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Conservation Corner
by Heath Wakelee
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Time to pass the torch. Your new VP Conservation is Bill Templin, a man I met a few years ago and someone for whom I have great respect. Bill is both highly dedicated and committed to protecting and preserving the American River Watershed. He has a “water” background and can describe almost every bug in the water, but even more interesting is his vast knowledge of where those bugs are and where the fish are that are feeding on them.
My chief undertaking these past two years has been trying to motivate all GBF club members to spend at least four (4) hours per year on conservation matters. Some club members spend a lot more than 4 hours a month on conservation issues and others perhaps don’t get all their hours in each year. Along the way we offered two hours for making one telephone call to support or defeat an issue and two hours to write one letter. Note that I’m not saying that you must support the GBF position – just get involved! Learn about an issue and make a statement. You will make a difference.
In June there were some significant “Wins.” Salmon in Oregon were kept on the Endangered Specie List (vs. demoted to the Threatened List), and hatchery fish are no longer going to be counted in recovery surveys when taking counts of “native fish.” The water pumps to Southern California were closed for a few days in deference to the Delta Smelt and we are pleased that water is becoming a hotter issue in California. We may not think that the water in the Delta is important to us – but - where does that water come from? If there is a salinity change in the Delta, more fresh water will have to come from the Sierra and that could significantly alter the American River Watershed. Something to think about.
Well, I’ll stop rambling. Please support your new VP Conservation, Bill Templin. I will.
FYI: Bill's contact info: Email: wtemplin@surewest.net Phone: 916-601-9954
Tight Lines, Heath Wakelee VP Conservation Phone: 916-870-5253 |
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