42 DEPARTMENT OF PISH AND GAME 



by the operator of the disposal system. The various agencies concerned 

 with water pollution submit their recommendations to the pollution 

 control boards before these requirements are set. The Department of 

 Fish and Game has the responsibility of furnishing any technical in- 

 formation on the fish and wildlife aspects of any waste discharge re- 

 quested by the regional boards and within the last two years submitted 

 over 700 recommendations. 



In addition, the creation of the pollution control boards imposed a 

 new function upon the Department of Fish and Game, one of conducting 

 extensive biological pollution investigations at the request of the boards. 

 During the last two years we were asked to undertake 21 biological pol- 

 lution surveys, mostly in w T aters in which quality improvement seems 

 to be indicated. 



In many of these areas, especially bays and harbors, similar work had 

 never before been undertaken. For example, surveys were completed of 

 San Diego, Newport, and Los Angeles Harbors in Southern California, 

 as well as of San Francisco Bay and other areas where fish and wildlife 

 is jeopardized by inadequate waste treatment. These studies dealt with 

 unhealthy environments, in contrast with the usual post-mortem investi- 

 gations of fish mortalities. This program is the most extensive ever under- 

 taken by a state agency and nationwide interest has resulted. 



Because the necessary technical assistance was not available from 

 the regular staff of the Department of Fish and Game, it was decided 

 wherever possible to carry out these biological pollution investigations 

 under contract with academic personnel. The University of California, 

 University of Southern California, and University of San Francisco 

 have participated in this work, with extremely satisfactory results. Costs 

 were kept at a minimum and we have been able to develop an apprecia- 

 tion of the importance of fish and game in the water pollution control 

 program in many agencies, schools, and industry groups. In addition, 

 the universities are beginning to develop the pool of trained personnel 

 necessary for any long-range program of water pollution abatement. 



This shift of emphasis from purely enforcement type activities to 

 planning before the pollution occurs reflects the increasing responsibility 

 of the Department of Fish and Game in virtually all of our major activi- 

 ties and the emphasis that must be placed upon public relations and 

 education. 



There still exist many pollution problems of concern to the Depart- 

 ment of Fish and Game, particularly in the Central Valley salmon rivers, 

 such as the Tuolumne, the Mokelumne, and the San Joaquin. However, 

 partial treatment facilities and careful control made it possible to avoid 

 fish mortalities during the past two years. 



Additional treatment facilities are still badly needed to completely 

 protect the fisheries resources, particularly at Modesto, Stockton, and 

 Sacramento. The increasing industrialization in the Martinez-Antioch 

 area is also creating an increasingly serious pollution threat to the Cen- 

 tral Valley salmon and striped bass. The Regional Water Pollution 

 Control Boards have recognized the fisheries resources as the primary 

 use to be protected in all areas where these resources are jeopardized. 



The Department of Fish and Game has also intensified its independent 

 pollution control program, including both law enforcement and technical 

 investigation. 



