Without a doubt, 2015 was USAC's biggest year to date. We met and exceeded our fundraising goals. We received our first grant. We garnered the most media attention that we've ever had. We expanded our membership by over 20%. We helped empower our fellow anglers and boaters in New Mexico to oppose their new stream access law. We spent 10 days in trial for two different lawsuits, and prevailed in both cases. The "one-mile-stretch" of the Upper Weber was determined navigable, and HB141 was declared unconstitutional. The rights of the public to recreate on Utah's rivers and streams was restored. What a year!
We couldn't have reached this point without the numerous people who have contributed their time, efforts, passion, and hard earned money towards this cause. From our
pro bono counsel, to the historians and volunteer map-makers, to those manning USAC booths at fundraising events, or contributing $10 from each paycheck, we thank all of you for making this past year such a success. W
e are grassroots, and we are stopping the movement to privatize our public resource in its tracks.
So, what does 2016 have in store for us? The 2016 legislative session is only 3 weeks away. It is unclear at this point whether the issue of stream access will be addressed this session, and if years past are any indication it may be put aside until the Utah Supreme Court has their say. However, we still need you to be ready to mobilize, for better or for worse, should something happen in the legislature.
That starts
right now, by contacting your Representative and Senator. Tell them that you support the public's
right to use the public's resource. Tell them that you support enforcement of
existing laws to protect against littering, trespass, and vandalism.
We also will be at a number of fly fishing film screenings in Utah, Salt Lake, and Summit County throughout the winter and spring. Interested in hosting an event or film festival in your area to support USAC? Let us know! Contact Jarrod Kear (
[email protected], 801-949-9302) for more info.
Thanks for helping make 2015 a banner year for stream access. Let's carry this momentum into 2016!
