News Release Archive

Bureau of Reclamation Renews Agreement with C.A.S.T for Kids Foundation

Agreement Provides Recreational Fishing Opportunities for Children with Disabilities and Children Who Experience Disadvantages in their Lives

Media Contact: Peter Soeth, 303-445-3615, psoeth@usbr.gov

For Release: June 05, 2015

WASHINGTON - Bureau of Reclamation Commissioner Estevan López announced today that Reclamation and the Catch a Special Thrill (C.A.S.T.) for Kids Foundation have signed a five-year cooperative agreement continuing to make outdoor recreational fishing opportunities accessible at Reclamation reservoirs for children with disabilities and children who experience disadvantages in their lives.

"C.A.S.T. is a wonderful program that provides opportunities for children that they may never get otherwise," Commissioner López said. "Reclamation supports activities that brings families into America's Great Outdoors and provides unique water-related recreational opportunities for the youth of America."

Reclamation's work with C.A.S.T. also supports the Department of the Interior's Youth Initiative that seeks to bridge the growing disconnect between young people and the outdoors. C.A.S.T. events allow participants to leave their cares on the shore and enjoy a fun, on-the-water outdoor fishing experience.

The first C.A.S.T event was held in 1992 at Banks Lake in eastern Washington. Since 2010, Reclamation has hosted 3,392 children, their families and caregivers attending events. These events were supported by nearly 8,000 volunteers including boat captains who took the children out on the reservoirs. Reclamation will be hosting approximately 15 events in 2015.

In 2012, Reclamation and other federal agencies signed a Memorandum of Understanding to provide a general framework for cooperation among the agencies and C.A.S.T. for increased opportunities for individuals served by C.A.S.T. to use and enjoy outdoor recreation on federal lands and waters.

To learn more about C.A.S.T. and events at Reclamation reservoirs and around the country, please visit http://www.usbr.gov/youth and http://www.castforkids.org/.

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The Bureau of Reclamation is a federal agency under the U.S. Department of the Interior and is the nation's largest wholesale water supplier and second largest producer of hydroelectric power. Our facilities also provide substantial flood control, recreation opportunities, and environmental benefits. Visit our website at https://www.usbr.gov and follow us on Twitter @USBR; Facebook @bureau.of.reclamation; LinkedIn @Bureau of Reclamation; Instagram @bureau_of_reclamation; and YouTube @reclamation.