The confirmation hearing of Fish & Game Commissioner Jim Kellogg is scheduled for Wednesday before the Senate Rules Committee chaired by Sen. Darrell Steinberg. Other members are Sens. Hannah-Beth Jackson, Ricardo Lara, Jean Fuller and Bill Emmerson. Letters of opposition are needed now. (Email pattern for all: senator.steinberg@senate.gov.)

Assemblyman Ben Hueso’s AB 2609 became law on Jan. 1, requiring that Fish & Game commissioners meet certain criteria. Mr. Kellogg does not qualify.

Worse, he claims that spent lead shot is harmless to condors and other wildlife (false); supports the unethical use of electronic duck decoys (“roboducks”); and missed the October commission meeting to go hunting (missing an important vote on the status of the gray wolf). Last month, he voted to send the live animal food market issue to the Legislature, abdicating his and the commission’s responsibility. Our wildlife deserves better.

Urge Gov. Brown to rescind this unfortunate appointment. The term of Commissioner Dan Richards expires this month, and that of Richard Rogers expired months ago. Time for some new faces.

In more than 140 years, there have been only two women appointees. How about a wildlife biologist, a non-consumptive user, maybe a former game warden who knows the laws?