Failure of California Endangered Species Act Compliance from Department of Water Resources Behind Director Leaving Troubled Dep

[courtesy of California Progress Report]

By Dan Bacher

Ryan Broddrick, the current Director of the California Department of Fish and Game, will be leaving the agency on August 31 to work for the Northern California Water Agency.

Broddrick was the rare exception among DFG directors in that he actually rose up through the ranks of the Department, rather than being appointed from outside of the agency like most directors have been over the years. Broddrick had served as Director for the last 3.5 years, capping over 25 years of service to DFG and over 30 years of state service. He served 3 Governors in appointed positions over his career.

His resignation occurs at a time when the agency is undergoing one of its biggest crises ever as populations of Delta smelt, longfin smelt, juvenile striped bass and threadfin shad continue to collapse because of massive increases in Delta water exports in recent years.

Many believe that his resignation was spurred by the frustration that he and other staff had in getting the Department of Water Resources to comply with the California Endangered Species Act by getting a court-ordered “incidental take permit” to kill endangered and threatened Delta smelt, winter run chinook and spring run chinook. However, in his letter to the Governor and staff, he gave no indication of any disappointment or frustration with the administration.

“As most of you know I returned to DFG from retirement under unprecedented circumstances; a recall election and significant department deficit,” he stated. “I committed to Governor Schwarzenegger to turn the lights back on, to celebrate our long tradition of resource management and set the stage for our continued success and leadership. Working on your behalf, representing DFG, and the State of California has taken me all over the nation and that experience has reinforced that DFG initiatives, people, and performance lead the nation in conservation.”

“It is bittersweet to leave you once again,” he said. “However, an unexpected opportunity to serve as Executive Director of the Northern California Water Association coincided with extended family responsibilities and knowing that I could never serve as your Director without giving 150%, 24/7. In my heart I knew it was time to pass the mantle of leadership to the next generation.”