REP. MIKE THOMPSON INDUCTED INTO CALIFORNIA WATERFOWLER'S HALL OF FAME
August 12, 2013
U.S. Rep. Mike Thompson (CA-5) was inducted into the California Waterfowler's Hall of Fame yesterday. The Waterfowler's Hall of Fame was established in 2006 by the California Fish and Game Commission to recognize individuals who have made significant contributions to enhancing and conserving waterfowl and their habitats in the state. Thompson is the first sitting elected official to be inducted into the Hall of Fame.
“It is a tremendous honor to be inducted into the Waterfolwer's Hall of Fame,” said Thompson. “California is home to the greatest waterfowl habitat in our country. I am proud to be included among those who have worked long and hard to protect and preserve our great wetlands and diverse wildlife.”
"Waterfowl have no greater champion in Congress today than Mike Thompson," stated California Fish and Game Commission President, Mike Sutton. "During his service in the California State Legislature and his current tenure in Congress, no one has done more to promote waterfowl conservation in California."
The California Fish and Game Commission recognized Thompson for his years of substantial contributions to waterfowl and land conservation during his time in Congress and the California State Senate.
Thompson is a lifelong hunter and conservationist. As an elected official, Thompson secured more than $20 million to restore the Napa-Sonoma Salt Marsh, one of the largest wetlands restoration projects in U.S. history. He also is a strong supporter of the North American Wetlands Conservation Act, which has conserved more than 23 million acres of wetlands across North America, and is a co-author of the reauthorization.
In the early 1990s, when the homeless started camping along the South Spit of Humboldt Bay the land quickly deteriorated. Garbage was piling up, and abandoned cars, busses, and trailers leaked fluids into wetlands. Thompson led the efforts to clean up the site, make sure the homeless were offered services, and save the hunting lands.
Thompson also helped forge a deal in Del Norte County to save the Aleutian Goose. The goose population was growing and they needed more grazing areas to forage. The geese competed with local ranchers, cattle, and dairy operations which created hardship for both the geese and the local farmers and ranchers. Thompson struck a deal with California State Parks that allowed the land to be restored to short grass, the preferred forage for Aleutians. This was a true win for the geese and the landowners.
Nominations to the California Waterfowler's Hall of Fame are made by the California Waterfowler's Hall of Fame Nomination Committee - which includes representatives from the California Waterfowl Association (CWA), Ducks Unlimited (DU), the California Department of Fish and Wildlife and other recognized individuals who have been deeply involved in waterfowl conservation in California. The slate of nominees is then ratified by the California Fish and Game Commission.
Congressman Mike Thompson is proud to represent California's 5th Congressional District, which includes all or part of Contra Costa, Lake, Napa, Solano and Sonoma Counties. He is a senior member of the House Ways and Means Committee and the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence. Rep. Thompson is also a member of the fiscally conservative Blue Dog Coalition and chairs the bipartisan, bicameral Congressional Wine Caucus.
“It is a tremendous honor to be inducted into the Waterfolwer's Hall of Fame,” said Thompson. “California is home to the greatest waterfowl habitat in our country. I am proud to be included among those who have worked long and hard to protect and preserve our great wetlands and diverse wildlife.”
"Waterfowl have no greater champion in Congress today than Mike Thompson," stated California Fish and Game Commission President, Mike Sutton. "During his service in the California State Legislature and his current tenure in Congress, no one has done more to promote waterfowl conservation in California."
The California Fish and Game Commission recognized Thompson for his years of substantial contributions to waterfowl and land conservation during his time in Congress and the California State Senate.
Thompson is a lifelong hunter and conservationist. As an elected official, Thompson secured more than $20 million to restore the Napa-Sonoma Salt Marsh, one of the largest wetlands restoration projects in U.S. history. He also is a strong supporter of the North American Wetlands Conservation Act, which has conserved more than 23 million acres of wetlands across North America, and is a co-author of the reauthorization.
In the early 1990s, when the homeless started camping along the South Spit of Humboldt Bay the land quickly deteriorated. Garbage was piling up, and abandoned cars, busses, and trailers leaked fluids into wetlands. Thompson led the efforts to clean up the site, make sure the homeless were offered services, and save the hunting lands.
Thompson also helped forge a deal in Del Norte County to save the Aleutian Goose. The goose population was growing and they needed more grazing areas to forage. The geese competed with local ranchers, cattle, and dairy operations which created hardship for both the geese and the local farmers and ranchers. Thompson struck a deal with California State Parks that allowed the land to be restored to short grass, the preferred forage for Aleutians. This was a true win for the geese and the landowners.
Nominations to the California Waterfowler's Hall of Fame are made by the California Waterfowler's Hall of Fame Nomination Committee - which includes representatives from the California Waterfowl Association (CWA), Ducks Unlimited (DU), the California Department of Fish and Wildlife and other recognized individuals who have been deeply involved in waterfowl conservation in California. The slate of nominees is then ratified by the California Fish and Game Commission.
Congressman Mike Thompson is proud to represent California's 5th Congressional District, which includes all or part of Contra Costa, Lake, Napa, Solano and Sonoma Counties. He is a senior member of the House Ways and Means Committee and the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence. Rep. Thompson is also a member of the fiscally conservative Blue Dog Coalition and chairs the bipartisan, bicameral Congressional Wine Caucus.
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