Date: Tue, 01/19/2016 Bookcliffs.jpg For immediate release Jan. 19, 2016 TU encouraged with discussion draft on Utah Public Lands Initiative Bill Contacts: Andy Rasmussen, Utah Coordinator for Trout Unlimited’s Sportsmen’s Conservation Project, 435-760-0089 arasmussen@tu.org Brett Prettyman, Intermountain Communications Director for Trout Unlimited, 801-209-5320 bprettyman@tu.org SALT LAKE CITY — After several years of collaboration aimed at building consensus around a Utah Public Lands Initiative Bill, Trout Unlimited is encouraged to see a discussion draft to be released Wednesday. We commend Rep. Rob Bishop, R-UT and Sen. Jason Chaffetz, R-UT, for their efforts to create an inclusive discussion draft with input from a variety of stakeholders across Utah. Trout Unlimited, as part of a broad sportsmen’s coalition, has been offering input to Congressman Bishop’s office during the drafting process. Trout Unlimited and sportsmen across Utah will be closely reviewing the discussion draft and evaluating its impacts on coldwater resources, public lands and sporting values. Andy Rasmussen, Trout Unlimited’s Utah Coordinator for the Sportsmen’s Conservation Project, has been an active participant in the process. “In a time often characterized by rancor and rigid ideology surrounding public lands issues, Congressman Bishop’s Public Lands Initiative is an encouraging development,” Rasmussen said. “Collaboration is the best model for long-term protection of the American public’s resources and we appreciate Congressman Bishop's commitment to that process. We are optimistic that the open dialogue and inclusive process will continue as we work toward a bill we can enthusiastically support.” # # # 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, and visit us online at tu.org