Yellowstone 2 Yukon encounters opposition

The following email was received from Helen Cherullo, Publisher of Mountaineers Books. She warns of a movement to undermine the efforts of the Yellowstone to Yukon Conservation Initiative. You can also view a summary of the Washington Senate Bill 5318, which supports the Y2Y movement.

There will be a hearing in Olympia on Wednesday, February 27 at 8 a.m. in House Hearing Room B in the John L. O'Brien Building.

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Over the past two years we have worked extensively with Florian Schulz and the Yellowstone to Yukon Conservation Initiative to educate and promote the Y2Y vision through his book "Yellowstone to Yukon: Freedom to Roam." Through his book, media, and public outreach efforts-- including an exhibit at the Burke Museum last year seen by over 45,000 people-- we hope to inspire a greater public understanding of this thoughtful and visionary plan.

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Senate Bill 5318 will help preserve outdoor values for Washington citizens by promoting the collaboration between state agencies and the Yellowstone to Yukon Conservation Initiative (Y2Y) in Washington’s portion of the Yellowstone to Yukon region. Y2Y works collaboratively with government, ranchers, farmers, hunters, anglers, Native Americans, researchers and non-government organizations to ensure that outdoor values and wildlife can be enjoyed by all for now and future generations. The vision for wildlife to move freely across the landscape is shared by Americans and Canadians alike, all along the mountainous spine of the continent. Senate Bill 5318 not only reflects the interests of the individuals from Washington who have supported the vision with over $20 million in ten years, but also fellow Americans across the country.

1) If you haven't done so, call your legislators and express your opinion on Y2Y. You can find out their contact information by plugging in your address/etc. at: http://apps.leg.wa.gov/DistrictFinder/Default.aspx

2) Call Cameron Duncan, 360-786-7144, staffer of the Agriculture
and Natural Resource Committee if you would like to testify regarding the bill;

3) The hearing will be at 8:00AM in House Hearing Room B in the
John L. O'Brien Building. You may want to get there early, as they're expecting a packed house;


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PLEASE NOTE THAT THERE IS INTENSE OPPOSITION BEING MOBILIZED TO STRIKE DOWN SUPPORT FOR Y2Y-- manifest in the following email we received from Chuck Cushman of Land Rights:

"Y2Y will do great damage to ranchers, miners, forestry, farmers, and all kinds of other users. It would strangle rural communities with new regulations. A vast series of new series of land regulations will be imposed to control land use jeopardizing private property rights and economic growth.

This vast Eco-System land grab affects large portions of Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana and Wyoming.

If Y2Y passes into law in Washington, it will set the stage to pass it into law in the other states. People living in other states affected by Y2Y must get in touch with their legislators immediately and head Y2Y off.

It will likely be introduced in Congress.

You can make Y2Y less likely by killing it in Washington State now."

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It is unfortunate to see this kind of fearful and misinformed backlash-- a complete misinterpretation of the Y2Y initiative.

Let's make Y2Y MORE likely by supporting it in Washington state now!

Helen Cherullo
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