Trout Unlimited Hires North Platte River Project Manager

May 7, 2009

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contacts:

Scott Yates, 307.332.7700, ext. 13
Jeff Streeter, 307.326.8239

Trout Unlimited Hires North Platte River Project Manager

Trout Unlimited (TU) has hired long-time Saratoga resident and North Platte River guide Jeff Streeter to be their North Platte River Project Manager. Mr. Streeter managed the Old Baldy Club Streams and Outdoor Recreation Department for 27 years prior to leaving in 2007.  “We’re excited to have someone of Jeff’s caliber and experience on board,” stated TU Wyoming Water Project Director Scott Yates.

“It’s not often an organization like TU is able to hire someone who really knows a river, and already understands a diverse array of local viewpoints regarding a nationally renowned resource such as the North Platte River,” Yates said. “We think Jeff’s going to be terrific working with a variety of stakeholders and moving forward on the ground with important trout habitat restoration projects.  TU appreciates the long-term financial support of the George B. Storer Foundation to make this important hire possible.”

For the past year, Mr. Streeter worked as a consultant for TU, as the organization reviewed various studies, talked with state and federal resource agencies, ranchers and private landowners, and examined numerous potential on-the-ground project sites in order to help chart a restoration course for the Wyoming portion of the North Platte River, upstream of Interstate 80.  On that section of river—approximately 99 river miles—Jeff and the North Platte Valley Chapter of TU will be partnering with landowners and agencies to design and fund a variety of projects such as restoring fish passage or improving riparian habitat to benefit the wild trout fishery.  “There’s a lot of momentum in the valley,” added Kani Seifert, TU North Platte Valley Chapter President. “Hiring Jeff is a great step to help maintain and expand this momentum.”

“It is rewarding to work on protecting and restoring a trout fishery that is a significant part of my life,” said Streeter. “We have an incredible existing resource in the North Platte. Many people are working hard on vital projects. I look forward to helping initiate additional efforts to better preserve and protect this wild rainbow and brown trout fishery for future generations.”

Trout Unlimited is the nation’s largest coldwater conservation organization, with 140,000 members dedicated to conserving, protecting, and restoring North America’s trout and salmon fisheries and their watersheds. In 2009, Trout Unlimited celebrates its 50th anniversary.

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Date: 5/14/2009