Help Acquire & Conserve White Salmon Riverfront (WA)

Paddlers! Please write to Senators Cantwell and Murray in support of an opportunity to protect properties currently available for public acquisition along the White Salmon River.

These riverfront properties are located downstream from Husum Falls along a reach of river currently used as a training ground for novice paddlers. We hope this reach will soon become the start of a new run out to the Columbia River with the removal of Condit Dam. Personalize your letter to include why you value the unique qualities of this Wild and Scenic river and be sure to include the following points:

Support appropriation of $1 million from the Land and Water Conservation Fund in FY 2003 to protect threatened riverfront properties along the Wild and Scenic White Salmon River in Washington State.

• The project is referred to as the Pacific Northwest Wild and Scenic River/White Salmon Acquisition Projects and includes fiver riverfront properties that are currently available for acquisition. They are Fraser, Wahl, Hopper, Hendryx and Frank properties and total 41 acres.

• Make federal acquisition of the threatened properties along the White Salmon a funding priority in FY 2003 by appropriating the necessary $1 million from the Land and Water Conservation Fund.

  Mail service to Washington, D.C. Senate offices has resumed, but is very slow. Given the time-sensitive nature of this matter, we recommend using email or fax with the target of getting your correspondence sent in during April 2002. Be sure to include your name and full mailing address in your correspondence.

  Contact Information

  email: senator_murray@murray.senate.gov
  fax: 202-224-0238
  
  email form: http://cantwell.senate.gov/contact
  fax 202-228-0514
  
  

  Send copies of your correspondence by email to:

  Kristin Newman
  Sr. Project Associate
  Trust for Public Land
  1211 SW Sixth Ave.
  Portland, OR 97204
  kristin.newman@tpl.org
  (503) 228-6620
  
  Jason Robertson
  Access Director
  American Whitewater
  1424 Fenwick Lane
  Silver Spring, MD 20910
  jason@amwhitewater.org
  866-BOAT4AW
  
  

  American Whitewater's Letter:

  Dear Senator Murray and Cantwell,

  American Whitewater is glad to hear of the opportunity to protect threatened riverfront properties along the Wild and Scenic White Salmon River in Washington State. We urge your support for the appropriation of $1 million from the Land and Water Conservation Fund in FY 2003 to purchase these properties. Our 8,000 members support programs that ensure protection of open space along rivers for ecological diversity, protection of endangered species, and opportunities for recreation.

  The White Salmon River is nationally recognized for it's challenging whitewater and scenic bedrock canyons. Paddling opportunities are available for first-time paddlers and world-class experts. Consistent flows and the beautiful scenery make this a special place and we now have an opportunity to build upon past commitments to protect this river corridor for future generations.

  The project is referred to as the Pacific Northwest Wild and Scenic River/White Salmon Acquisition Projects and includes five riverfront properties that are currently available for acquisition. They are Fraser, Wahl, Hopper, Hendryx and Frank properties and total 41 acres. These properties are located along a stretch of river that serves as a popular training ground for novice paddlers.

  Purchase of these properties will form an important contribution to the public/private partnership to restore ecosystem function and scenic beauty to a river that historically supported impressive salmon runs. Removal of Condit Dam (FERC Project No.2342) will provide endangered salmon and steelhead with access to this reach, but efforts such as this one to protect riverside habitat are critical to bring populations back to sustainable levels. Protecting these properties from future development will not only improve habitat qualities, but also enhance the experience for the many recreational paddlers who enjoy this scenic river.

  We encourage you to make federal acquisition of the threatened properties along the White Salmon a funding priority in FY 2003 by appropriating the necessary $1 million from the Land and Water Conservation Fund.

  American Whitewater's mission is to conserve and restore America's whitewater resources and to enhance opportunities to enjoy them safely. American Whitewater represents over 8,000 paddlers throughout the United States. We work with government agencies and local conservation and recreational groups to maintain waterway access, preserve rivers and educate the public.

  Sincerely,

  {SIGNED}

  Jason D. Robertson
  Access Director
  American Whitewater
  
  Tom O'Keefe
  WA Regional Coordinator and StreamKeeper
  American Whitewater