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In This Issue
Izaak Walton League of America Turns 90!
Aware that action – not just talk – would be necessary to solve these problems, the group formed an organization to combat water pollution and protect the country's woods and wildlife. Ninety years and many victories later, the 39,000 members of the Izaak Walton League of America are responding to today's conservation challenges and building on the accomplishments of those who preceded them. Over the course of this year, we will celebrate the League's many achievements at the local, state, and national levels and look forward to the next decade ... and beyond. We will provide updates in Conservation Currents e-newsletters and in Outdoor America magazine. And you can visit us on the Web for updates and resources at www.iwla.org/90. Back to top
League Clean Air Victory
Existing power plants release 48 tons of mercury into the air each year. Many states have issued advisories warning women and children – and in some cases, all citizens – to avoid or limit their intake of freshwater fish because many fish are contaminated with mercury. In addition, coal- and oil-fired power plants emit enormous quantities of lead, arsenic, and other hazardous chemicals. "We applaud EPA for taking this step to protect public health and the environment," says Nancy Lange, Director of the League's Energy Program. "This standard is long overdue, and the American people have been paying the price with their health. More than half our nation's coal-fired power plants have already upgraded their facilities to scrub mercury out of their emissions. It's time for the rest to follow suit." Read more on the League Web site ...
The most serious threat was a proposal to slash $50 million from a budget of about $72 million for on-the-ground restoration projects. These projects create and restore habitat, which directly contributes to species recovery and indirectly supports the broader outdoor recreation economy across the region. A cut of this magnitude would have devastated recovery efforts. Thanks in part to League engagement, this proposal was rejected and Congress provided more than $71 million for recovery projects and programs. On the other hand, the final budget for 2012 includes two provisions blocking the Army Corps of Engineers from spending any funds on two critical studies. One provision stalls development of the Missouri River Ecosystem Restoration Plan, a long-term plan to restore fish and wildlife habitat in and along the river. The second blocks funding for the Missouri River Authorized Purposes Study, which would review the fundamental tenets of Missouri River management for the first time since 1944. These short-sighted provisions do not address the root causes of the flooding but directly undermine ongoing and long-overdue efforts to improve and modernize river restoration and management. We'll need the active support of League members in 2012 as we work to convince Congress to fund these studies – both of which are critical to restoring fish and wildlife habitat and increasing outdoor recreational opportunities on the river. Many thanks to those of you who contacted your members of Congress during the recent budget battle. Back to top
Conservation Funding Spared Deepest Cuts but Budget Ax Looms Large In the waning days of December, Congress passed a federal budget for 2012. The good news is that critical conservation programs were spared some of the deep and damaging cuts proposed earlier in the year. However, these same investments – which support outdoor recreation, public land management, and fish and wildlife conservation – will be on the chopping block again this year. Congress is required by law to cut annual domestic spending in 2013 by more than $38 billion (defense and programs such as Medicare must also be trimmed by tens of billions of dollars), and conservation will absorb some of these cuts.
The League and many other hunting, angling, and conservation groups rallied in strong opposition to steep conservation cuts last year, and the message reached Capital Hill. As a new budget season begins next month, we'll need to demonstrate the same resolve and level of engagement to maintain investments that boost our economy and conserve the resources important to us. Back to top
National Award Nominations Now Open Volunteers are the heart of the Izaak Walton League. Recognize the outstanding volunteers in your chapter and the outstanding work you have done over the past year. It's quick and easy. And you deserve to be recognized!
Visit the League's National Awards Web page for nomination forms and more details. Questions? Contact Tara Scibelli at (800) IKE-LINE (453-5463) x255 or e-mail chapters@iwla.org. Back to top
IWLA National Scholarships Do you know a college student studying conservation or an environment-related major? The Izaak Walton League offers two $2,500 scholarships for qualified college juniors or seniors. Specific requirements are available on the League Web site.
These scholarships are made possible through the generous support of the Izaak Walton League of America Endowment. Back to top
Free Entry to National Parks
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