Rep. Huffman: SFSU Should Work with Tiburon Salmon Institute

June 11, 2015

WASHINGTON, D.C.-Congressman Jared Huffman (D-San Rafael) today released the following statement objecting to the abrupt attempted eviction of the Tiburon Salmon Institute by the new Director of the Romberg Tiburon Center and called on San Francisco State University (SFSU) President Leslie Wong to reverse the decision:

"The Tiburon Salmon Institute is managing an effort launched 42 years ago by fisheries conservationists to rear and release salmon smolts into the salmon migration path off the shoreline at the Romberg Tiburon Center. For many years, the Institute has educated thousands of students and community members throughout the San Francisco Bay Area about salmon and their dwindling habitat.

"Last week a new Director at the Romberg Center attempted to abruptly evict the Institute and put its continued existence in jeopardy, to the great disappointment and dismay of me and dozens of community leaders, elected officials, conservation and fishing groups, and countless students and families who support the Institute's work.

"My longtime support and high regard for the Romburg Tiburon Center and SFSU has been shaken by the mishandling of this situation and by the SFSU administration's refusal to listen to its Romberg Advisory Board and the growing chorus of opposition throughout the Bay Area -- people and organizations who are simply asking SFSU to be reasonable and try to work something out with this cherished community-supported Institute.

"I know that a growing number of SFSU's loyal alumni and supporters especially in Marin County are watching and hoping that Pres. Wong exercises his leadership to make this situation right. It is not too late for that to happen. I've offered my assistance to SFSU in arranging a meeting with the Tiburon Salmon Institute to convey any reasonable concerns the university has and discuss how the Institute could work to resolve them.  So far, SFSU has declined such a meeting offering only to discuss the terms of eviction.

“I will keep urging Pres. Wong and SFSU officials to reconsider, to listen to the community, and to give the 42-year legacy of salmon conservation and environmental education at Romberg a chance to continue."

Last week, Huffman sent a letter to President Wong urging SFSU to give the Tiburon Salmon Institute a chance to stay at Romberg. Similar letters have been sent by State Senator Mike McGuire, Assemblymember Jim Wood, the Marin County Board of Supervisors, the Sonoma County Water Agency, Marin Municipal Water District, Trout Unlimited, Golden Gate Salmon Association, the Pacific Coast Federation of Fishermen's Associations, and many others. An online petition at change.org has garnered more than 600 signatures in just a few days. Huffman's letter can be found HERE.

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