[Fwd: Fish & Game Wardens - September 14, 2003]

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Fish & Game Wardens - September 14, 2003

Sun, 14 Sep 2003 19:21:39 -0700

eric <afa

 

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

 

" The Thin Green

Line "

 

Game wardens are probably the least recognized and appreciated

members of the law-enforcement community, even though their work

includes the regular duties of peace officers, as well as wildlife law

enforcement. Many of the people with whom wardens come in contact are

armed, and often miles from the closest backup.

 

Inexcusably, game wardens are paid far less than the 8,000

California Highway Patrol officers. The 28,000 California state

corrections officers just got a 6.8% pay raise, while wardens' salaries

are frozen, and overtime pay cancelled. Not acceptable!

 

Our game wardens face an impossible task, and wildlife suffers

accordingly. California has 159,000 square miles of land, 1100 miles of

coastline, 35 million people (and growing), and only 375 wardens to

patrol it all. To do the job properly would require 1,000 wardens. A

reasonable salary for this dangerous yet critically important work would

help attract the necessary qualified personnel.

 

The Department of Fish & Game reportedly plans to lay off 32-38

wardens come November, roughly 10% of an already-understaffed work

force. Again, not acceptable. Poaching is on the increase, and " The

Thin Green Line, " as wardens like to call themselves, is the last

bastion of defense for our beleaguered wildlife and the environment.

Without major reforms, game wardens are likely to become as endangered

as some of the critters they so dedicatedly protect. They are true

heroes. Yet few in Sacramento seem to care.

 

This dismal situation should be made a campaign issue for every

now-and-future governor and politician. Governor Davis and all

legislators may be written c/o The State Capitol, Sacramento, CA 95814.

 

 

Sincerely,

 

 

Eric Mills, coordinator

 

ACTION FOR ANIMALS

 

P.O. Box 20184

 

Oakland, CA 94620

 

tel. 510/652-5603