Trout Clout: Support the PUBLIC Lands Act

Published 8/27/2020 | California Trout

Protect California’s public lands and support the outdoor recreation economy

Fish. Water. People. Since 1971, California Trout has been working to ensure resilient wild fish thrive in healthy waters. From our inception, CalTrout lead the Wild Trout Program and played an instrumental role in forming the California Wild and Scenic Rivers Act. We are now asking our members to help protect our natural landscapes by telling Congress to pass the PUBLIC Lands Act.

U.S. Senators Kamala D. Harris (D-CA) and Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) in February 2020 introduced the Protecting Unique and Beautiful Landscapes by Investing in California (PUBLIC) Lands Act, a package of three previously introduced bills that would increase protections and access for over 1 million acres of California lands, including nearly 600,000 acres of new wilderness and over 100,000 acres of new national monuments.

We urge Senator’s Kamala Harris and Diane Feinstein to show leadership in supporting the protection of these important California landscapes.

Take Action. Send a letter to Senator Kamala Harris and Diane Feinstein

Send a Letter

Overview

California boasts a $92 billion outdoor economy—the largest in the United States—that supports nearly 700,000 jobs. Our public lands are worth protecting and restoring for future generations to enjoy, and for the clean air, water, and jobs that these public lands provide for communities throughout the state.

Smith River. Photo: Keith Brauneis

Northwest California is home to the majestic Smith River, ancient redwoods and old-growth forests. Today, some of these landscapes are not fully protected, and others are not managed to their full potential: we can do more to ensure fire resilience, support healthy wildlife, and spur outdoor recreation. After hearing from countless constituents and stakeholders to address these issues, this a carefully developed bill to protect the communities and lands we value most.

This legislation will protect important wild places on federal lands, restore forests and fish habitat, benefit local economies, enhance recreational opportunities, and protect communities by increasing fire resilience. It will not expand federal land, limit hunting or fishing, close any legally open roads or trails to vehicles, or affect access to or the use of private property.

CalTrout’s South Coast Native Rainbow Trout Subpopulation Expansion Plan Project is located in the San Gabriel Mountains, an area that this bill will protect.

The bill combines three previously introduced bills:

The Northwest California Wilderness, Recreation, and Working Forests Act, led in the House by Rep. Jared Huffman (CA-2), will restore historically damaged forests and watersheds, establish and expand wilderness, and improve outdoor recreation opportunities and access throughout Northwest California.
The Central Coast Heritage Protection Act, led in the House by Rep. Salud Carbajal (CA-24), will designate new portions of the Los Padres National Forest and Carrizo Plain National Monument as wilderness and establish a 400-mile long trail from Los Angeles County to Monterey County.
The San Gabriel Mountains Foothills and Rivers Protection Act, led in the House by Rep. Judy Chu (CA-27), will expand the boundaries of the San Gabriel Mountains National Monument, protect wilderness and wild rivers, and establish a new National Recreation Area.