TU Newsletter - June 2009

Dear Friends:

Throughout this year we'll be celebrating Trout Unlimited's (TU's) 50 years of conservation, kicking things off at the Grand Traverse Resort and Lodge in Traverse City, Michigan, the week of August 17. 

Not far from Traverse City is the Au Sable River where a group of Michigan anglers founded TU in 1959.  One year later, one of its founding members, Art Neumann, an extraordinary local rod-maker, spoke before the state legislature.  Neumann said few people "believe that [Trout Unlimited members] are seriously interested in anything other than trout."  Neumann explained that basic soil and water conservation benefit farmers and logging companies, and how fighting pollution protects drinking water supplies. He concluded, "Therefore," TU advocates "the principles of basic conservation in the firm conviction…it is essential not only to the perpetuation of trout fishing but to the preservation of our way of life as well."

One of the distinguishing features of TU at 50 is that we've never lost sight of Neumann's belief that at its root conservation is about people—people, not land, or water, or even trout.  The founding members of TU recognized that only by educating, organizing, and mobilizing people to care about clean water and healthy landscapes could we ever hope to maintain abundant wild and native fish in our homewaters. 

So, look at your calendar, talk with your spouse and friends, and plan on joining us in Traverse City to celebrate the wonderful legacy of Art Neumann and his visionary colleagues. Come and celebrate the outstanding work of 50 years, and be a part of helping us chart the course for the next 50. Log into www.tu50.org [1] to register and set your accommodations.

And while you are on the website, buy one of only 125 raffle tickets for a sweet ClackaCraft drift boat valued at over $9,500.  Go to the award section of the site and recommend an outstanding chapter or volunteer for an award.  And, check the site regularly for updates on activites and raffles. It would be wonderful if every TU chapter could send at least one representative to the celebration in Traverse City.  You are the people who have made TU a conservation powerhouse.  Take a few days to celebrate your great work.  I'm bringing my family, and hope to see you there. 

Thanks for all you do for TU, and please stay in touch.

Chris Wood, Trout Unlimited, Chief Operating Officer
cwood@tu.org [2] |  direct line: 703-284-9403

Conservation Highlight—Protect, Reconnect, Restore, Sustain

PROTECT: Southeast Alaska Will Ban Felt Sole Waders in 2011 [3]
Alaska took a major step this year toward preventing the spread of aquatic invasive species. In response to a proposal by Juneau Trout Unlimited Chapter Member, Mark Vinsel, the state Board of Fisheries agreed to ban the use of felt sole waders in Southeast Alaska’s freshwater streams as of January 1, 2011. »read more [4]

In Black Canyon, A New Era of Water Management [5]
The rebirth of a Colorado river began last month, as water officials started to put the landmark 2008 Black Canyon of the Gunnison settlement into effect. On May 7, U.S. Bureau of Reclamation (BOR) operators made the first release in a new flow regime that is expected to help restore the Gunnison River canyon ecosystem and return it to a more natural state.»read more [5]

SUSTAIN: TU partners with Outdoor Life on Save-A-Stream [6]
TU is partnering with Outdoor Life magazine on our national stream clean-up [7] day, June 13.  As part of Outdoor Life's Save-A-Stream program, the magazine is challenging individuals to seek out and revive local fisheries. Visit www.outdoorlife.com/saveastream [6] for more information and to enter a stream in your area that needs help.  Deadline for entries is June 30, 2009.  Submissions will receive a free stream cleaning kit (while supplies last), and have an opportunity to appear in a future issue of the magazine. »learn more [6]

Get Involved

LEGISLATIVE UPDATE
The first 100 days of the Obama Administration have come and gone and we are busy tracking a number of positive policy changes both in the administration and on the Hill. The biggest issue is climate change—a substantial and historic energy and climate bill has been approved in the House Energy and Commerce Committee and is now awaiting floor consideration. We are pleased with the outcome of this legislation – it includes both an appropriate cap on carbon emissions as well as dedicated funding from the auction of permits for state and federal natural resource programs that will increase fish and wildlife population resilience in the face of unavoidable climate change in the coming years.  Securing funding for fish and wildlife habitat was a major victory for us and others in the conservation community.  The 900-page bill contains other opportunities for coldwater conservation, such as programs to increase carbon sequestration, and other hazards, such as the push to increase production of biofuels. Chairman Henry Waxman, Representative Ed Markey, and Representative John Dingell have all demonstrated skillful leadership in guiding the bill through committee.  Stay tuned for more information and a call to action as the bill moves to the House floor.

Another issue that we have been working closely on is the Clean Water Restoration Act which is nearing a mark-up in the Senate. We are hopeful that we can restore the protection of the Clean Water Act for wetlands and streams to what it was prior to the arrival of unfavorable Supreme Court decisions in 2001 and 2006.  We’re hopeful that the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee will approve a measure developed by Senator Russ Feingold and send it to the Senate floor this summer. »TU's online action center [8]
 

UPCOMING TU EVENTS
June 13
TU National Stream Clean Up Day

June 15
National Awards Nominations Due

June 30
Deadline for Outdoor Life's Save-A-Stream Submission - Learn more [9]

July 14
Online Conservation Project Training: Conservation Project Planning Overview 8 p.m. EDT - To register [10]     

August 4
Online Conservation Project Training: Streambank Stabilization and Riparian Restoration 8 p.m. EDT - To register [10]

August 17 - 23
TU's 50th Anniversary Celebration [1] - Traverse City, MI

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Want to suggest an event for our next newsletter? 
»Submit a calendar event suggestion online [11]