Yesterday, the Gifford Pinchot Task Force submitted comments to the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife supporting their proposal to purchase 1,430 acres surrounding Merrill Lake! Merrill Lake is one of the areas best fly fishing destinations. Its pristine waters are tucked away just southwest of Mount St. Helens and are left untouched by internal combustion marine engines. The 1,430 acres proposed for acquisition are home to teeming populations of elk, deer, northern spotted owl, steelhead, and Chinook, not to mention diverse habitats of lava beds, old growth forest, forested shorelines, waterfalls, riparian zones, and wetlands. We passionately support the protection of Merrill Lake to prevent recreational development and damaging timber harvests to this beautiful area. The increased connectivity of protected forested lands is critical to the preservation and strengthening of healthy habitats and forest populations!
Posted on: Thu, 30 Jan 2014 15:40:07 +0000