Wild Steelhead Coalition
			est. 2000 An organization dedicated to increasing the return of wild  steelhead to the waters of the Pacific Northwest

Vice President of Political Affairs, Todd Ripley

Todd has enjoyed fishing for steelhead in Washington for nearly 25 of his 31 years.  Camping, hiking, biking, and other outdoor activities consume as much of his time as possible, especially if there’s a good river wherever he’s camping or hiking.  His love for all things steelhead eventually lead him to Western Washington University where he graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Marine Biology and a minor in Chemistry.  He also played shortstop for the WWU Vikings for a few of his years there.  After a couple of years as a biologist, it was back to school, this time Gonzaga University School of Law in Spokane.  In 1998 he graduated magna cum laude with an emphasis in environmental law.

After passing the bar, Todd accepted an appointment as an Assistant Attorney General with the Washington State Attorney General’s Office, where he represented the Department of Fish and Wildlife.  There his work centered around tribal hunting  and fishing rights, enforcement of forfeiture laws against commercial poaching operations, habitat conservation plans under the Endangered Species Act, and other state and federal environmental laws and regulations.  Todd currently plans to spend as much time and effort as possible to further the needs of wild steelhead runs.

"In the short time I've lived in this region we've seen so many declines in wild steelhead numbers and fishing opportunities. Ironically, I moved to Seattle in 1988 with hopes of enjoying the kind of steelhead fishing that had been long-lost in my home region of Northern California. For me, it's time to stop chasing after yesteryear's fish, and take a stand for restoration, right here, right now. The Wild Steelhead Coalition has the kind of enthusiastic, committed, and talented people needed to help turn the troubling trends in our steelhead populations around. Like a lot of the group's members, I'm new to the world of volunteer conservation organizations, yet eager to get involved with the heavy lifting that we must embrace if we wish to succeed."

“The last remaining healthy runs of wild steelhead in the lower 48 are here in Washington and Oregon, and rebuilding the depressed runs while aggressively protecting the less depressed runs is the most fitting legacy we can leave to the generations to come.  Wild steelhead are a Pacific Northwest icon, an important part of the history and lore of Washington.  I envision the Wild Steelhead Coalition to be just that- a coalition, not just of different types of fishermen, but a coalition of all who enjoy or benefit from the protection of the wild runs.  They are too valuable, historically, sentimentally, and economically to harvest directly or allow their indirect destruction from other activities that affect their survival.  I am proud to be a part of an organization that shares  those same values.”