By LEN LICHVAR, Daily American Outdoors Correspondent

Anglers in Somerset County as well as the rest of the state are anxiously looking forward to the opening day of trout season in just a few weeks. This ritual is an integral part of the state's angling tradition. However, a threat to this long standing tradition and the cold water resource itself is looming larger every day.

Scientific evidence now points to climate change, often referred to as global warming, as the greatest single threat to our natural as well as human resources.

According to Ed Perry, Global Warming Coordinator for the National Wildlife Federation, "Pennsylvania is predicted to lose 50 percent of its trout habitat in the coming decades. Other states such as North Carolina and Virginia could lose up to 90 percent of habitat." Perry has been traveling the state for many months informing sportsmen and conservation groups and everyone else about the documented climate trends and their potential impacts. He brought his program to the Mountain Laurel Chapter of Trout Unlimited recently.

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