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AMERICAN FISHING TACKLE MANUFACTTURERS ASSOOATION 



SPORT FISHINa INSTITUTE 



TROUT UNLIMITED 



October 26. 1993 



The Hononble Oan Hamborg 

 U.S. House of Repiesentanves 

 1 14 Cannon Builmog 

 Washington, DC 20515 



Re: Support for HJl 2866. The Headwaters Forest Act of 1993 



Dear Rqnesentadve Hamburg: 



On behalf of the sport fishing industry and thousands of trout and sahnon anglers, we are 

 writing to support the bill you recently introduced, H JL 2866, The Headwaters Forest Act 

 of 1993. The bill would authorize the Forest Service to acquire and conserve 44,000 acres 

 of prime headwater forest habitat in northern California, and to study an additionaJ 13,620 

 acres for possible future acquisition and management. We commend you for your 

 leadership in developing and introdocing this legislatioiL 



Our organizations are committed to protecting and restoring west coast Pacific salmon 

 resources. These runs were once the finest salmon resources in the world. Now, 

 according the Clinton Administzation's Forest Ecosystem Management Assessment Team 

 GFEMA'D Report, over 100 stocks have been extirpated and 314 are at risk of extinction. 

 E)e^te dramatic declines in Pacific salmon stocks, these fish still support a one billion 

 dollar armual sport uid commercial fishing industry. These valuable mdustries are 

 threatened dir^dy by continuing loss of salmm habitat Conversely, if the region takes 

 strong actions now, me entire nation stands to gain tremendous new ecological and 

 ecoi3omic benefits fiom restored salmon runs. 



In diat light, your bill is an important element in the foundation of Pacific salmon recovery, 

 ff enacted and imjdemented, it will proiea some of the best remaining salmon habitat in 

 California, and in the case of coho salmon, some of the most cridcal habitat on the entire 

 west coast Dr. Peter Moyle, renowned salmon scientist from University of California at 

 Davis, has testified before two House Committees that HJL 2666 would protect 5 to 10% 

 of the remaining coho spawning habitat in California. Such a managemem action is 

 essential in view of the 97% decline in wild coho in California. 



Again, we commend you for your work on this bill, and we look forward to its early 

 enactment 



Steve Moyer 

 Director 



Government A£Eairs 

 Trout Unlimited 



NorviDe Prosser 

 VicePresidem 

 Sport Fishing Institute 



Michael Nussman 

 Vice Presidem for 



Govenunent Affairs 

 American Hshing Tackle 



Manufacturers Association 



