Unique Environment of People, Fish, and Wildlife - Bill Bakke, Portland

[Sent to Senate Rules COmmittee and Reps. Merkley and Hunt:]

The Metolius River watershed is a unique environment of people, fish and wildlife and should not be compromised and degraded by development of mega-resorts. I support SB 30 in its original vision and encourage you to take action to protect this remarkably beautiful Oregon asset. I have worked for over 20 years to improve wild rainbow trout and bull trout populations in this watershed and this work has paid off with more abundance and diversity of wild fish. I have also worked with PGE, the Warm Springs Tribes, and local stakeholders to re-introduce sea run salmon and steelhead into this watershed. All this work and commitment by agencies, the local community, and citizens is threatened by resort development in the watershed. Passage of SB 30 with its original vision protects this investment of time, money and passion for this beautiful and productive watershed. Please do not let all this value be squandered by developers.

Bill M. Bakke
Portland, Oregon
www.nativefishsociety.org