The News
SF man pleads guilty to poaching stealhead Monday, 01 February 2010 16:34 |  |  | 
http://www.mercurynews.com/search/ci_14273050?The Associated Press Posted: 01/26/2010 05:18:16 PM PSTUpdated: 01/26/2010 05:18:17 PM PST SAN FRANCISCO—A San Francisco man is facing possible prison time after pleading guilty to federal charges of poaching steelhead trout by blocking a stream. Prosecutors say Luke Brugnara pleaded guilty Tuesday to two counts of violating the Endangered Species Act, as well as two counts of making false statements to game wardens. In pleading guilty, the 46-year-old Brugnara admitted to blocking the stream by closing off a dam on property he owns in Gilroy. Closing the dam trapped steelhead trout returning from the ocean. Steelhead have been listed as a threatened species in the area since 1997. Prosecutors say Brugnara is facing five years in prison and fines for each false statement charge, as well as six months and fines for each count of violating the Endangered Species Act. He's scheduled to be sentenced May 5. Last Updated (Monday, 01 February 2010 17:19) |
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Workers with Coastal Habitat Education & Environmental Restoration regularly visit the stretch of Uvas Creek west of Santa Teresa Boulevard, where a dozen or so homeless people camp outside the gates of Eagle Ridge. Volunteers routinely pick up crack pipes, syringes, batteries, broken bottles, sodden clothes and other junk littering the creek bank. They filled two truck beds this past month - the most important time to clean because recent showers not only facilitate the endangered steelhead trout CHEER is trying to save, they also wash rubbish into the creek that flows into the Pajaro River and ultimately the Monterey Bay.