Date: Tue, 02/26/2019 tu-logo-xl.jpg FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Jessica Strickland, California Field Director (830) 515-9917, jstrickland@tu.org Kate Miller, Director of Government Affairs (703) 489-6411, kmiller@tu.org House passes historic public lands protection package Legislation includes new protections for hundreds of thousands of acres of backcountry habitat in California, will better protect key segments of two southern California trout streams (February 26, 2019) NEVADA CITY, Calif. -- Trout Unlimited (TU) and the California Council of Trout Unlimited praised the House of Representatives for passing today the Natural Resources Management Act, a package of public lands bills that will better protect vital habitat for coldwater fish in southern California and permanently reauthorize one of the most effective federal programs ever for conserving habitat and enhancing sporting access. Today’s House vote comes after the Senate voted overwhelmingly on February 12 to pass this carefully crafted legislative package. TU and other sportsmen’s groups celebrated the swift and bi-partisan movement of this package of more than 100 individual bills through both chambers of Congress. The bill now goes to the President’s desk, where he is expected to sign it into law. “This bill is a tribute to the power of collaborative stewardship where communities of place and interest come together to conserve the places they live and the rivers they love to fish,” said Chris Wood, president and CEO of Trout Unlimited. “There is more work to follow, and our efforts to protect and restore the lands and waters that we cherish is never done. But today is a day to celebrate. We offer our true thanks to our members of Congress and their staff who worked hard to advance this historic agreement, and we celebrate the hard work of sportsmen and women in our efforts to protect these special places across the country.” The Natural Resources Management Act includes provisions such as: The California Desert Protection and Recreation Act, which better protects coldwater habitat in some 76 miles of streams, including segments of Deep Creek and the Whitewater River. These waters provide a rare opportunity for stream fishing in Southern California and Deep Creek is one of the region’s few designated Wild Trout streams. The Wilderness and Wild and Scenic River designations conferred by this bill will safeguard and enhance important habitat for fish and other species, fishing and other recreational opportunities, and sources of drinking water for downstream communities. Permanent reauthorization of the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF). Since 1964, the LWCF has been one of the most effective federal programs for conserving habitat and improving sporting opportunity, by leveraging a portion of royalties on offshore energy development into new outdoor recreation opportunities, improved access for anglers and hunters, new recreation infrastructure for communities, and conservation of important habitat areas in all fifty states. Cindy Noble, chair of TU’s California Council, said, “In this era of rapid resource development and warming climate, it’s vital that we protect the best remaining habitat for fish and wildlife and the people who enjoy them. The new Wild and Scenic River designations for segments of Deep Creek and the Whitewater River will help ensure that future generations can continue to enjoy fishing in two of the few trout streams in this region. TU applauds the many congressional leaders who worked for years work to build and pass this legislation, which will help sustain California’s unique sporting heritage.” # # # Trout Unlimited is the nation’s oldest and largest coldwater fisheries conservation organization dedicated to conserving, protecting and restoring North America’s trout and salmon and their watersheds. Follow TU on Facebook and Twitter, Instagram and our blog for all the latest information on trout and salmon conservation.