Letter to House of Representatives on Huffman Amendment to H.R. 953

The United States House of RepresentativesWashington, DC 20515May 23, 2017Dear Representative:On behalf of thousands of tribal, commercial, and recreational fishermen who depend on healthy fisheries for their subsistence, traditional cultural practices, businesses, and recreational enjoyment, we write to urge you to vote YES on the Huffman amendment to H.R. 953. The amendment would ensure that existing Federal Water Pollution Control Act (FWPCA) permitting requirements for point source polluters remain in place when science clearly indicates they are needed to protect fisheries.Under §402 of the FWPCA, the Administrator of the EPA may issue permits for point source discharges of approved pesticides, herbicides, and fungicides into navigable waters, which are also inhabited by many important and valuable fish species that are worth billions of dollars to fishermen and anglers each year. H.R. 953 would eliminate the EPA’s permitting authority for approved pesticides, herbicides, and fungicides discharged into navigable waters. Many of these chemicals, despite their approval for agricultural use, are known to be seriously harmful to iconic fish species including salmon and trout, jeopardizing their survival and posing a risk to the food supply.Congressman Huffman’s amendment to H.R. 953 would simply leave EPA permitting requirements in place for the dumping of pesticides, herbicides, and fungicides into our streams and rivers when they are known to pose a significant risk to fisheries. We ask that you support this amendment in order to keep America’s fisheries and strong fishing traditions alive, safe, and prosperous. If you have any questions, please call Noah Oppenheim, Executive Director of the Pacific Coast Federation of Fishermen’s Associations, at (415) 561-5080.Sincerely,Noah OppenheimExecutive DirectorPacific Coast Federation of Fishermen’s AssociationsLeaf HillmanDirector, Department of Natural Resources Karuk TribeKaruk TribeCaleen SiskChiefWinnemem Wintu TribeRobert VandermarkExecutive DirectorMarine Fish Conservation NetworkKevin WheelerExecutive DirectorSeafood Harvesters of AmericaRoger ThomasPresidentGolden Gate Salmon AssociationBob ReesExecutive DirectorAssociation of Northwest SteelheadersLinda BehnkenExecutive DirectorAlaska Longline Fishermen’s AssociationGrant PutnamPresidentNorthwest Guides and Anglers AssociationBenjamin BulisPresidentAmerican Fly Fishing Trade AssociationLyf GildersleeveOwnerFlying Fish CompanyKevin ScribnerChief ExecutiveOfficer Forever Wild SeafoodCynthia SarthouExecutive DirectorGulf Restoration Network