An email by the PA Council of Trout Unlimited distributing the letter, said the freeze in funding could mean a staggering loss of income and wages for contractors and employees in the private sector who are contracted to do resource enhancing project work; this funding also supports TU staff that implement and oversee the projects.
“If unfunded, it could cripple the very existence of Trout Unlimited.
“If that happens there will be a ripple of shock waves that will affect PATU and the sustainability of local chapters as well.
“Despite assurances from the current administration that federal funds from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Legislation for the clean-up of AMD and other conservation projects will continue, as of now virtually none of it has been dispersed; federal reimbursements for projects are months behind.”
Closing Offices - ‘Pollute, Baby, Pollute’
“Another disconcerting action is that three Office of Surface Mining and Reclamation Offices, including the Harrisburg office, three Bureau of Reclamation Offices, 45 U.S. Fish and Wildlife offices, and 33 National Park Service offices are going to close across the country.
“There is no determination of what will happen to the staffers in these key partner conservation offices, but the indiscriminate mass firing of federal workers to date should provide an idea.
“Rest assured the reduction of this federal conservation agency capacity is geared toward allowing private development on your public lands and even eliminating public land that TU works to protect and enhance.
“The “drill, baby, drill” mantra will be replaced with “pollute, baby, pollute.”
“If you believe that sacrificing our national conservation legacy is not in the best interest of coldwater resources, wild trout, your outdoor heritage, or your children's or grandchildren’s future, visit the links below.
“They provide additional information and direct ways for you to contact your elected officials. Remember— they work for you, not the other way around.
"The PA Council of Trout Unlimited serves as a unified voice for the 49 local chapters representing more than 13,000 members statewide.”
"The funding freeze stops projects that help improve water quality, promotes healthy fish and wildlife populations, assist private landowners in better managing their farms and properties to prevent flood damage and enhance local road infrastructure.
"With these historic investments in conservation, we are working at a scale that matches the challenges America's rivers, fisheries and communities face."
"Trout Unlimited's federal grants in Pennsylvania, which are focused on abandoned coal mine cleanup, have a significant positive impact on local jobs and economic opportunities.
"Our work to improve water quality and restore damaged landscapes is especially important in former coal communities where mining has ceased."
"In the West Branch Susquehanna Watershed, we are rebuilding passive water treatment systems that will extend the recovery of once-dead streams polluted by toxic mine drainage and help recover native brook trout."
"A Pennsylvania study for the American Sportfishing Association determined 1,550,800 anglers spent $422.4 million to go fishing adding 6,440 jobs across the supply chain."
The letter was signed by Lenny Lichvar, President of PA Council of Trout Unlimited.
Click Here for a copy of the letter.
For more information on programs, initiatives and upcoming events, visit the PA Council of Trout Unlimited website. Click Here to sign up for regular updates (top of page). Like them on Facebook. Follow PATU on Twitter. Click Here to become a member. Click Here to support their work.
Trout Unlimited has over 13,000 members in Pennsylvania.
Resource Link:
-- Trout Unlimited: Powering The Restoration Economy and Rural Jobs
NewsClips:
-- Frozen Hoping For A Thaw: Eastern PA Coalition For Abandoned Mine Reclamation Project To Repurpose Fmr Coal Waste Plant Site Into Solar Energy, Mine Water Pool Energy Storage, Cooling Facility In Schuylkill County [PaEN]
-- TribLive: Flight 93 Memorial Supporters In Somerset County Step Up Fundraising As Potential Job Cuts Loom
-- The Hill: President Eyes 30% Payroll Reduction At National Park Service
-- Republican Herald: DOGE May Close Frackville Mine Safety Office
-- Utility Dive: Federal Inflation Reduction Act Funding Freeze Has Put ‘Many’ Clean Energy Projects On Pause
-- PASA Sustainable Agriculture Starting Employee Furlough Due To Continuing Federal Funding Freeze [PaEN]
-- Lancaster Farming: Farmers Feel Loss Of Climate Project Funding After Freezes
-- WITF/StateImpactPA - Rachel McDevitt: Farmers Lose Climate Assistance As President Freezes, Cuts Funding
-- Chesapeake Bay Journal: Advocates Urge Congress To Keep Funding Chesapeake Bay Cleanup
-- Inquirer - Frank Kummer: President Freezes $12 Million Meant To Help Philly Plant Thousands Of Trees
-- WHYY: Philadelphians Push City To Do More To Plant, Protect Trees; $12 Million Federal Grant Frozen
[Posted: March 10, 2025] PA Environment Digest
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