Another opportunity to get involved, remember water is habitat-

American Rivers WA Activists
URGENT ALERT - River Flow Protection Bill !
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Breaking news: This Tuesday Jan 27th from 10 to noon in Olympia, the
House natural resources committee will consider two bills to restore water to our rivers and streams.

The conservation community helped write the bill the only bill that
will work. It is IMPERATIVE that the House committee hears from river and fish advocates around the state this week! They will decide by Friday.

THE MESSAGE: Support House Bill 2393 and don't water it down!

BACKGROUND:
Washington State has issued so many water rights that our rivers
would disappear if they were all used. There are currently 250,000 water rights on paper, and another 250,000 to 500,000 unregulated domestic wells.
This over-use of our rivers is leading towards extinction of endangered
Species, causing the lowest water quality ever measured in many parts of the state, and harming the public's ability to use and enjoy rivers. The time has come to restore and protect Washington's rivers and streams for all of us and for the future.

Suggested talking points --
Please use your own words:

First, be sure to identify one or more rivers or creeks that you
Care about or know well, that you fish or boat in, use for drinking water, etc.

Second, urge them to pass HB 2393 out of committee as written because:

1) HB 2393 sets FIRM DEADLINES for setting and achieving flows - and
consequences for failing to achieve them [whereas HB 2396, the weak
bill, falls short of deadlines and relies on "process" rather than results],

2) HB 2393 emphasizes the importance of preserving the statewide
PUBLIC TRUST in instream flows.

3) HB 2393 incorporates SOUND SCIENCE and more comprehensive
independent scientific review at all crucial steps, and

4) HB 2393 provides a stable source of REVENUE to fund the setting
and achievement of instream flows by requiring all water right holders to pay a water use fee. HB 2396 has no funding attached.

WHO TO CALL (or E-MAIL)

It is critical that members of the House Committee hear from you now.
1. Chairwoman Kelli Linville, (360) 786-7854
linville_ke@leg.wa.gov She's got her own bill and it's just *not* good enough -- don't let her compromise HB 2393.

2. Representative Sam Hunt, (360) 786-7992 hunt_sa@leg.wa.gov
3. Representative Joe McDermott, (360) 786-7952
mcdermot_jo@leg.wa.gov

Note: Reps. Hunt and McDermott co-sponsored the good bill (2393) --
Tell them how much you love rivers, thank them for working with the
Environmental community and encourage them to hang tough.

Send a copy of your letter to your own representatives.
You can find their contact info at
http://www.leg.wa.gov/house/default.htm

FOR MORE INFORMATION

Please contact:
Ross Freeman, American Rivers, NW Office, rfreeman@amrivers.org,
206-213-0330
For information about HB 2393, go to www.leg.wa.gov, click on "Bill
Info", then type in "2393"

I was looking for a worthy non-profit environmental organization a few months ago. I looked at Trout Unlimited and a few groups that were supported by TU. I don't like TU because they want to do away with hatcheries and eliminate hatchery steelhead. I did some reasearch on American Rivers and gave them a tax deductible cash contribution. I am willing to support American Rivers by writing my congressman in support of this bill. We need to stand up against Bush and all of the fish he's killing by diverting water when the fish need to move upriver. I was sickened over the large Chinook kill in the Klamath river.

You can thank American Rivers and TU for the screwed up mess that the Cowlitz is now in! Both American Rivers and TU are opposed to hatchery fish. That is why the new FHMP on the Cowlitz is now cutting back on so many of the hatchery fish.

If you check the Settlement Agreement , you will see that the only "sport" organizations" to sign it was TU and AM!!

If I was you, I would ask for my check back, and try another organization that isn't so two faced like American Rivers is.

I worked closely for 3 years with both of these groups during the relicensing of the Cowlitz and found out what they truly are all about.

You would NEVER get me to support or work with either one those groups again. They cut more back door deals then you can even imagine. Tacoma actually paid American Rivers to participate in the Cowlitz Relicensing process when no other groups were compensated for there participation! That you tell you something!

Cowlitzfisherman

Cowlitz, Like the note asked, call your legislator if you believe this is an important issue. The notice was posted as an opportunity for anglers to get involved and do something that might help the fish, not a soap box for you discuss your displeasure with a couple organizations. Please start another thread if you feel the way you do.

Who knows maybe these two groups may have been supporting your interest recently at the Springer Commisions hearings, not sure about AR, but pretty sure TU was there. Please remember there is life outside the Cowlitz River. Thank-You