My wife Kristi and I live about a mile and a half north of Wilson where we are surrounded by beautiful Fish Creek and the many small streams and tributaries that feed into it. Living here, surrounded by water, I witness every day how critically important clean, sustainable water resources are to all of the wildlife and beauty that makes this valley such a unique and special place.
As with everyone else who calls this valley home, water is at the center of almost everything I do everyday. From my first cup of coffee in the morning, to fly-fishing, drift boating, kayaking, canoeing, or just sitting on the bank of a river, stream or lake and watching the raptors, waterfowl, ungulates and other multitude of wildlife that rely on clean, healthy, unpolluted water resources to thrive.’
I joined the board of POWJH when it was known as Friends of Fish Creek. It was obvious at that time that the ecological health of Fish Creek was in serious decline. As POWJH studied the causes of that decline, it became apparent that all the sources of pollution negatively impacting Fish Creek are also impacting the surface waters and groundwater throughout our valley. Fish Creek, it turns out, is the proverbial “Canary in the coal mine” telling us that our valley’s water resources are under serious threat.
Water is the lifeblood of this valley. Our health, economy, housing, recreation, and wildlife are totally dependent on having healthy surface waters and groundwaters. Unfortunately, those responsible for protecting our precious water resources have failed, for over 40 years, to take this vital issue seriously and take steps necessary to reclaim and protect our water resources. That is why POWJH exists; to serve as a powerful advocate for reducing nutrient pollution and protecting water quality in the Jackson Hole Valley, both now and in the future. I consider myself fortunate to be able to serve on its board.