TU and the Farm Bill

[Terry Beeson]

Just received an email from TU:

"Right now Congress is beginning its work on the 2007 Farm Bill reauthorization. Despite its tremendous potential, the Farm Bill has not traditionally been a significant source of funding for fishery restoration projects. A recent analysis completed by TU found that less than 4.5 percent of Farm Bill conservation funds have directly benefited fisheries and stream habitat. a We need you to ask your Senators and Congressman to make the farm bill more fish friendly.

American farmers and ranchers have an enormous impact on the landscape - they manage fully half of the country's land. From Trout Unlimited's perspective, the key component of the Farm Bill is its conservation title that provides $4 billion annually for restoration projects and initiatives to help farmers, ranchers, and private landowners address environmental challenges. It is the single biggest pot of money for conservation on private lands - no other federal program even comes close.

Despite its tremendous potential, the Farm Bill has not traditionally been a significant source of funding for fishery restoration projects. A recent analysis completed by TU found that less than 4.5 percent of Farm Bill conservation funds have directly benefited fisheries and stream habitat.

Please ask your Senators and Congressman to make the farm bill more fish friendly. And please don't hesitate to get in touch with me should you have any questions or need more information.

Kira Finkler

Legislative Director, Trout Unlimited

703-284-9408

kfinkler@tu.org "

[Danoinark]

Thanks Terry. I have already sent my Congressman and Senators my letters. You can go to the www.tu.org website and get complete details and even send letters from the site.

Dano

[Kansas Fly Fisher]

I got an email from them today. I haven't had a chance to send my email to the Senators and Congressman but I'll get right on it this evening. Have to get ready for work now. I'm pulling a 36'er starting this evening.

John