Posted by Hannah Moulton Belec on March 16th, 2010

After nearly a decade of contentious negotiations, farmers, tribes, conservationists and politicians gathered on February 18 to sign the Klamath Basin Restoration Agreement, paving the way to remove the four mainstem Klamath River dams by 2020. The dams have blocked migration and caused toxic algae blooms and deadly fish pathogens, decimating native salmon and steelhead populations. Removal will open 350 miles of habitat in California and Oregon in a river system that used to be among the most productive for salmon.

TU’s California Director Chuck Bonham has been working on the Klamath since 2002, and TU’s Chief Executive Officer Chris Wood credits Bonham for his vision in this “herculean effort.”

Photographer, videographer  and Klamath restoration partner Thomas Dunklin was onhand for the event, and captured these videos.

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger declares, “it’s time to say hasta la vista to the Klamath dams.”

Arnold Schwarzenegger: I’ll be back! from Thomas B. Dunklin on Vimeo.

Yurok Tribe Chair Thomas O’Rourke speaks about what the agreement means for his tribe.

Thomas O’Rourke_Chairman of the Yurok Tribe from Thomas B. Dunklin on Vimeo.

Read more at the Klamath River Restoration Agreement website or watch this KTVU San Francisco news report featuring Bonham. See what’s at stake  first-hand in Dunklin’s underwater salmon photos.

Posted by pdobbyn on March 11th, 2010

Posted by Greg on March 11th, 2010

Colorado River cutthroat from San Juan Mountains

Many important points were made in the Durango Herald’s March 4 article, “Plotting the Alpine Triangle,” a feature that described TU’s plan to gain permanent protection for this scenic, yet fragile parcel of public land high in the San Juan Mountains.  But none was more significant than this one:

“Don Short with the San Juan Trail Riders said he could support the campaign. The club, Short said, has 300 to 400 members, mainly motorcycle and ATV buffs, who frequently ride in the Alpine Triangle. ”

That’s huge news. Because motorized users across the country are well known for rejecting almost any land use designation or policy change, fearing limitations on their ability to ride their vehicles on public lands. TU’s plan for the Alpine Triangle, renowned for it’s “Alpine Loop” trail and easy access for motorcycles, jeeps and OHV’s, envisions permanent federal protection for the area, and the creation of three new wilderness areas, where motorized use is prohibited by law.

But this campaign, put together by TU’s Sportsmen’s Conservation Project , is different. It’s a collaborative effort, built from the grassroots, and motorized users have been invited to the table alongside hunters, anglers, small businessmen, local officials and anyone else who has an interest in keeping this area much as it is now. All parties involved are working to ensure that the best qualities of the Alpine Triangle are preserved for the future. And that’s the whole point, as Short will tell you:

“We four-wheel all over that country just goofing off for a day,” said Short. “We’re a club that wants to keep the area for everyone to enjoy the benefits of the outdoors.”

Read the article here.

Posted by chunt on March 11th, 2010

Perhaps the most fundamental message TU’s Sportsmen’s Conservation Project tries to purvey to TU members and other unaffiliated hunters and anglers across the West is “keep it like it is.”

When you think about it, much of our nation’s remaining high-quality fishing and hunting occurs on public lands in the Rockies, and protecting these opportunities is generally as simple as protecting the status quo. That’s the case with the Alpine Triangle in southwest Colorado, where a host of uses on public lands attract about 300,000 people to the region every year. The SCP’s campaign to “keep it like it is” in the Alpine Triangle is gaining some traction among all users of this fantastic country, and the Durango Herald made note of it in a recent editorial.

We’re proud of our cooperative approach to conservation in the West, and the Alpine Triangle campaign is the latest example of how TU and the SCP work to protect habit. And, as we all know, intact habitat translates directly into opportunity, especially if you’re an angler or a hunter.

Check out the video featuring the SCP’s Ty Churchwell, as he explains where the Triangle is, and what we’re trying to accomplish in this fantastic country.

Posted by pdobbyn on March 5th, 2010

Trout Unlimited has launched a media campaign in Alaska’s population centers — Fairbanks, Anchorage, Kenai and Juneau — aimed at raising awareness about the threats to Bristol Bay from the proposed Pebble mine. The television, radio, print and online ads will run until early September.

Watch a sample TV spot.

Posted by emooney on March 2nd, 2010

The West Virginia TU council voted to ban drilling in the Monongahela National Forest– an area with some of the best last remaining brook trout populations in the East. This is the first time a TU council has taken a position on protecting critical habitat in regards to Marcellus Shale.

Protecting the Mon is incredibly important…having the West Virginia council take a stance on illustrates just how special this place is.

Read the press release

Posted by chunt on February 26th, 2010

As a last resort, the Utah Council of Trout Unlimited might have to take the U.S. Forest Service to court to protect fish and game habitat in the Uinta National Forest from what we perceive to be illegal oil and natural gas development in the Diamond Fork drainage and near Strawberry Reservoir.

Here’s the rub: When the Forest Service allowed the leasing of the area a few years back, it allowed energy companies to lease land based on a 1997 environmental impact statement. Never mind that new rules were put in place in 2003 that were meant to protect riparian habitat along streams. In TU’s opinion, the rules put forth in 2003 should have been followed, and, quite honestly, they would have helped ensure responsible development of our fossil fuels in that region.

The 1997 EIS has no stipulations for riparian protection. That’s not good enough when you’re talking about the stellar fisheries habitat in Diamond Fork Canyon that includes a reintroduced stronghold of Bonneville cutthroat trout. Strawberry Reservoir is Utah’s No. 1 recreational fishery–trashing the habitat around the reservoir, including some vital spawning streams for kokanee salmon and cutthroat trout–is not something TU members in Utah are too keen on.

But, as is almost always the case, going to court is a last resort. TU has attempted to sit down with some of the lease holders, and we’re sensing signs of life.  But we’re not willing to compromise irreplacable fisheries in the region, especially when the rules in place support our position. Stay tuned.

Posted by rscholfield on February 25th, 2010

 At a time when the state of Idaho is studying a proposal to rebuild Teton Dam and destroy the beautiful Teton Canyon, the Bureau of Land Management is studying a proposal to protect the canyon as a Wild and Scenic river.

This is a no-brainer for anyone who cares about wild places and wild trout. Take action today: Write the BLM and let them know you want this rugged, spectacular canyon protected for future generations.

Posted by emooney on February 25th, 2010

The first issue of the online magazine, The Contemporary Sportsman, has been published, and it has arrived right on time, when winter seems interminable and tying flies isn’t fully curing the need to get out and wet a line. With 178 pages full of gorgeous photos and solid content about fly fishing, conservation, travel, food, wine and art, it’s a must-read for anyone who likes to fish, hunt, eat or drink.

Posted by emooney on February 22nd, 2010

TU mourns the passing of a great friend, Sam Hamilton, Director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). Hamilton, 54, died on February 20 of an apparent heart attack while skiing in Keystone, Colo.

Hamilton had served in the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for more than 30 years, including in a number of positions where he worked directly with TU volunteers and staff.
“Sam Hamilton was a warm, engaging, splendid conservationist,” said Steve Moyer, TU’s vice president of government affairs. He was a leader in moving our nation’s fish and wildlife conservation efforts toward a landscape scale approach. But what he did best was build lasting partnerships. Sam was gifted at getting diverse interests to work together for the benefit of fish and wildlife resources.” Continue reading this post…