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In This Issue
Progress Made To Restore Clean Water Protections
Although this is certainly good news, the road to fully restoring clean water protections is long and riddled with potholes. Some members of Congress spent 2011 trying to block any effort to restore Clean Water Act protections for small streams, wetlands, and drinking water supplies. We're preparing for similar attacks this year. Even with new guidance in place, many waters – especially prairie potholes and other seasonal wetlands – will remain at risk of being drained and filled. To better protect resources that are essential to ducks, high-quality hunting, and flood control, EPA and the Corps need to propose new Clean Water Act regulations. Stay tuned to Conservation Currents and Action Alerts from the League for updates on this issue and ways you can help protect the water resources that are critical to our outdoor sports and recreation. Back to top
President's Budget a Mixed Bag for Conservation
The administration's budget represents a mixed bag on issues that are important to the League. On one hand, the proposed budget would continue investments in long-standing priority areas such as restoring the Great Lakes and Chesapeake Bay. It would also allocate additional resources to pressing new issues, including more robust research on the impacts of hydraulic fracturing on air and water quality, surface and groundwater resources, and local communities. On the other hand, the proposed budget follows a disturbing trend of cutting Farm Bill conservation programs – cuts that undermine wetland, grassland, and habitat conservation across millions of acres. Please visit the League's Web site for a detailed summary of budget provisions related to League priorities. In the coming weeks, League staff will provide testimony to Congress regarding our budget priorities and send out Action Alerts on critical funding issues that need your support. Back to top
Missouri River Land Protection Plan: Comments Due March 16 The Missouri River has lost nearly three million acres of habitat due to the creation of six reservoirs and a navigation channel. This has led to declines in native fish and wildlife, including three species listed as threatened or endangered under the federal Endangered Species Act. The League is working to restore the river as part of our Missouri River Initiative.
Through the plan, FWS and NPS staff would work with landowners to set aside land for recreation or fish and wildlife habitat using easements and fee-title purchases. Funding would come from the Land and Water Conservation Fund, North American Wetlands Conservation Act grants, and other sources. The proposal requires approval from both the NPS and FWS regional directors. The public comment period runs through March 16, and the League encourages our members and supporters to voice their support for this conservation initiative. To submit comments or to learn more about the issue, visit the National Park Service Web site. For sample comment language, visit the League's Web site. Back to top
Opportunity To Comment on Mississippi River Structures
In addition to damaging fish and wildlife habitat, there is significant evidence that these structures increase flood heights and contribute to flood damage downstream. Despite this evidence, the Army Corps of Engineers has continued building river training structures – with limited outside involvement or opportunities for public comment – by relying on environmental assessments that date back to the 1970s. However, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) recently found this practice to be a violation of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). GAO is now requiring the Corps to prepare a new environmental assessment for river training structures in the middle Mississippi River – the stretch between where the Missouri and Ohio Rivers drain into the Mississippi. Opportunity for public comment is part of the environmental assessment process. The Corps is asking that public comments be submitted by mid-March, and the League encourages all members and supporters to weigh in on this issue to help improve the health of the Mississippi River and its value to fish and wildlife and the American people. Visit the League Web site for talking points. You can e-mail your comments to RiverTrainingStructures@usace.army.mil. Back to top
Streaming Data Into Creak Freaks Site Many League members and chapters run water quality monitoring programs – they're the League's calling card. The data you collect is an important tool for educating your community about water quality issues and steps the public can take to improve local waterways. But how can you make this data publicly accessible?
The online data entry forms match those used for the League's Save Our Streams program. Once your program is in the database, you can easily link to it from your Chapter Web site and other stream monitor Web sites to make the data accessible to volunteers and help recruit new volunteers to your program. It's easy to get started. Visit www.creekfreaks.net and create your own login. Check the box that indicates you would like to be a program leader and include your program name (it could be your League chapter, your stream monitoring group, or something fun you create) and your city/state in the comment line. We will set up your Creek Freaks Web page and turn the controls over to you! Back to top
Last Call for Tobin and Chapter Award Nominations Don't miss the March 15 deadline for two national League awards, one for your most outstanding chapter volunteer and one for your chapter.
Defenders Chapter Achievement Awards: This award recognizes outstanding chapters across the country that embody the League's motto: "Defenders of soil, air, woods, waters, and wildlife." These chapters showcase the depth of the conservation commitment among Izaak Walton League chapters. 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 Scholarship Deadline: April 1
These scholarships are made possible through the generous support of the Izaak Walton League of America Endowment. |
90 Years of Defending Outdoor America To commemorate the League's 90th anniversary, we are proud to announce our "$90 for 90" campaign. Donate $90 or more to the League, and you will receive our limited-edition Snapshots in Conservation anthology.
Your contribution will also support the League's national conservation work. Please visit the League Web site for more information. Support the League Through a Gift in Your Will One of the simplest ways to make a gift to the League is through your will. Bequests can take the form of cash, securities, life insurance, land, or buildings. Please visit our Web site for details and a free brochure on how to set up your bequest. Resource of the Month: IWLA Chapter Brochures Want to get the word out about your chapter? Our IWLA chapter brochure template is free and easy to use. Pre-printed color brochures offer background information on the League with space for you to highlight your chapter activities.
Visit the League Web site for an order form and downloadable templates. Take Action Not a Member? To join the Izaak Walton League, click here. We are proud of our rating from the American Institute of Philanthropy. Follow the Izaak Walton League on Contact Information If you have any questions about this newsletter or other IWLA programs, please contact: Founded in 1922, the |
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