Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: 05/28/03

Contact person(s):

Media Coordinator, Donna Edwards - 565-3099 Media Spokesperson, Chief Deputy Larry Scoufos Deputy District Attorney: Jeffrey W. Holtzman 565-3148

Santa Rosa, Sonoma County, California

DEPUTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY RECEIVES NOAA AWARD

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NOAA Fisheries) will present Deputy District Attorney Jeffrey W. Holtzman with a recognition award on Thursday, May 29, 2003, for his exceptional diligence in pursuing and prosecuting environmental crimes that affect species listed under the Endangered Species Act (ESA).

During the past several years, Mr. Holtzman has worked closely with the NOAA Fisheries Office for Law Enforcement and the Protected Resources Division in Santa Rosa to pursue and prosecute companies and individuals that cause harm to sensitive fisheries habitat for salmon and steelhead listed as threatened under the ESA.

“Jeff Holtzman has been steadfast in supporting our efforts to increase compliance with laws that are instrumental in bringing back steelhead and salmon to the Russian River and its tributaries,” said Dan Torquemada, Assistant Special Agent In Charge, NOAA Fisheries Office for Law enforcement – Southwest Division.

Mr. Holtzman has been especially active in prosecuting those companies or individuals that have caused large sediment discharges into waterways used by salmon and steelhead for migration, spawning or rearing purposes. He has also significantly raised the issue of “summer dams” and the legal requirements required for their use.

“Jeff has not only prosecuted illegal summer dam cases, he has also increased public awareness and education of the problem they pose to species utilizing the waterways,” said Patrick Rutten, supervisor of the NOAA Fisheries Protected Resources Division in Santa Rosa. “And that’s extremely important,” he continued, “because many
biologists believe that these dams, over time, have cumulatively been a
significant factor in the decline of salmon and steelhead populations in this area.”

Deputy District Attorney Holtzman has been a member of the Sonoma County District Attorney’s Office since 1989, and presently is assigned to the Environmental and Consumer Law Division. He has been active for over ten years in prosecuting those responsible for violating environmental laws designed to protect federally listed salmonids, and other species of wildlife dependant on healthy waterways. “Mr. Holtzman has greatly contributed to establishing Sonoma County as a leader in environmental prosecution throughout the State of California and the nation”, said Sonoma County District Attorney Stephan R. Passalacqua.

The informal presentation will be held at the following location and time:

Where: 600 Administration Drive, Santa Rosa, CA Rm 212 J
When: Thursday, May 29, 2003
Time: 2:00 p.m.

News media desiring to attend should advise Jim Milbury of NOAA Fisheries (562) 980-4006 or Donna (707) 565-3099 to coordinate access to the meeting room.