The Central Coast's Assemblymember Bill Monning (D-Carmel) saw his bill AB 971 pass the State Senate 33 to 3 yesterday, and today the bill is headed to Governor Jerry Brown’s desk who is expected to sign it into law.
Authored by Monning, the bill will extend the California Sea Otter Fund’s life. Funding for the program comes from “voluntary tax check-off” contributions made on the state’s tax form.
Originally created in 2006, the fund came under difficulties in 2010. Voluntary tax option categories must meet minimum contribution levels to remain on the form. The California tax board extended the otter program another year, but the extension was unlikely to continue in 2012. AB 971 extends taxpayer’s ability to help the otters another five years.
“The sea otter population is threatened by a variety of stressors, including declines in habitat quality and increased exposure to various forms of pollution,” states the bill’s language. “Because of these stressors, the total number of sea otters in California is less than 3,000, and the surviving population continues to experience high mortality and periodic population declines.”
“The passage of AB 971 will extend the voluntary tax check-off option for Californians and continue to raise critical funds to help research that will protect the sea otter population,” says Monning.
The bill gained wide support in early 2010. Defenders of Wildlife’s Jim Curland said last year, “This fund is too important to sea otter conservation to let go. Even the donation of a single dollar will help give these magnificent animals the shot at life they deserve.”
Grandson of the internationally recognized Jacques Cousteau was an early supporter. The third generation environmentalist filmmaker, Philippe Cousteau, was an early supporter of the bill.
“The California sea otter is an iconic creature,” said Cousteau. “By checking the sea otter donation box, California taxpayers will help ensure that these loveable creatures are given the chance they deserve to come back from the brink and thrive for generations to come.’
The state’s fish and game department, in conjunction with the California Coastal Conservancy, will administer the California Sea Otter Fund. They will be seeking “competitive grants” for research and projects to improve otter habitats.
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