. 



Fig. 8. One year's accumulation of illegal nets in the Sacramento District being- 

 destroyed by fire, March, 1924. Law provides for this mode of disposal of 

 those nets having illegal mesh. Photograph by George Neale. 



No better example of the danger attendant upon unwise drainage 

 has been afforded than that of Lower Klamath Lake in the north- 

 eastern corner of the state. This lake was in a federal bird reserva- 

 tion and here thousands of shore birds and waterfowl reared their 

 young each year. The area was drained at an expense of $300,000 

 and now it is discovered that the lake bed is wholly unfit for agri- 

 culture and residents and conservationists alike are pleading for a 

 reflooding of the lake. It was only through decisive action that the 



