Chris giving thanks

Its been a long grueling 45 days fighting for river rights at Capitol hill. In the end, the anglers will mostly likely lose, the Bill will not be vetoed by the Gov and Utah will be locking up rivers.  So much was going on during this time it was a task trying to keep up, all while trying to complete a work week and attending to my personal responsibilities so fishing was a not an option. Chris skipped on the work load and took on the issue head on, setting everything else aside.

My buddy Chris spent every day at the Capitol. Sacrificing money, time, fishing and day to day normal living is not easy task, it requires total commitment. Midway through the session we promised each other, the second this is all over we would go fishing, no matter what…well, that day finally came.

It couldn’t come soon enough. I really need to get back on the water, I know Chris did too. This legislature session was filled with corruption, lies, deceit and a blatant disregard for the Constitution.  I need to get back to what make sense to me… fishing.

I woke up to a phone call at 6am, it was Chris… it went something like this…

Chris – “you ready? I’ll be there in 40″.

Groggy with sleep in my eye I replied “Chris its barley 6am and its still snowing, I went to sleep at 3am, lets give a few hours.”

Chris – “you mean 4am”

Me – “huh? no, 3am”

Chris – “you did remember its daylight saving”

Me -”SHIT!”

Chris “laughing”

Me – “see you soon”

Normally I have a few bags ready to go depending on the day. BUT, since I had not been fishing lately, I wasn’t prepared. I grabbed a pack and started shoving in things I think I “might” need still while half asleep, on two hours rest. I had one goal, to not forget anything, so the words “might not need” were not apart of this packing equation. It barley zipped closed and my initial thoughts as, this is heavy, I definitely got it all.

The drive over the pass was a winter one, the clouds were racing across the sky pushing out the storm that laid down a fresh blanket of snow. Color broke through the dark gray clouds as we rounded the bend. A glace over at the windsock on the point, it was as stiff as a 2×4. Casting is going to be creative today.

The river never looked so beautiful. The smell, the sight, it all filled filled my senses. I instantly felt my body and mind recharging and once again, the world was filling with hope.

Karma must have been watching, the day was nothing short of fantastic. Big browns crushed our 4″ offerings. A few big fish were lost after a crazy thrashing battle, and a few made it to hand. Chris landed some brutes which was a great reward for all the hard work he has put into saving these precious rivers. Although, we might not be able to come back here for a while, the memory’s will last.

It was a great day back on the water. For the first time in a long time, everything was OK with the world.

Thanks for everything, Chris!!!!

More images here –> http://www.flickr.com/photos/1bg/

It became apparent late Thursday the House Natural Resources Committee was not going to allow HB80 to pass to the House floor.

In a quick turn of events Representative Fowlke called a bill file. She met with Senator Neiderhauser, Sen. Bramble, lobbyist Jeff Hartley and Chris Barkey about moving the bill to the senate.

This bold move will allow HB80 to avoid all House committees, which was stacked against us. Senator Bramble was ready, willing and able to help.

SO… House Bill 80 has a new name, Senate Bill 267. [text will not be available until Monday. SB267 is identical to HB80]

We ask you to now contact your Senators and let them know you support SB267/HB80

**BILL WATCH**

• Rep. Webb -HB290 –>http://le.utah.gov/~2010/bills/hbillint/hb0290.htm
• Rep. McIFF – HB141 – [box car/no text] –>http://le.utah.gov/~2010/htmdoc/hbillhtm/hb0141.htm

other Bills we’re keeping an eye on…

• Rep. Ferry – HB374 [boxcar/no text] –>http://le.utah.gov/~2010/htmdoc/hbillhtm/HB0374.htm
• Rep. Cosgrove – HB450 -[boxcar/no text] –> http://le.utah.gov/~2010/htmdoc/hbillhtm/HB0450.htm

***Article Image – [click] courtesy of Heather Nan Photography [click]

UTAH WATER GUARDIANS

ATTN: ACTION ALERT!!!!

Contact your representatives and senators NOW! Ask them as their constituents, to please support HB-80.

Rep. Fowlke has gone through the proper processes to ensure a compromised bill for all interested parties.  Over the last 6 months she has had  open public process at the capitol, met with the public, water users, private landowners, members of TU, the DWR, Utah Anglers Coalition, Attorney General’s Office, the Farm Bureau, etc, in order to come up with a fair and compromised bill.  We fully support Representative Fowlke, HB-80 and the process. We hope that you will be encouraged to contact your representatives now.

The grassroots movement will be a key part in getting HB-80 passed.

KEY POINTS

• Reflects a full and fair public process
• HB80 is the best faith effort for a common ground compromise
• Deserves a fair honest debate on the floor of the house.
• Answers the questions that the Conatser decision left open  - it narrows the scope of the easement and provides the certainty all parties need to move forward;
• Adopts the most widely accepted legal standard to define stream bed – Ordinary High Water Mark
• Contains a number of voluntary concessions by anglers, including one that will significantly limit the number of recreational users using public water of private beds (the access stamp).
• Supported by the DWR (Division of  Wildlife Resources
• Places accountability on water users to know the law and it gives a defined boundary for all to know as to allow clear enforcement.
• Strengthens trespass law and increases liability protection for landowners.

Please take 5 minutes of your time and look up your representative’s contact info.  Send them an email or give them a call.  Be professional and polite in your correspondence and let them know that their constituents feel that HB-80 is important.  Here’s a few links to help you find your reps and senators as well as links to HB-80.

How to find your Representatives –> http://utahwaterguardians.org/?page_id=19

Representative Finder –> http://www.le.state.ut.us/maps/amap.html

For more up to date information please visit the Utah Water Guardians website -> http://utahwaterguardians.org/

Utah Water Guardians DONATE button is now LIVE!!

“Donate for (Recreational) Access and Use Utah! Fund”

Your support keeps ALL our gained recreational rights preserved

For more information on what you can do to help please visit

http://utahwaterguardians.org/

Hey.. wanna help get the word out?…. post this on your blog! Pass the word!

After (3) substitutes Bills, (20) amendments, the Bill failed in the House, a 43-31vote today, March 9, 2009.

The public did the unthinkable, again. Not only did they sink the Bill the first go around, but they did it again for the second time today, 3/9/09. A great deal of determination, spirit and integrity stood up and brought down HB 187 AGAIN!!!! HB 187 has been defeated once and for all!

A heartfelt THANK YOU to everyone who wrote their Representatives, called, lobbied, informed, spoke out, went with out sleep, work, food and fishing to fight for something we believe in…time and time again. Even though we encountered a few bumps in the road, we all stood together to see it through till the bitter end. Today our elected Representatives spoke on behalf of the people and once again, today, the people were heard! Everyone played a big roll in this victory, congratulations and bravo for sticking it out.

The next phase will be working to get a respectable Bill passed that meets on common ground, one that is reasonable to the Utah Supreme Court Ruling, and fair to all citizens. We must remain motivated and watchful in our attempt to protect our waters. Value our freedom and civil rights by taking care of our resource for generations to come.

Link to final vote – http://le.utah.gov/~2009/status/hbillsta/hb0187s3.007h.txt

We have (2) more request.

1. Please write your Representative(s) and let them know how they did. We sent thousands of emails and they answered hundreds of our calls, we need to extend our hand and say thank you! They worked hard for us; let them know you appreciate it.

If you’re rep voted “yes,” it’s perfectly fair to ask them for an explanation, particularly if they went against something they said previously. It’s OK to call them on it so long as it’s done respectfully. It’s also good to point out anglers CAN and WILL work with landowners to find a permanent solution. We just need to be part of the process from the start. No more of this back-door, secret, “my way or the highway” stuff.

2. Please use our precious resource with respect, humility and pride. Pick up that trash, repair that broken fence, mend the relationships with landowners and respect private property. We will be looked at very closely this year, let make sure we show them we are Guardians of the water and Stewards of the land. This year it’s extremely important to abide by the law and make the effort to lend a hand to landowners. This is just as important as eliminating the Bill.

Thanks again everyone, it wasn’t easy and we appreciate your honest efforts. My hat it of to you all!!!! We all came together with a unified voice…. residents and non-residents alike, extraordinary work everyone!

Well done!

See you on the water,

BG

www.utahwaterguardians.com

In an unfortunate and dramatic turn of events, Representative Ferry pulled HB 187 out for a “motion to reconsider”, the motion was GRANTED. Representative Draxler made the motion, and now HB 187 has come back to life. An amendment(s) is going to be made to the Bill in order to sway votes, which we find interesting as Rep. Ferry stated yesterday, “This amendment is totally unacceptable”.

HB 187 is now “circled” (on hold) and back on the calendar. The Bill can be back on the floor as early as tomorrow morning, March 5, 2009.

We need people at the Capitol Building tomorrow morning @9 am. (Thursday 3/5/09 and if need be on Friday 3/6/09) If you can make it, come join us.

CALL and EMAIL your Representative RIGHT NOW!! Tell them to Vote NO on HB 187!

It’s down to the wire; we need your support to kill this bill. This cannot and will not happen without your voice!

This coincides with the standing belief that the overall PROCESS of this Bill is flawed!! This last ditch effort is unwarranted and honestly, very disrespectful to the public; we should not stand for this type of behavior. Let them know where you stand (in a respectful way) and tell them that this is unacceptable.

Here is the second substitute HB 187 –> http://le.utah.gov/~2009/bills/hbillint/hb0187s02.htm

Take action now –> http://utahwaterguardians.wordpress.com/action/

HOT OFF THE PRESS - HB 187 is defeated!!

Breaking news — The House of Representatives voted the Bill down today 34 – 41!!!!

The public did the unthinkable, sunk HB 187! A big thanks to everyone who wrote their Representatives, called, lobbied, informed, spoke out, went with out sleep, work, food and fishing to fight for something we believe in. Today the people spoke, and today the people were heard!

We are proud of each of you, residents and non-residents alike. Everyone played a big roll in this victory. We all came together with a unified voice…. fantastic work everyone! Wow, unbelievable.

Link to final vote – http://le.utah.gov/~2009/status/hbillsta/hb0187s2.004h.txt

We have (2) more request.

1. Please write your Representative(s) and let them know how they did. We sent thousands of emails and they answered hundreds of our calls, we need to extend our hand and say thank you! They worked hard for us; let them know you appreciate it.

If you’re rep voted “yes,” it’s perfectly fair to ask them for an explanation, particularly if they went against something they said previously. It’s Ok to call them on it so long as it’s done respectfully. It’s also good to point out anglers CAN and WILL work with landowners to find a permanent solution. We just need to be part of the process from the start. No more of this back-door, secret, “my way or the highway” stuff.

2. Please use our precious resource with respect, humility and pride. Pick up that trash, repair that broken fence, mend the relationships with landowners and respect private property. We will be looked at very closely this year, let make sure we show them we are Guardians of the water and Stewards of the land.

Thanks again everyone, it wasn’t easy and we appreciate your honest efforts. Well played.

See you on the water,

Bryan

Public stream access

may be in jeopardy!!!

Act now!

Some recent news has been brought to my attention. I got word that there is at least (1) bill being pushed through to take away Utah’s public right to access all Utah water.

We will need to defeat any attempt to remove the existing law. This will need to be done at the grassroots level by calling, emailing or writing legislators in every district in order for them to be aware of the pending assault on the stream access ruling. This can only be achieved by contacting all of our friends and asking if they will make the small effort it takes to email their legislator. It’s going to be an uphill battle but with a joint effort we can make this happen.

So to curb any thoughts and to hit this head on before it gains momentum we need to contact our representatives and let them know we support The Utah Supreme Courts ruling, our right to access public water and will not accept anything less.

EVERYONE needs to get involved. The more letters the legislators get from more sources, the better. All you need to do is identify where you live, who your area representative is and contact them… its easy! It takes less than 5 minutes. Our small voices can and will be heard! Please call everyone you know and ask them to send an email or letter to their representative asking them to protect our right to access public water and wildlife on public waters.

“Utah Water Guardians“ have provide simple steps with easy to follow information that will allow your voice to be heard.

• Check it out —>http://utahwaterguardians.wordpress.com/action/
• Follow the quick easy steps to locate your representatives and make your voice be heard.

Get on it, the time is now! Protect what is rightfully the public’s!!!