CSPA |
| "Lois Wolk is a champion for the protection of our state's declining fish populations and the failing Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta, which provides critical habitat for our state's fisheries. She has successfully taken on some of the most challenging and complicated issues facing the state, taking a leadership role on water policy and in efforts to strengthen flood protection and land use planning in California's Central Valley and Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta region. Californians are lucky to have such a strong advocate looking out for their water, recreation, and wildlife resources." Brian Stranko, CEO, CalTrout |
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Assemblywoman Lois Wolk, to hold "Lois Luau" as a thank you as part of her last term in office as a member of the Assembly
by Jerry Neuburger
August 18, 2008. -- After six years of outstanding service in the state Assembly, Assembly woman Lois Wolk will hold her 6th annual, "Lois Luau" on October 10th at the Dixon May Fair grounds. The event will feature tropical drinks, Hawaiian food, and island entertainment. Ms. Wolk has invited Senator Darrell Steinberg as a special guest.
Ms. Wolk represents the Eighth Assembly District, which spans Solano and Yolo Counties including the cities of Benicia, Davis, Dixon, Fairfield, Rio Vista, Suisun City, Vacaville, West Sacramento, Winters, and Woodland.
In the spring of this year, Wolk, chair of the Assembly Water Parks and Wildlife Committee, authored AB 1806, the recent delta restoration and mitigation bill and AB 2502, a bill that would have authorized the Director of Parks and Recreation to acquire land or other property interests in the Counties of Sacramento, Solano, and Yolo, including Liberty Island, Prospect Island, and Little Holland Tract, for the purpose of ecological restoration and management and outdoor recreation. Both bills were written in consultation with John Beuttler, Conservation Chair of CSPA.
While AB 2502 did not make it out of the Assembly, AB 1806 was passed by the Assembly and successfully cleared the Senate's Appropriations Committee before dieing in a close 18 to 21 floor vote. The bill's progress was the greatest of any fisheries bill in a number of years.
During her time in office, Ms. Wolk established a solid record of supporting issues on fisheries, conservation, and the environment. Quoting from her website, "Wolk serve[d] as the Assembly’s representative on the Delta Protection Commission, charged with protecting the Delta’s environmental, agricultural, and recreational values. As a member of the California Wildlife Conservation Board, Wolk help[ed] allocate funding for important environmental projects throughout the state."
Wolk has succeeded in authoring 50 new laws. Most recently, in 2007, Governor Schwarzenegger signed 10 Wolk-authored bills including legislation to improve flood protection in flood-prone areas of California’s Central Valley; improve safety on a treacherous stretch of State Highway 12; require more planning for state parks and recreation opportunities for the Central Valley; and provide the Department of Fish and Game with the authority to control highly invasive species that threaten California's water delivery and natural ecosystems."
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| Brian Stranko, CEO of CalTrout presenting Assemblywoman Lois Wolk with the Golden Trout Award. Photo by Dan Bacher |
While in office, Wolk earned many awards, the most recent in May of this year, the Golden Trout Award from California Trout. The award is given, "to the individual who makes the most distinguished contribution to the protection of wild trout, steelhead, and their habitat- someone whose actions and deeds exemplify the meaning of public service."
In giving the award, Brian Stranko, CalTrout's CEO said, "Lois Wolk is a champion for the protection of our state's declining fish populations and the failing Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta, which provides critical habitat for our state's fisheries. She has successfully taken on some of the most challenging and complicated issues facing the state, taking a leadership role on water policy and in efforts to strengthen flood protection and land use planning in California's Central Valley and Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta region. Californians are lucky to have such a strong advocate looking out for their water, recreation, and wildlife resources."
Ms. Wolk currently serves on the Committee on Water, Parks, and Wildlife (Committee Chair), Committee on Budget, Committee on Banking and Finance, Committee on Natural Resources, Committee on Veterans Affairs, Budget Subcommittee on Transportation and Information Technology and the Special Committee on Water (Committee Chair)
Ms. Wolk is not retiring from politics. She is running for District 5 in the State Senate, a seat now held by Mike Machado. The Fifth Senate District includes the cities of Tracy, Manteca and Stockton in San Joaquin County; Suisun City, Fairfield, Dixon and Vacaville in Solano County; Davis, West Sacramento, Winters and Woodland in Yolo County; as well as Walnut Grove and a portion of Elk Grove in Sacramento County. The district practically encapsulates the imperiled Sacramento/San Joaquin Delta. Given her past record as a champion of fisheries, conservation and the environment, and the state of the delta and its fisheries, if Wolk is elected, it appears that her work will be an all consuming endeavor.
As a 501c3 non-profit corporation, the California Sportfishing Protection Alliance is not allowed to endorse specific candidates for office. Therefore, this article should not be considered as an endorsement of any kind.