This week, our representative John Atkinson traveled to Washington, D.C., alongside James Stone of the Nor Cal Guides and Sportsmen Association (NCGASA), and George Bradshaw representing Pacific Coast Federation of Fishermen’s Associations (PCFFA) and Sara Bates representing the Pacific Coast Federation of Fishermen’s Associations  (PCFFA) and Sacramento River settlement contractors. Their mission: to advocate for the establishment of a new salmon hatchery on the main stem of the Sacramento River as well as other projects.

Over the course of the trip, the delegation held productive meetings with more than 18 offices and agencies, including NOAA, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and the Bureau of Reclamation within the Department of the Interior. Their message was clear and united — the time is now to invest in the recovery of our salmon runs.

We are pleased to report that our representatives’ efforts were met with strong interest and support. We are incredibly grateful to all who took the time to meet and listen, and we appreciate the collaboration and shared vision that emerged from these discussions.

A special thank you goes out to the Bridge Group for their continued efforts and support throughout this important process. Together, we are working toward a future where salmon thrive once again in California.