Trout Unlimited launched a campaign today to publicaly thank U.S. Congressman Dave Reichert (R-Auburn, District 8) for his votes and leadership on water and energy issues.

Last week, Rep. Reichert voted in favor of an amendment to HR 3408 that would prevent increased oil shale speculation. Despite his vote, the amendment failed and HR 3408 ultimately passed in the U.S. House of Representatives.

he bill would open two million acres of public lands to for potential oil shale development and mandate commercial oil shale leasing on 125,000 acres of public lands.

“Hunters and anglers across the West thank Representative Reichert for his recent votes opposing oil shale speculation on public lands,” said Gregg Bafundo, Washington field coordinator for Trout Unlimited. “While Washington does not have oil shale deposits, the states that do – Colorado, Utah and Wyoming – offer some of the best backcountry hunting and fishing in America, and many hunters and anglers from Washington visit these states for their trophy elk and deer hunting and native trout fishing opportunities.”

Should it ever become commercially viable, oil shale development has the potential to significantly degrade the quality fish and wildlife habitat that sportsmen rely on, opponents say.

Trout Unlimited, the oldest cold-water conservation group in the United States, is recognizing the Reichert with the roll out of this campaign, placing ads in local and statewide outlets, such as the Wenatchee World, Bellevue Reporter and Seattle Times.