Habitat degradation and landloss are destroying one of nation's most precious ecosystems, and more than a few sportsmen have had enough.
In an open letter to congress, more than 600 outdoor businesses and organizations demanded action to restore areas along the Mississippi River and the Gulf Coast and prevent further damage. They don't think that a proposed settlement by BP Oil of as much as $25 million dollars, which would free the oil conglomerate, from further monetary obligation resulting from the spill cleanup, is sufficient. The Justice Department is considering the settlement this month, according to Outdoor Hub.
Groups like "The National Wildlife Federation" are pushing for a bill called the RESTORE Gulf Coast Act, which would help make restorations by BP go straight to Gulf restoration. Said NWF's Senior Manager for Sportsmen Leadership Land Tawney:
“The delta has suffered years of damage and is being lost at an alarming rate—a football field of land disappears every hour,” Tawney continued. “The oil spill added insult to injury for this area and the entire Gulf region. Now is the time for Congress to pass the RESTORE Act, to ensure that oil spill fines reach the Gulf, where the latest round of damage was done.”
Here's wishing them luck. – Rick Bach
There aren't many yellow perch that would make a meal in of themselves, but this one might qualify.
