New Zealand
Mud Snails

Example Letters

November 24, 2003

Robert Treanor
Executive Director
California Fish and Game Commission
1416 Ninth Street
Sacramento, CA 95814

Dear Sir,

I am writing you to request the California Fish and Game Commission close fishing at Putah Creek under an emergency closure order until the recently found infestation of New Zealand Mud Snails is assessed by the California Department of Fish and Game and a control/eradication method(s) is instituted.

The New Zealand Mud Snail was first discovered at Putah Creek on the first week of November 2003 and according to biologist Ken Davis was not seen in Putah Creek back in Feburary of 2003, during a bio-assessment. Anglers appear to be the inadvertent transportation vehicle for these snails to other fisheries.

There is abundant evidence that the snail has been devastating to the trout fisheries of Montana and elsewhere in the United States.

The California Department of Fish and Game did not to take action in the Lower Owens River infestation when the snail was first identified in 2000. Now, CDF&G is refusing to take an active role in trying to prevent to spread from Putah into other California waters.

Please don’t allow this to become another Lake Davis debacle. As we all should have learned, an early response is crucial to protect our natural resources.

Respectfully,

Gary W Flanagan, President
Granite Bay Flycasters
 

David Katz, California Director
TROUT UNLIMITED
1120 College Ave., Santa Rosa, CA 95404
Office: (707)543-5877
FAX (707) 543-5857
cell: 707 484-6283
dkatz@tu.org  or davidkat@sonic.net

Our mission is to conserve, protect, and restore North America's trout and salmon fisheries and their watersheds.

November 15, 2003

Mr. Michael Flores, President,

California Fish and Game Commission
1416 Ninth Street
Sacramento, CA 95814

Re: New Zealand Mud Snail in Putah Creek

Dear Mr. Flores:

I am writing you to request the California Fish and Game Commission close fishing at Putah Creek under an emergency closure order until the recently found infestation of New Zealand Mud Snail is assessed by the California Department of Fish and Game and a control/eradication method(s) is instituted.

The New Zealand Mud Snail was discovered at Putah Creek on the first week of November 2003. As you know, this organism can have a devastating effect on trout fisheries where it becomes established. Anglers appear to be the inadvertent vector for these snails, moving them to other waters through contamination of boots and waders.

There is a substantial body of knowledge indicating that this type of infestation is not only destructive to the original site, but that once established, it is a source of contamination that is spreads to many other waters.  

An emergency closure will give CDGF time to conduct an preliminary assessment and make the necessary plans to limit or eradicate this problem.  We urge you direct CDFG to act immediately.

Many of us in the fishing community, including Trout Unlimited, Cal Trout, Granite Bay Flycasters, and other fishing groups, are ready and willing to contribute funding and other resources to assist the state in managing this situation.

Sincerely,

David Katz

California Director

TROUT UNLIMITED:  America's Leading Coldwater Fisheries Conservation Organization

California Office: 1120 College Ave., Santa Rosa CA 95404

(707) 543-5877     www.tucalifornia.org