[SIDEBAR: if you have not been to the AMFF, it is an excellent repository of fly fishing history. Make some time to check it out next time you are in the green mountain state. Better yet join up and get the journal and discount!]
As a lobbyist for TPL I follow a number of policy debates. Fortunately for me most of the time I am working on issues that involve hunting and fishing. This week I had my hands full with two pieces of legislation that will benefit both hunting and fishing habitat, creating that nexus I love between my passion for fishing and my career as a lobbyist.
In the Senate legislation to address global climate change took its first step forward. In that bill, there is important funding for fish and wildlife habitat mitigation. In the House the bill to reform the 1872 mining act passed. That legislation has important provisions to address royalties, reclamation and land protection.
I am not going to put on my lobbyist hat except to say if you don't think these laws make a difference to your ability to enjoy places to fish then you are not paying attention. Groups like Trout Unlimited, the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership and the National Wildlife Federation all are excellent sources of information. They have joined together on the mining reform debate with the Sportsmen United for Sensible Mining Campaign. You can find out more at: www.sensiblemining.org. NWF has been a leader in climate change research and advocacy. You can find out more at: www.nwf.org/globalwarming.
Legislation like this is a loooooooong way from being the law of the land but staying informed and taking some time to let your views be known to your elected representatives is important if you want to see fish and wildlife habitat protected.