Help protect rivers like the McCloud and Merced. Urge your Representative to oppose H.R. 3964
CalTrout sent the following letter to the U.S. House of Representatives yesterday in opposition of H.R. 3964 and to protect the National Wild & Scenic Rivers Act.
February 4, 2014United States House of Representatives
Washington DC 20515Re: Oppose H.R. 3964
Dear Representative:
CalTrout urges you to oppose H.R. 3964.
For almost 50 years, the National Wild & Scenic Rivers Act has protected a few free-flowing segments of rivers with outstanding natural and cultural values to specifically balance the nation’s dam development policy on many other rivers. Removing federal protection from a portion of the Merced directly contradicts the purpose of the Act and sets a dangerous and unacceptable precedent for other protected rivers throughout the nation, including the McCloud River in California.
H.R. 3964 is a reactionary bill over drought distress in California. We can sympathize but H.R. 3964 is misdirected and harmful to the State and Federal Endangered Species Acts, the San Joaquin River Settlement, the National Environmental Policy Act, California water law and other state laws, responsibilities to other more senior legal users of water, and now our nation’s National Wild & Scenic Rivers System.
On behalf of California anglers, we ask you to reaffirm our nation’s commitment to our National Wild & Scenic Rivers system by opposing HR 3964.
Thank you.
Sincerely,
Jeffrey Thompson
Executive Director
