Greg Hurner Appointed Department of Fish and Game Senior Advisor

Department of Fish Game Director Ryan Broddrick has named Greg Hurner as his senior advisor. Hurner previously served as DFG's deputy director for legislative and external affairs, a position he has held since December 2004.

"Greg has done an outstanding job on behalf of the Department of Fish and Game on complex resource protection issues and sensitive negotiations, resulting in tremendous benefits for species conservation," Broddrick said. "With this appointment, Greg will assume an expanded role to advance major initiatives that fulfill DFG's mission and reflect the Governor's policies."

As DFG senior advisor, Hurner will provide counsel on significant policy issues, including water and land management practices, wildlife and agriculture interfaces, and wind energy operations. He will oversee the DFG's Bay Delta restoration and protection programs and its legislative and public affairs and community outreach programs in addition to representing the director on state, national, international and tribal government boards and commissions, and facilitating federal budget and Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) actions related to resource protection.

Hurner currently serves as the lead negotiator on behalf of the State of California for the Klamath Hydroelectric Project (FERC 2082). The FERC 2082 settlement could result in one of the largest river restoration efforts in history.

The Klamath River, once one of the three most productive salmon rivers on the West Coast, has suffered for more than 90 years from four antiquated dams that have blocked access to over 300 miles of habitat. Decreased productivity of the salmon fishery led to the near closure of the 2006 salmon season along more than 700 miles of coastline in California and Oregon.

Media contact: Steve Martarano, DFG Office of Communications, (916) 654-5866