03-10-2009, 02:55 PM
[font "Comic Sans MS"][#800000][size 4]And that crisis would be the fair and balanced access to public waters in accordance with the 2008 Utah Supreme Court ruling in the Conatser vs. Johnson case. As you all know by now, a very heavily debated bill was introduced into the 2009 Legislative calendar to address the issue. There were rewrites, amendments, and two votes on it and it was defeated both times. But it is not going to go away.[/size][/#800000][/font]
[font "Comic Sans MS"][#800000][size 4][/size][/#800000][/font]
[font "Comic Sans MS"][#800000][size 4]One of the main points of contention from my representative was the fact that the recreationists do not have an organized entity that can honestly represent all recreational interests on this issue. There are literally dozens of organizations out there that have a personal interest in this issue to include fishers, kayakers, hunters, bird watchers, hikers, etc. And rightly so; but there is not one umbrella organization that can bring all of these groups together as one voice. And this is not good. The two groups that were contacted for input on this issue are considered by many to be not very representative at all. So where do we go from here? Who is going to represent all of our interests in the future? Well, I have a recommendation – the Izaak Walton of America (IWLA).[/size][/#800000][/font]
[font "Comic Sans MS"][#800000][size 4][/size][/#800000][/font]
[font "Comic Sans MS"][#800000][size 4]From their web site ([/size][/#800000][/font][url "http://www.iwla.org/"][font "Comic Sans MS"][#800000][size 4]http://www.iwla.org/[/size][/#800000][/font][/url][font "Comic Sans MS"][#800000][size 4]) they are one of the earliest conservation organizations in the United States. The IWLA was formed in 1922 to save outdoor America for future generations. The League's founders, who were avid anglers, chose to name the organization after Izaak Walton, the 17th century author of The Compleat (sic) Angler, one of the most famous books on fishing. They are one of the earliest conservation organizations to set an aggressive course to defend wild America by changing public policy. Almost every major, successful conservation program that America has in place today can be traced directly to a League activity or initiative. The environment is everyone's issue. America deserves a better, stronger commitment to finding smart solutions that are good for the environment and economy at the same time. They are proud that their unique blend of community conservation and advocacy for common-sense conservation policy has positioned them as a voice of reason in the various debates over access, habitat and species protection, clean air and water, wetlands, renewable energy, public lands, and many other issues.[/size][/#800000][/font]
[font "Comic Sans MS"][#800000][size 4][/size][/#800000][/font]
[font "Comic Sans MS"][#800000][size 4]Throughout more than three hundred communities, IWLA chapters advance the mission of the Izaak Walton League - restoring watersheds, reducing air pollution, fighting litter, protecting wildlife habitat and open spaces, and instilling conservation ethics in outdoor recreationists. Their commitment to communities has allowed them to endure for more than eight decades. Their optimism, their spirit, and their vision for a better outdoor America guides their work.[/size][/#800000][/font]
[font "Comic Sans MS"][#800000][size 4][/size][/#800000][/font]
[font "Comic Sans MS"][#800000][size 4]Developed by members in a democratic process, their Conservation Policies guide their work. The newest copy of those policies can be seen here: [/size][/#800000][/font][url "http://www.iwla.org/publications/general/2007_Conservation_Policies_Web.pdf"][font "Comic Sans MS"][#800000][size 4]http://www.iwla.org/publications/general/2007_Conservation_Policies_Web.pdf[/size][/#800000][/font][/url]
[font "Comic Sans MS"][#800000][size 4][/size][/#800000][/font]
[font "Comic Sans MS"][#800000][size 4]Here is their Mission Statement: To conserve, maintain, protect, and restore the soil, forest, water, and other natural resources of the United States and other lands; to promote means and opportunities for the education of the public with respect to such resources and their enjoyment and wholesome utilization.[/size][/#800000][/font]
[font "Comic Sans MS"][#800000][size 4][/size][/#800000][/font]
[font "Comic Sans MS"][#800000][size 4]There is one small problem – out of over 300 chapters in the League, there isn’t one in Utah. And that my friends, is a true shame.[/size][/#800000][/font]
[font "Comic Sans MS"][#800000][size 4][/size][/#800000][/font]
[font "Comic Sans MS"][#800000][size 4]So that begs the question ‘Is there any of you that would be interested in starting a chapter in Utah?’ I’ve talked with the Executive Director of the IWLA about our current issue of water access and the lack of a single organization to represent our interests. He said they can not help without first establishing a chapter in Utah. That would involve a body of ten or more people coming together as a unit and applying for a chapter. He is going to turn this over to the Director of Chapter Relations who will in turn contact me about getting this started.[/size][/#800000][/font]
[font "Comic Sans MS"][#800000][size 4][/size][/#800000][/font]
[font "Comic Sans MS"][#800000][size 4]In the mean time, I’d ask any of you that also think this would be a worthwhile venture for Utah to please do a little research on the IWLA and volunteer to help me get this started. It would only take 10 committed people to start a chapter.[/size][/#800000][/font]
[font "Comic Sans MS"][#800000][size 4][/size][/#800000][/font]
[font "Comic Sans MS"][#800000][size 4]Will you help?[/size][/#800000][/font]
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[font "Comic Sans MS"][#800000][size 4][/size][/#800000][/font]
[font "Comic Sans MS"][#800000][size 4]One of the main points of contention from my representative was the fact that the recreationists do not have an organized entity that can honestly represent all recreational interests on this issue. There are literally dozens of organizations out there that have a personal interest in this issue to include fishers, kayakers, hunters, bird watchers, hikers, etc. And rightly so; but there is not one umbrella organization that can bring all of these groups together as one voice. And this is not good. The two groups that were contacted for input on this issue are considered by many to be not very representative at all. So where do we go from here? Who is going to represent all of our interests in the future? Well, I have a recommendation – the Izaak Walton of America (IWLA).[/size][/#800000][/font]
[font "Comic Sans MS"][#800000][size 4][/size][/#800000][/font]
[font "Comic Sans MS"][#800000][size 4]From their web site ([/size][/#800000][/font][url "http://www.iwla.org/"][font "Comic Sans MS"][#800000][size 4]http://www.iwla.org/[/size][/#800000][/font][/url][font "Comic Sans MS"][#800000][size 4]) they are one of the earliest conservation organizations in the United States. The IWLA was formed in 1922 to save outdoor America for future generations. The League's founders, who were avid anglers, chose to name the organization after Izaak Walton, the 17th century author of The Compleat (sic) Angler, one of the most famous books on fishing. They are one of the earliest conservation organizations to set an aggressive course to defend wild America by changing public policy. Almost every major, successful conservation program that America has in place today can be traced directly to a League activity or initiative. The environment is everyone's issue. America deserves a better, stronger commitment to finding smart solutions that are good for the environment and economy at the same time. They are proud that their unique blend of community conservation and advocacy for common-sense conservation policy has positioned them as a voice of reason in the various debates over access, habitat and species protection, clean air and water, wetlands, renewable energy, public lands, and many other issues.[/size][/#800000][/font]
[font "Comic Sans MS"][#800000][size 4][/size][/#800000][/font]
[font "Comic Sans MS"][#800000][size 4]Throughout more than three hundred communities, IWLA chapters advance the mission of the Izaak Walton League - restoring watersheds, reducing air pollution, fighting litter, protecting wildlife habitat and open spaces, and instilling conservation ethics in outdoor recreationists. Their commitment to communities has allowed them to endure for more than eight decades. Their optimism, their spirit, and their vision for a better outdoor America guides their work.[/size][/#800000][/font]
[font "Comic Sans MS"][#800000][size 4][/size][/#800000][/font]
[font "Comic Sans MS"][#800000][size 4]Developed by members in a democratic process, their Conservation Policies guide their work. The newest copy of those policies can be seen here: [/size][/#800000][/font][url "http://www.iwla.org/publications/general/2007_Conservation_Policies_Web.pdf"][font "Comic Sans MS"][#800000][size 4]http://www.iwla.org/publications/general/2007_Conservation_Policies_Web.pdf[/size][/#800000][/font][/url]
[font "Comic Sans MS"][#800000][size 4][/size][/#800000][/font]
[font "Comic Sans MS"][#800000][size 4]Here is their Mission Statement: To conserve, maintain, protect, and restore the soil, forest, water, and other natural resources of the United States and other lands; to promote means and opportunities for the education of the public with respect to such resources and their enjoyment and wholesome utilization.[/size][/#800000][/font]
[font "Comic Sans MS"][#800000][size 4][/size][/#800000][/font]
[font "Comic Sans MS"][#800000][size 4]There is one small problem – out of over 300 chapters in the League, there isn’t one in Utah. And that my friends, is a true shame.[/size][/#800000][/font]
[font "Comic Sans MS"][#800000][size 4][/size][/#800000][/font]
[font "Comic Sans MS"][#800000][size 4]So that begs the question ‘Is there any of you that would be interested in starting a chapter in Utah?’ I’ve talked with the Executive Director of the IWLA about our current issue of water access and the lack of a single organization to represent our interests. He said they can not help without first establishing a chapter in Utah. That would involve a body of ten or more people coming together as a unit and applying for a chapter. He is going to turn this over to the Director of Chapter Relations who will in turn contact me about getting this started.[/size][/#800000][/font]
[font "Comic Sans MS"][#800000][size 4][/size][/#800000][/font]
[font "Comic Sans MS"][#800000][size 4]In the mean time, I’d ask any of you that also think this would be a worthwhile venture for Utah to please do a little research on the IWLA and volunteer to help me get this started. It would only take 10 committed people to start a chapter.[/size][/#800000][/font]
[font "Comic Sans MS"][#800000][size 4][/size][/#800000][/font]
[font "Comic Sans MS"][#800000][size 4]Will you help?[/size][/#800000][/font]
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