Trump monuments order affects native trout, popular fisheries in California, SW Oregon

Native Redband trout, Jenny Creek, Cascade Siskiyou National Monument.

Yesterday President Trump issued an Executive Order (EO) requiring the Department of the Interior to review all national monuments designated since 1996 which are (a) over 100,000 acres in size; (b) were expanded during that time so as to cover more than 100,000 acres; or (c) were designated “without adequate public outreach or coordination with relevant stakeholders.”

The purpose of this review is to determine whether any of these designations should be modified, reduced or eliminated.

The president’s EO is of serious concern, especially since it comes on the heels of orders directing the federal government to prioritize domestic energy development and rolling back the Clean Water Rule. TU’s response thus far includes a joint press release with Backcountry Hunters & Anglers, the National Wildlife Federation, and the American Fly Fishing Trade Association, and this blog post from Corey Fisher, senior policy director for TU’s Sportsmen’s Conservation Project.

alt=”” title=”” />(L) East Fork San Gabriel River, San Gabriel Mountains National Monument

In California and southern Oregon, there are seven monuments that will be considered under the review. Several of these offer cold water fishing opportunities or are strongholds for native trout, including Cascade-Siskiyou, San Gabriel Mountains, Berryessa Snow Mountain, and Sand to Snow national monuments. TU members and other sportsmen and women have strongly supported designation of these monuments.

Many of our nation’s best cold water fisheries are found on, or have their source in, public lands. TU is committed to protecting and conserving the cold water habitat and sporting opportunities found in our national forests, national parks, BLM lands, and in areas with special designations such as Wild & Scenic Rivers and National Monuments.

Go here for a summary of the Trump EO on monuments and why it matters to sportsmen and women. And Take Action yourself.

Want to learn more about national monuments and the Antiquities Act?

By Sam Davidson. Sam Davidson hired on at Trout Unlimited in 2003, and has served as communications director for TU’s Western Water Project, field director for TU’s public…