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from the Alameda Creek Alliance

Alameda Creek Alliance calls for letter campaign to Congressman McNerney regarding his "Aye" vote on the Nunes Amendment

June 22, 2009 -- If you live in Congressman Jerry McNerney's district (Danville, San Ramon, Pleasanton, Dublin, Tracy, Morgan Hill), please contact Representative McNerney immediately about his vote last week against protection for endangered Central Valley salmon. If you live in another district, please contact your congressional representative as well.
 
McNerney voted June 19 for a salmon extinction amendment by Central Valley Representative Devin Nunes (Nunes amendment to HR 2847) that would have stripped funding for court-mandated protections for Central Valley salmon. The amendment was defeated in a close vote of 218 to 208 in Congress, but Nunes will try to attach the extinction rider on other appropriation bills coming up the next couple weeks. Over 40 Democrats voted for the amendment despite the probable extinction of salmon runs, green sturgeon and the southern resident population of killer whales if the recently released federal biological opinion was not funded. McNerney inexplicably voted for the amendment, despite his reputation as a "green" representative.
 
WHAT YOU CAN DO:
 
Please call or write Representative McNerney today and let him know politely that you are disappointed in his vote against protection for endangered Central Valley salmon and will be watching how he votes on upcoming amendments.
 
Congressman Jerry McNerney
Pleasanton Office
5776 Stoneridge Mall Rd. #175
Pleasanton, CA 94588
Phone: (925) 737-0727
Phone: (408) 744-0727
Fax: (925) 737-0734
 
Congressman Jerry McNerney
Stockton Office
2222 Grand Canal Blvd. #7
Stockton, CA 95207
Phone: (209) 476-8552
Fax: (209) 476-8587
 
Talking points:
 
As McNerney's constituent, you expect him to uphold strong Endangered Species Act protections for endangered salmon.
 
The federal fish agency (NMFS) biological opinion found that the pumping operations of the Central Valley Project jeopardize long-term survival of winter and spring-run Chinook salmon, green sturgeon, Central Valley steelhead, and southern resident killer whales. The opinion called for a 5-7% reduction in Delta water exports to save salmon.
 
Businesses and coastal and Central Valley communities have been devastated by recent salmon and Delta fish collapses. If we have healthy salmon runs, recreational and commercial salmon fishing could provide tens of thousands of jobs and up to a billion dollars or more to the California economy.
 
Background articles:
 
Congress Narrowly Defeats Nunes Salmon Extinction Amendment
Schwarzenegger Amps Up Canal Campaign, War on Fish
 
NOAA Rules That Water Projects Jeopardize Endangered Species
 
Tightening the tap: Feds order 5-7 percent reduction in delta water exports to save salmon, smelt and whales
 
Read the EDF and Bay Institute Statement in Response to Governor Schwarzenegger Issuing Executive Order to Direct Financial Aid to Central Valley