LETTER: Local Fly-Fishing Guides and Angling Community Support Proposed Sáttítla Medicine Lake Highlands National Monument
In a letter to President Joe Biden, members of the local angling and outdoor guiding community joined in support of protecting Sáttítla as not only a step towards honoring the cultural value of this landscape and heightening water security in California, but also as critical benefit to the local economy that includes anglers, fly-fishing guides, lodge/hospitality staff, and others.
Download the full letter here.
April 28, 2024
President of the United States
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue
Washington, DC 20500
Re: Local Fly-Fishing Guides and Angling Community Support Proposed Sáttítla Medicine Lake Highlands National Monument
President Biden,
We express our full support to designate the proposed Sáttítla, a highlands region in Northeastern California, as a national monument. These lands hold volcanically formed aquifers beneath their surface, supporting spring complexes that birth rivers essential for the economic, cultural, and ecological prosperity of both the region and the state.
The economic stability of this region hinges on the health of these local spring-fed river systems.
Anglers come from across the nation to fish the Fall River complex, fed by springs originating from Sáttítla, a region often referred to as Medicine Lake Highlands. This has led to the emergence of many local jobs, such as fly-fishing guides, hospitality positions, and more. The existence of these jobs is directly tied to the health of these river systems through the health of local fisheries. We know through scientific research that these world class wild trout fisheries thrive due to the unique, consistent flows provided by these year-round spring systems. These flows support vast networks of aquatic plants and insects, which are the foundation of this abundant ecosystem.
This tribally-led effort benefits the many communities of Northeastern California who depend directly on the land and water within the proposed protected area for their livelihood. Permanently protecting these lands under a national monument designation will ensure no resource development will disrupt this vulnerable landscape – not only safeguarding a way of life, but preserving the wide-scale economic, cultural, and ecological benefit it provides.
The advantages of protecting the Sáttítla reach well beyond Northeastern California. The spring-fed rivers of this region provide critical water resources to millions of Californians downstream. Ongoing scientific research also explores how these spring-fed systems might support overall ecosystem health under the increasingly dramatic drought-flood cycles that our climate is facing in California.
Led by the Pit River Tribe, the effort to protect these lands is not only is a step towards honoring the cultural value of this landscape and heightening water security in California, but is a critical benefit to the local economy that includes anglers, fly-fishing guides, lodge/hospitality staff, and more.
We thank you in advance for listening to the voice of the local angling & guiding community, and honoring the Pit River Tribe’s long-standing efforts by taking immediate action to designate Sáttítla as a national monument.
Respectfully,
Jason Kash
Caretaker Kerry Landreth Preserve
The Nature Conservancy
Bucko Theriot
Partner/Guide
530 Outfitters
Capt. Andrew Harris
Owner/Guide
Confluence Outfitters
Ryan Avezzie
Owner/Guide
Avezzie Fly Fishing
Anthony Carruesco
Owner/Guide
AC Fly Fishing
John Fochetti
Owner/Guide
John Fochetti Fly Fishing
Russ Kegler
Professional Fly Fishing Guide
Bryan Quick
Director of Outfitters
The Fly Shop
Mike Mercer
Travel Specialist
The Fly Shop
Paul Lenos
Owner, Guide
Four Winds Guide Service