Washington waterways benefit from passage of public lands bill in Senate

Image by Hannah Dewey

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

February 12, 2019

Contact: Crystal Elliot-Perez, Washington Habitat Director for Trout Unlimited. celliot@tu.org or 509-386-7768
or Lisa Pelly, Washington Water Project director for Trout Unlimited. lpelly@tu.org or 509-630-0467

Washington waterways benefit from passage of public lands bill in Senate

OLYMPIA, Wash. - In response to The Natural Resources Management Act, S. 47, passed today in the U.S. Senate, Trout Unlimited issued the following statements regarding implications for Washingon's Methow Headwaters and Yakima Basin, respectively, included in the bill:

"Today, we are grateful for our Washington U.S. Senators' support for protecting 340,000 acres in the Upper Methow Valley from harmful threats posed by large-scale mining. Some places are too special to mine, and this region is one of them, as it sustains habitat for Endangered Species Act-listed Upper Columbia Chinook, steelhead, and bull trout, as well as a diversity of other native fish. The Methow Valley’s recreational and agricultural economy is dependent upon our clean water, intact landscapes, and healthy fish and wildlife populations. This is the kind of forward-thinking conservation activity our state needs," said Crystal Elliot-Perez of Trout Unlimited.

In response to the inclusion of the Yakima Basin Integrated Plan, Lisa Pelly of Trout Unlimited stated the following:

“The Yakima Basin Integrated Plan is a balanced approach agreed upon by an incredibly diverse coalition of irrigators, farmers, environmental and outdoor enthusiast groups, local, state and federal governments, and the Yakama Nation,” said Lisa Pelly, director of the Washington Water Project for Trout Unlimited. “Senator Cantwell (D-WA) has been tireless in her support for ensuring the language addresses the need for economic and environmental sustainability, meeting the needs of water users, while restoring abundant salmon and steelhead runs and improving habitat for fish and wildlife in the Basin. Many thanks to Senators Cantwell and Murray for their leadership on Eastern Washington natural resource issues.”

"This bill is the product of members of Congress from both the House and the Senate, on both sides of the aisle, working together. Trout Unlimited members across Washington State thank our congressional delegation and hope to see this legislation advance next in the House of Representatives and to the President’s desk for signature," Pelly said.

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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, Twitter, and Instagram and our blog for all the latest information on trout and salmon conservation.