Virginia Sportsmen Stand Up for Clean Air Act

Hundreds of organizations representing hunters and anglers, including Trout Unlimited’s Virginia Council, the Virginia Anglers Club, the Virginia Conservation Network, and the Wildlife Foundation of Virginia, have signed on to a letter asking Congress to side with sportsmen against big polluters:

On behalf of the undersigned organizations and businesses, and the millions of Americans who enjoy and depend on our wildlife and natural resources, we strongly oppose any effort to weaken the Clean Air Act, one of our nation’s most critical health and environmental protections. A bipartisan effort led to the passage of the Clean Air Act in 1970, marking a turning point in American history when it became unacceptable for industries to dump their pollution into our air. Sportsmen and women from across the country united and played a vital role in passing this landmark legislation.

The Clean Air Act has a long history of success in reducing pollution such as acid rain and smog that threatens fish and wildlife and their habitats.  Today, the Environmental Protection Agency is poised to cut pollution that causes toxic mercury contamination and set standards to limit carbon pollution. As hunters and anglers, we know how widespread mercury is in our environment, posing a danger to all who eat mercury-laden fish.  We also know that climate change is fundamentally altering our environment and putting fish and wildlife populations and our outdoor heritage at risk.  Regulating mercury and cutting carbon pollution will help protect our long standing investment in our outdoor heritage.

America’s hunters, anglers, and the 79 billion dollar industry that supports them, are glad to see long overdue action to reduce mercury pollution and put limits on carbon pollution. This unique partnership, formed in the 19th century, continues to be at the heart of conserving wildlife. We strongly urge you to prevent any Congressional roll back of the Clean Air Act, ensuring our outdoor legacy for future generations.

The full list of signers, along with a supporting letter to his fellow Congressmen from Rep. Martin Heinrich (D-NM), after the jump.

Support Hunters and Anglers: Defend the Clean Air Act

Vote No on the TRAIN Act

Dear Colleague:

I wanted to call your attention to the letter below from 300 sportsmen’s organizations in support of the Clean Air Act.  As a hunter and angler, I support efforts to reduce mercury pollution in our air, which endangers the health of anyone who eats mercury-contaminated fish.  Every state in America has issued health advisories warning people to limit or avoid eating certain species of fish due to toxic mercury contamination, and many of these advisories cover every waterbody in the state. I urge you to join me and other sportsmen in defending the Clean Air Act by opposing bills like the TRAIN Act that will prevent the EPA from cleaning up our air and waterways.

Sincerely,

MARTIN HEINRICH

Member of Congress

American Canoe Association * American Fisheries Society * Bull Moose Sportsmen’s Alliance * Federation of Fly Fishers *  Izaak Walton League of America * National Wildlife Federation * The Resource Institute, Inc. * Trout Unlimited

June 7, 2011

Dear Senator/Representative:

On behalf of the undersigned organizations and businesses, and the millions of Americans who enjoy and depend on our wildlife and natural resources, we strongly oppose any effort to weaken the Clean Air Act, one of our nation’s most critical health and environmental protections.  A bipartisan effort led to the passage of the Clean Air Act in 1970, marking a turning point in American history when it became unacceptable for industries to dump their pollution into our air. Sportsmen and women from across the country united and played a vital role in passing this landmark legislation.

The Clean Air Act has a long history of success in reducing pollution such as acid rain and smog that threatens fish and wildlife and their habitats.  Today, the Environmental Protection Agency is poised to cut pollution that causes toxic mercury contamination and set standards to limit carbon pollution.  As hunters and anglers, we know how widespread mercury is in our environment, posing a danger to all who eat mercury-laden fish.  We also know that climate change is fundamentally altering our environment and putting fish and wildlife populations and our outdoor heritage at risk.  Regulating mercury and cutting carbon pollution will help protect our long standing investment in our outdoor heritage.

America’s hunters, anglers, and the 79 billion dollar industry that supports them, are glad to see long overdue action to reduce mercury pollution and put limits on carbon pollution. This unique partnership, formed in the 19th century, continues to be at the heart of conserving wildlife.  We strongly urge you to prevent any Congressional roll back of the Clean Air Act, ensuring our outdoor legacy for future generations.

Sincerely,

American Canoe Association

American Fisheries Society

Bull Moose Sportsmen’s Alliance

Federation of Fly Fishers

Izaak Walton League of America

National Wildlife Federation

The Resource Institute, Inc.

Trout Unlimited

Alaska Adventures, Inc.

Alaska Alpine Adventures, Inc.

Alaska Backcountry Hunters and Anglers

Arctic Treks

Arctic Wild LLC

Capt. Pete’s Alaska

Wilderness Birding Adventures

Arkansas Canoe Club

Arkansas Conservation Coalition

Arkansas Wildlife Federation

Colorado Wildlife Federation

Florida Wildlife Federation

Atlanta Fly Fishing School

Trout Unlimited, Georgia Council

Trout Unlimited, Gold Rush Chapter

Trout Unlimited, Idaho State Council

Trout Unlimited, Ted Trueblood Chapter

Illinois Bass Federation

Trout Unlimited, Elliot Donnelly Chapter

Trout Unlimited, Illinois Council

Trout Unlimited, Oak Brook Trout Chapter

American Fisheries Society, Iowa Chapter

Iowa Division, IWLA

Trout Unlimited, North Bear Chapter

Kansas Wildlife Federation

Louisiana Wildlife Federation

Buxton Hollis Rod and Gun Club

Fort Fairfield Rifle and Pistol Club

Maine Atlantic Salmon Federation

Maine Chapter of the Wildlife Society

Maine Path & Paddle Guides      

Maine Wilderness Guides Association

North Berwick Rod and Gun Club

Sportsmen’s Alliance of Maine

West Gardiner Rod & Gun Club

Ashfield Rod and Gun Club

Berkshire County League of Sportsmen

Billerica Rod and Gun Club

Easton Rod and Gun Club

Falmouth Rod and Gun Club

Framingham State Universities Wildlife Club

Gardner Fish and Gun Club

Gun Owner’s Action League

Hanson Rod and Gun Club

Holyoke Revolver Club

Hopedale Pistol and Rifle Club

Lawrence Rod and Gun Club

League of Barnstable County Sportsmen’s Clubs

Lenox Sportsmen’s Club

Littleton Sportsman Club

Ludlow Fish and Game Club

Lynn Fish and Game Protective Assoc.

Malden Anglers Association

Massachusetts Sportsmen’s Council

Nenameseck Sportsmen’s Club

Norwood Sportsmen’s Association

Pittsfield Sportsmen Club

Plainville Beagle Club, Inc

Quabbin Fisherman’s Association

Rod and Gun Club of New Bedford

St John’s Fishing Club

Taunton Rifle and Pistol Club

Tewksbury Rod and Gun Club

Trout Unlimited, Massachusetts Council

Tyngsboro Sportsmen’s Club Inc

Zoar Outdoor Rafting and Kayaking Tours

Au Sable Big Water Preservation Association

Betsie Bay Marina

Big Bear Adventures

Bob Linsenman’s Au Sable Angler

Chippewa Ottawa Recourse Authority

Crystal Mountain Resort and Spa

Ecology Center

Friends of the Detroit River

Gates Au Sable Lodge

Great Lakes Council of Federation of Fly Fishers

Kalamazoo River Sturgeon for Tomorrow

Ludington Area Charter Boat Assoc.

Match-E-Be-Nash-She-Wish Band of Pottawatomi Indians

Michigan B.A.S.S. Federation Nation

Michigan Charter Boat Association

Michigan River Guide Association

Michigan United Conservation Clubs

Montmorency County Conservation Club

Straits Area Audubon Society

The River Specialist

Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council

Trout Unlimited, Adams Chapter

Trout Unlimited, Ann Arbor Chapter

Trout Unlimited, Challenge Chapter

Trout Unlimited, Clinton Valley Chapter

Trout Unlimited, Copper Country Chapter

Trout Unlimited, Ferris Chapter

Trout Unlimited, Frank “Bob” Perrin – Lansing

Trout Unlimited, Fred Warra Chapter

Trout Unlimited, Headwaters Chapter

Trout Unlimited, Kalamazoo Valley Chapter

Trout Unlimited, Lean T. Lartuch Chapter

Trout Unlimited, Mason Griffith Founders Chapter

Trout Unlimited, Michigan Council

Trout Unlimited, Miller Van Winkle Chapter

Trout Unlimited, Paul H. Young Chapter

Trout Unlimited, Pine River Area Chapter

Trout Unlimited, Schrems West Michigan

Trout Unlimited, Two Heart Chapter

Trout Unlimited, Vanguard Chapter

Trout Unlimited, William B. Mershon Chapter

Voices for Earth Justice

WATCH, Water and Air Team Charlevoix

Audubon Chapter of Minneapolis

Audubon Minnesota

Central Minnesota Audubon

Coalition for a Clean Minnesota River

Friends of Minnesota Valley

Friends of the Mississippi River

Izaak Walton League of America, Midwest Office

Izaak Walton League of America, Minnesota Division

Minnesota Anglers for Habitat

Minnesota Backcountry Hunters & Anglers

Minnesota Becker County Sportsman’s Club

Minnesota Black Feather Knives

Minnesota Bluffland Whitetails Association

Minnesota CLC Natural Resource Club-Brainerd Lakes

Minnesota Conservation Federation

Minnesota FowlNation

Minnesota Lake City Sportsman’s Club

Minnesota Lewiston Sportsman’s Club

Minnesota Muskie and Pike Alliance

Minnesota North America Wild Turkey Federation

Minnesota Ornithologists Union

New Ulm Area Sport Fishermen

Sierra Club North Star Chapter

Trout Unlimited, Minnesota Council

Zumbro Valley Audubon

Conservation Federation of Missouri

Missouri Prairie Foundation

Missouri Stream Team #57

Southern Council of the Federation of Fly Fishers

Southwest Missouri Fly Fishers

Big Sky Anglers

Big Sky Upland Bird Association

Blue Ribbon Flies

Bud Lilly’s Fly Shop

Dave Corcoran Outfitters

Gallatin Wildlife Association

Greater Yellowstone Fly Fishers

Headhunter’s Fly Shop

Helena Hunters & Anglers Association

Hellgate Hunters & Anglers

Libby Rod and Gun Club

Linehan Outfitting Company

Medicine River Canoe Club

Missoula Valley Outfitters

Montana Fishing Outfitters

Montana Fly Fishing Guides

Montana Trout Angler

Montana Wildlife Federation

Park County Rod and Gun Club

Polson Outdoors

Public Lands and Waters Access Association

River’s Edge Fly Shop

Russell Country Sportsmen Association

Sweetwater Travel

The Bozeman Angler

Trout Unlimited, Madison & Gallatin Chapter

Trout Unlimited, Montana Council

Trout Unlimited, West Slope Chapter

Wapiti Waters

Yellow Dog Fly Fishing Adventures

300 Archery

Andover Fish and Game Club

Belknap County Fish and Game Association

Brian’s Archery Shop

Carrol County Fish and Game and Shooting Club

Curt Golder’s Angling Adventures

Dave’s Taxidermy

Fish Tales Taxidermy

Frenchey’s Bait and Tackle

Friends of the Suncook River

Granite State Rod and Reel

Hampton Rod and Gun Club

Hillside Taxidermy

Horse Pond Fish and Game Club

Lake Side Bait and Tackle

M&D Archery, Dog Training and Guide LLC

Milford Archery

Morse Sporting Goods

NH Archery and Outdoor Sports

NH Bass Federation

NH Bear Hunters Association

NH Trappers Association

NH Wildlife Federation

Northern River Guides Service

Paul’s Bait Rig and tackle

Pelletiers Sports Shop

Pointer Fish and Game Club

Rick Forge Outdoors, Inc.

Riley’s Sport Shop

Rise and Shine Retrievers

Robert D. Wyatts Guide Service

Screaming Wolf Taxidermy

Smith River Trading Post

Steve’s Sport Shop

Suds N Soda Sport Shop

Sunrise Taxidermy

Temple Mountain Anglers Club

The Family Barber and Bait Shop

The Fish’n Shanty

The Sportsmen’s Den

TNT Guide Service

Trout Unlimited, Ammomoosuc River Chapter

Trout Unlimited, Basil Woods Chapter

Trout Unlimited, Great Bay Chapter

Trout Unlimited, Merrimack River Valley

Trout Unlimited, Monadnock Chapter

Trout Unlimited, NH Council

Trout Unlimited, Pemigewassett River Chapter

Trout Unlimited, Saco River Chapter

Wildlife Sports & Taxidermy

Trout Unlimited, Mohawk Valley Chapter

Trout Unlimited, New York State Council

Albemarle Conservation & Wildlife Chapter

Audubon of North Carolina

Fowl Play Game Calls

Greater Raleigh Outdoors and Wildlife Chapter

Habitat and Wildlife Keepers

Headwaters

Lake James Area Wildlife and Nature Society

Lake Norman Wildlife Conservationists

Mountain Island Lake Wildlife Stewards

Mountain Wild Chapter, NCWF

Nat Greene Fly Fishers

NC Camouflage Coalition

North Carolina BASS Federation Nation

North Carolina Wildlife Federation

Trout Unlimited, NC Council

Trout Unlimited, Rocky River Chapter

Trout Unlimited, Table Rock Chapter

Trout Unlimited, Tuckaseigee Chapter

Nebraska Wildlife Federation

New Mexico Wildlife Federation

American Fisheries Society, Ohio Chapter

Columbiana County Federation of Conservation Clubs

Hard Core Decoys

Huntducks.com

Nook Industries, Inc

Ohio Huskie Muskie Club, Inc.

Silvertip Productions, Ltd.

Arrow Head Point Lodge

D&D Outfitters

Enos Mall on Lake Texoma

Green Country Midsouth Hunting, Fishing, Tackle Show

Montgomery Productions

Oklahoma Tackle and Hunting Show

Shooters of Faith

Woody’s Custom Rods

Bob Rees’ Fishing Guide Service

Northwest Angling Experience

NW Guides and Anglers Association

Oregon River Trails Outfitters

The Guides Forecast

Trout Unlimited, Oregon Council

Appalachian Outdoors

Citizens for Pennsylvania’s Future

Endless Mountains Outfitters

Fly Fishers Paradise

Izaak Walton League of America, PA Division

Izaak Walton League, Berks County

Izaak Walton League, Brownsville Area

Izaak Walton League, Fairmount Springs

Izaak Walton League, Franklin County

Izaak Walton League, Harry Enstrom

Izaak Walton League, John Harris

Izaak Walton League, Lancaster Red Rose

Izaak Walton League, Lebanon County

Izaak Walton League, Oil City

Izaak Walton League, Uniontown

Izaak Walton League, York

Joe Humphreys Professional Fly Fishing Enterprises

PA Chapter of The Wildlife Society

Pike County Chapter PA Federation of Sportsmen’s Clubs

The Sporting Gentleman

Tom Baltz Angling Adventures

Trout Unlimited, Adams County

Trout Unlimited, Arrowhead Chapter

Trout Unlimited, Art Bradford-Northern Tier, #357

Trout Unlimited, Caldwell Creek #437

Trout Unlimited, Chestnut Ridge

Trout Unlimited, God’s Country Chapter

Trout Unlimited, Iron Furnace Chapter

Trout Unlimited, Kettle Creek Chapter

Trout Unlimited, Mt. Laurel Chapter

Trout Unlimited, Neshannock #216

Trout Unlimited, Northwest PA #41

Trout Unlimited, State Chapter

Trout Unlimited, Valley Forge Chapter

Tussey Mountain Outfitters

West Chester Fish, Game and Wildlife

Federated Rhode Island Sportsmen’s Clubs, Inc.

Northern Rhode Island Chapter, TU

South Carolina Wildlife Federation

Trout Unlimited, Chattooga River Chapter

Trout Unlimited, Mountain Bridge Chapter

Trout Unlimited, Saluda River Chapter

Trout Unlimited, SC Council

South Dakota Wildlife Federation

Tennessee Council of Trout Unlimited

Sensible Management of Aquatic Resources Team

Texas Association of Bass Clubs

Trout Unlimited, Utah Council

Friends of the Middle River

Riverfest

Trout Unlimited, Virginia Council

Trout Unlimited, Winchester #638

Virginia Anglers Club

Virginia Conservation Network

Wildlife Foundation of Virginia

Washington Wildlife Federation

West Virginia Rivers Coalition

Trout Unlimited, Aldo Leopold Chapter

Trout Unlimited, Blackhawk Chapter

Trout Unlimited, Coulee Region

Trout Unlimited, Kiap-TU-Wish Chapter

Trout Unlimited, Lakeshore Chapter

Trout Unlimited, Southeast Wisconsin Chapter

Trout Unlimited, Southern Wisconsin

Trout Unlimited, Wisconsin Council