WILDLIFE CONSERVATION BOARD 



F/nnon Reservoir, El Dorado County, purchased by Wildlife Conservation Board funds and to be JeJ>caled exclusively to angling. 



CFish and Game Photo) 



Taking stock of California's dwindling natural re- 

 sources, and cognizant of the necessity to provide for 

 future recreational needs, the 1947 Legislature created 

 the Wildlife Conservation Board and charged it with 

 the task of establishing "a coordinated and balanced 

 program resulting in the maximum revival of ^\■ildlife 

 * * * and in the maximum recreational advantages to 

 the people." 



To finance this program, the Legislature appropri- 

 ated $12,000,000 from horse racing pari-mutuel funds. 

 Since 1947 the board has administered this fund, \\'ith 

 additional legislative grants, for capital outlav projects 

 it deems essential and suitable for wildlife production 

 and preservation and which will enhance recreational 

 values. The board, which is responsible only to the 

 Legislature, consists of the President of the Fish and 

 Game Commission, the Director, Department of Fish 

 and Game, and the Director of the Department of 

 Finance. Three members of the Senate and three mem- 

 bers of the Assembly serve as an advisory group to 

 the board. 



During the first year of this biennium, the Wildlife 

 Conservation Board concentrated on completing proj- 

 ects invoKing waterfowl management areas and fish 

 hatchery ccjnstruction. By the end of the second year 

 these two programs were almost completed. Some 

 work remains to be done on Gray Lodge and Imperial 



Waterfowl Management Areas and minor hatchery 

 capital outlay also ma\" be required. 



WARMWATER PROGRAM 



The second year of the biennium saw the intensifi- 

 cation of the \\armwater fish program, and access to 

 inland fishing waters. 



The 195.1 Legislature approved a recurring annual 

 appropriation of $750,000. The first amount became 

 available Jul\- 1, 1955. Those supporting this legislation 

 pointed out that the waterfowl and catchable trout 

 programs were almost fully developed, but that much 

 work w as needed to provide suitable w armw ater fish- 

 ing for the ever-increasing population. 



A survey revealed a great potential in developing 

 existing reservoirs, including public water supplies, as 

 w ell as such bodies of waters as dredger ponds, coastal 

 lagoons, sloughs and oxbow lakes. When impounded 

 waters were not available for development, it was 

 proposed to construct new reservoirs for fishing and 

 recreational use. 



Public access to fishing waters and public lands is 

 a growing problem and the Wildlife Conservation 

 Board has recognized this by instituting a long-range 

 program of correction. Its three major facets are in- 

 land angling access, coastal access and access to public 

 hunting lands. 



