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Elkhorn Creek, KY : American Whitewater Forums
A forum for the discussion of issues concerning the management of AW's Elkhorn Creek access by American Whitewater Affiliate Clubs.
American Whitewater’s River Access Area Management Guidelines
Posted by: singleton (IP Logged)
Date: March 11, 2008 12:36PM
American Whitewater’s River Access Area Management Guidelines
March 2008
In our ever developing nation, rivers are becoming increasingly important recreational resources. Many communities have recognized this value by designating their rivers as water trails, blue ways, parks, or open space. Accessible rivers offer children and adults alike valuable contact with nature, and the relationship people form with rivers through recreation can lead to public support for river protection.
American Whitewater seeks to protect and enhance public access to our nations in a variety of ways. We advocate for public river access areas at every hydro dam we work on. We support state and federal agencies that work on river access issues. We weigh in on river and land management plans that consider river access. We educate paddlers and landowners on river access laws. We encourage responsible enjoyment of rivers that reduces potential conflicts. We collaborate with land owners and managers on management issues and actions. In rare cases, when no other viable solution exists, we will purchase or accept land and collaboratively manage it as a public river access area with the local paddling community.
American Whitewater Owns:
• Blackwater River property in Hendricks, WV (since 1997).
• Watauga River property in Johnson Co, TN (since 1998).
• Johns Creek property in VA (since 1999)
• Elkhorn River property in KY (since 2000)
American Whitewater Manages:
• Upper Yough River property Sang Run, MD for MD Department of The Environment at $0 per year (since 2001).
American Whitewater Manages & Leases:
• Big Sandy River property, WV from Power Company (since 1992)
• Gauley River Masons Branch property, WV from local landowner (since 1993?)
Site Management
American Whitewater’s mission is focused on river stewardship, and river access areas that we manage should reflect this ethic and be fully consistent with our mission. Specifically, the sites should be environmentally protective, safe and enjoyable to visit, respectful of neighbors, and supported by the paddling community that uses the site. To accomplish these goals we have the following management guidelines for the sites we manage:
Environmental Considerations:
• Sites should be maintained in a manner that severely restricts erosion.
• Sites should be landscaped with non-invasive species.
• Sites should maintain or restore a native riparian vegetation buffer.
• High use sites may require portable toilets to avoid human waste problems.
• Vehicular traffic should be confined to acceptable areas.
Visitor Experience Considerations:
• Camping is prohibited at sites unless arrangements are made with AW.
• Commercial use is prohibited at sites unless arrangements are made with AW.
• Events are prohibited at sites unless arrangements are made with AW.
• Sites should be kept free of litter.
• Areas of grass or gravel should be maintained.
• Vehicles should not be visible from the river if possible.
• Sites should include minimal development that could fall into disrepair.
• Pets need to be leashed and attended to.
Neighborhood Considerations:
• Sites should include changing facilities as needed.
• Sites should include signs listing rules of appropriate behavior.
• Sites should be maintained in aesthetic conditions.
Local Support Considerations:
• Paddlers are expected to coordinate and conduct site maintenance with AW.
• Paddlers are expected to alert AW of any breech of site rules.
• Paddlers are expected to act responsibly when at the site.
• Paddlers are expected to support the site through donations and AW membership.
• Paddlers are expected to keep the site free of litter through regular clean-ups.
American Whitewater is proud to be able to support stream access through site management and ownership when the need arises. Maintenance of our river access areas is made possible only through close and ongoing collaboration with our members and affiliate clubs.
For information on any of our river access areas, please contact Kevin Colburn at: Kevin@amwhitewater.org.
March 2008
In our ever developing nation, rivers are becoming increasingly important recreational resources. Many communities have recognized this value by designating their rivers as water trails, blue ways, parks, or open space. Accessible rivers offer children and adults alike valuable contact with nature, and the relationship people form with rivers through recreation can lead to public support for river protection.
American Whitewater seeks to protect and enhance public access to our nations in a variety of ways. We advocate for public river access areas at every hydro dam we work on. We support state and federal agencies that work on river access issues. We weigh in on river and land management plans that consider river access. We educate paddlers and landowners on river access laws. We encourage responsible enjoyment of rivers that reduces potential conflicts. We collaborate with land owners and managers on management issues and actions. In rare cases, when no other viable solution exists, we will purchase or accept land and collaboratively manage it as a public river access area with the local paddling community.
American Whitewater Owns:
• Blackwater River property in Hendricks, WV (since 1997).
• Watauga River property in Johnson Co, TN (since 1998).
• Johns Creek property in VA (since 1999)
• Elkhorn River property in KY (since 2000)
American Whitewater Manages:
• Upper Yough River property Sang Run, MD for MD Department of The Environment at $0 per year (since 2001).
American Whitewater Manages & Leases:
• Big Sandy River property, WV from Power Company (since 1992)
• Gauley River Masons Branch property, WV from local landowner (since 1993?)
Site Management
American Whitewater’s mission is focused on river stewardship, and river access areas that we manage should reflect this ethic and be fully consistent with our mission. Specifically, the sites should be environmentally protective, safe and enjoyable to visit, respectful of neighbors, and supported by the paddling community that uses the site. To accomplish these goals we have the following management guidelines for the sites we manage:
Environmental Considerations:
• Sites should be maintained in a manner that severely restricts erosion.
• Sites should be landscaped with non-invasive species.
• Sites should maintain or restore a native riparian vegetation buffer.
• High use sites may require portable toilets to avoid human waste problems.
• Vehicular traffic should be confined to acceptable areas.
Visitor Experience Considerations:
• Camping is prohibited at sites unless arrangements are made with AW.
• Commercial use is prohibited at sites unless arrangements are made with AW.
• Events are prohibited at sites unless arrangements are made with AW.
• Sites should be kept free of litter.
• Areas of grass or gravel should be maintained.
• Vehicles should not be visible from the river if possible.
• Sites should include minimal development that could fall into disrepair.
• Pets need to be leashed and attended to.
Neighborhood Considerations:
• Sites should include changing facilities as needed.
• Sites should include signs listing rules of appropriate behavior.
• Sites should be maintained in aesthetic conditions.
Local Support Considerations:
• Paddlers are expected to coordinate and conduct site maintenance with AW.
• Paddlers are expected to alert AW of any breech of site rules.
• Paddlers are expected to act responsibly when at the site.
• Paddlers are expected to support the site through donations and AW membership.
• Paddlers are expected to keep the site free of litter through regular clean-ups.
American Whitewater is proud to be able to support stream access through site management and ownership when the need arises. Maintenance of our river access areas is made possible only through close and ongoing collaboration with our members and affiliate clubs.
For information on any of our river access areas, please contact Kevin Colburn at: Kevin@amwhitewater.org.
Re: American Whitewater’s River Access Area Management Guidelines
Posted by: singleton (IP Logged)
Date: March 11, 2008 02:58PM
Summary of March 10 Conference Call
On the evening of March 10th representatives of AW affiliate clubs and other interest groups participated in a telephone conference call to discuss future management of the Elkhorn take-out. On the call were; Darrin Hines of Vikings, Jay Thomas of Bardstown Boaters, Dave Stawicki of Elkhorn Paddlers and Zina Merkin representing EAMG. Brent Austin of BWA was unable to make the call but spoke with me later that evening. Kevin Colburn and I represented AW.
We started with a discussion of the AW property management guidelines (posted above). Their was consensus that all the groups supported those guidelines. I asked each of the representatives to share these guidelines with their clubs.
The conversation then turned to the need for toilet facilities at the take-out. It was agreed that toilet facilities were needed at the take-out from NPFF weekend through the end of June. I am working with BWA to have the port-a-potties that were installed for NPFF weekend stay in place through the end of June. AW will be covering the additional expense.
I then proposed a general structure for a leadership group that could provide AW direction when it comes to management issues at the Elkhorn take out. A general framework for that group is outlined below:
1) For lack of a better term I'm calling this the Elkhorn leadership council. The leadership council would advise AW on management needs of the Elkhorn take out in accordance with AW's property management guidelines. That group consists of representatives from the Vikings, BWA, Bardstown Boaters, EMGA and Elkhorn Paddlers.
2) Each organization represented in the leadership council would appoint a primary and secondary individual to represent that organization in the council. That way if the primary contact is unable to participate the secondary individual can step in.
3) Decisions are made through consensus. This may take a bit longer, but it gets us to a point where all the groups have buy-in to an agreed outcome. (I would note that we already used this model to get to the port-a-pottie decision above.)
Each representative on the call thought that this would be a workable solution and was asked to float the leadership council model to their respective groups. A follow up conference call will be scheduled in a few weeks after each of the representatives collects input on the leadership council model.
On the evening of March 10th representatives of AW affiliate clubs and other interest groups participated in a telephone conference call to discuss future management of the Elkhorn take-out. On the call were; Darrin Hines of Vikings, Jay Thomas of Bardstown Boaters, Dave Stawicki of Elkhorn Paddlers and Zina Merkin representing EAMG. Brent Austin of BWA was unable to make the call but spoke with me later that evening. Kevin Colburn and I represented AW.
We started with a discussion of the AW property management guidelines (posted above). Their was consensus that all the groups supported those guidelines. I asked each of the representatives to share these guidelines with their clubs.
The conversation then turned to the need for toilet facilities at the take-out. It was agreed that toilet facilities were needed at the take-out from NPFF weekend through the end of June. I am working with BWA to have the port-a-potties that were installed for NPFF weekend stay in place through the end of June. AW will be covering the additional expense.
I then proposed a general structure for a leadership group that could provide AW direction when it comes to management issues at the Elkhorn take out. A general framework for that group is outlined below:
1) For lack of a better term I'm calling this the Elkhorn leadership council. The leadership council would advise AW on management needs of the Elkhorn take out in accordance with AW's property management guidelines. That group consists of representatives from the Vikings, BWA, Bardstown Boaters, EMGA and Elkhorn Paddlers.
2) Each organization represented in the leadership council would appoint a primary and secondary individual to represent that organization in the council. That way if the primary contact is unable to participate the secondary individual can step in.
3) Decisions are made through consensus. This may take a bit longer, but it gets us to a point where all the groups have buy-in to an agreed outcome. (I would note that we already used this model to get to the port-a-pottie decision above.)
Each representative on the call thought that this would be a workable solution and was asked to float the leadership council model to their respective groups. A follow up conference call will be scheduled in a few weeks after each of the representatives collects input on the leadership council model.
Re: American Whitewater’s River Access Area Management Guidelines
Posted by: barry (IP Logged)
Date: March 11, 2008 03:54PM
Mark, thanks to you, Kevin, all the folks at AW and especially the KY AW Affiliates for stepping up and helping to develop this new management plan for the Elkhorn takeout. A big BWA hand to everyone involved!
Meanwhile, and especially on behalf of my wife and daughter, I applaud the consensus reached to keep the porta-potti out there. It was getting a little rank out behind the change rooms and in that big hollow tree over near the creek:-)
barryg
Meanwhile, and especially on behalf of my wife and daughter, I applaud the consensus reached to keep the porta-potti out there. It was getting a little rank out behind the change rooms and in that big hollow tree over near the creek:-)
barryg
Re: American Whitewater’s River Access Area Management Guidelines
Posted by: mike46molnar (IP Logged)
Date: March 14, 2008 03:53AM
The guidelines seem to be good !
Thanks for working to get this dispute resolved. Its too bad we had to take so much of your time on a matter which could have been handled locally
I look forward to the end of the on-line arguing. . . . . . . . . . . . .
Mike Molnar
Thanks for working to get this dispute resolved. Its too bad we had to take so much of your time on a matter which could have been handled locally
I look forward to the end of the on-line arguing. . . . . . . . . . . . .
Mike Molnar
Re: American Whitewater’s River Access Area Management Guidelines
Posted by: wirednut14er (IP Logged)
Date: March 15, 2008 02:12PM
It would be nice it there was an addition to the changing area or a new structure built to help conceal the porta john. While i think it will be beneficial, the EA is always bathed in the sun and will heat it up possibly causing a stinch for the neighbors to deal with. Also, if the john wouldn't be visible from the neighbors, river, or road- i think that would be a great benefit. this could be constructed in such a way that the cleaning function could still be preserved and the john could be removed. Saying this, i do feel the current changing (viewing) rooms is inadequate though serves basic service of screening from the neighbors. It may also be too close to the stream unless that is the highest ground around. By transplanting some of Zina's trees (or new evergreens) around a new location for the changing and john at the highest elevation, we could reduce the threat of the seasonal flooding and provide increased privacy and concealment from the neighbors. I could do a simple design if requested.
Dustin
Dustin
Re: American Whitewater’s River Access Area Management Guidelines
Posted by: brentaustin (IP Logged)
Date: March 15, 2008 04:58PM
Dustin, I think it would be beneficial to throw together a simple design so we can get some discussions going on it if you would like. This is the perfect forum to post such. You raise good points. I think AW was thinking that the port a johns would be there during peak season which may not include the hot summer months. BTW, I love this kind of topic on the Elkhorn takeout. It is very constructive. It would be super cool to do joint projects of this nature with the Vikings, Elkhorn Paddlers, Bardstown Boaters and any other interested paddlers on specific, set dates. Great bonding and lots of human resources to do stuff. What sayeth others?
Brent.
Brent.
Re: American Whitewater’s River Access Area Management Guidelines
Posted by: ezgpaddler (IP Logged)
Date: March 17, 2008 04:21PM
According to the AW guidelines "the property should include minimal developement that could fall into disrepair". Mark Singleton also specifically noted in his posts that "the port a potties would remain on the property through the end of June and would be maintained at the expense of the AW" as determined by the consensus of the AW, BWA, Vikings, EAMG, and Elkhorn paddlers representation.
That said I think Dustin should keep his pencil in his pocket, and our officers should represent BWA members wishes through votes and not their personal opinion or the opinion of a few members.
I see nowhere in the AW guidelines or in Mark Singleton's posts where the BWA will be given any priority for Elkhorn Acres management, only discusion regarding responsiblity for maintainence is mentioned.
The idea of dual representation by all parties and a democratic policy for management is the best solution. beyond that it is the responsibility of those representatives to voice the wishes of their respective club members and allow the democratic process to occur within the AW's governing ownership.
I am stringantly opposed to the idea of the BWA adopting the sole management responsibility or any majority privilidge of the property. If any one group should gain sole management responsibility I believe the Kentucky Dept of Fish and Wildlife should be given management authority, they have a vested interest in the wildlife, native plants, water quality, aquatic habitat, and fishery. All boaters are looking to do is park their cars and play on the water.
Further, according to the guidelines commercial use and events (like the BWA summer meetings) on the property are against AW policy. So why do they occur? Dogs are required to be leashed and yet I've seen dogs running lose prior to the meetings while everyone grills food at events that violate AW policy.
What exactly is the goal of the few BWA members who want to gain management authority over the property that is intended to give access to everyone? Yes everyone, I noted the tone of intent by AW policy to include the general public, that means the fisherman, nature lovers, hikers, and families with kids wishing to just enjoy a piece of the creek.
Gmead
That said I think Dustin should keep his pencil in his pocket, and our officers should represent BWA members wishes through votes and not their personal opinion or the opinion of a few members.
I see nowhere in the AW guidelines or in Mark Singleton's posts where the BWA will be given any priority for Elkhorn Acres management, only discusion regarding responsiblity for maintainence is mentioned.
The idea of dual representation by all parties and a democratic policy for management is the best solution. beyond that it is the responsibility of those representatives to voice the wishes of their respective club members and allow the democratic process to occur within the AW's governing ownership.
I am stringantly opposed to the idea of the BWA adopting the sole management responsibility or any majority privilidge of the property. If any one group should gain sole management responsibility I believe the Kentucky Dept of Fish and Wildlife should be given management authority, they have a vested interest in the wildlife, native plants, water quality, aquatic habitat, and fishery. All boaters are looking to do is park their cars and play on the water.
Further, according to the guidelines commercial use and events (like the BWA summer meetings) on the property are against AW policy. So why do they occur? Dogs are required to be leashed and yet I've seen dogs running lose prior to the meetings while everyone grills food at events that violate AW policy.
What exactly is the goal of the few BWA members who want to gain management authority over the property that is intended to give access to everyone? Yes everyone, I noted the tone of intent by AW policy to include the general public, that means the fisherman, nature lovers, hikers, and families with kids wishing to just enjoy a piece of the creek.
Gmead
Re: American Whitewater’s River Access Area Management Guidelines
Posted by: ezgpaddler (IP Logged)
Date: March 18, 2008 02:42PM
This idea of a new Elkhorn management council already has issues right from the get go. If the BWA was to have a representative on that conference call and Brent was unavailable shouldn´t our secondary rep. (V.P. or other) been included in the call rather than follow up with a private conversation between the AW presidant and the BWA president over an issue that is largley within the BWA and local Management of Elkhorn acres. read the post quote.
Mark Singleton:
"On the evening of March 10th representatives of AW affiliate clubs and other interest groups participated in a telephone conference call to discuss future management of the Elkhorn take-out. On the call were; Darrin Hines of Vikings, Jay Thomas of Bardstown Boaters, Dave Stawicki of Elkhorn Paddlers and Zina Merkin representing EAMG. Brent Austin of BWA was unable to make the call but spoke with me later that evening. Kevin Colburn and I represented AW."
Gmead
Mark Singleton:
"On the evening of March 10th representatives of AW affiliate clubs and other interest groups participated in a telephone conference call to discuss future management of the Elkhorn take-out. On the call were; Darrin Hines of Vikings, Jay Thomas of Bardstown Boaters, Dave Stawicki of Elkhorn Paddlers and Zina Merkin representing EAMG. Brent Austin of BWA was unable to make the call but spoke with me later that evening. Kevin Colburn and I represented AW."
Gmead
Re: American Whitewater’s River Access Area Management Guidelines
Posted by: jcalder (IP Logged)
Date: March 18, 2008 04:01PM
Very astute observation. Good point George. J
Re: American Whitewater’s River Access Area Management Guidelines
Posted by: barry (IP Logged)
Date: March 18, 2008 06:08PM
George,
Thanks for bringing your Elkhorn comments to this forum - which, BTW is completely open to the public to read and post in.
The Elkhorn council is still in the formation stages. Nothing has been decided except that AW wants a new management entity for it's property.
The BWA has yet to determine anything including who might be it's representative(s). Things are still very much taking shape and there's (hopefully) going to be folks from the Vikings, the EP, the BB and the BWA all participating. That's a lot of folks potentially involved so it's going to take some time for everyone to reach a consensus and agree on how to go forward. Everyone involved is a volunteer (except for AW staff) and getting all these folks to agree will be a time consuming, imperfect and sometimes inefficient process.
I hope you will take time to understand the issues and then give things a chance to work before slamming the process so hard. FYI, under the existing management rules, unless you pay $500, are given or inherit one, you currently have no vote in any of the decisions for takeout that might be forwarded to AW for approval. This new council that AW is asking for intends to give you (and many others) a vote. Would you agree that this idea is a goal worth taking the time necessary to work towards?
barryg
Thanks for bringing your Elkhorn comments to this forum - which, BTW is completely open to the public to read and post in.
The Elkhorn council is still in the formation stages. Nothing has been decided except that AW wants a new management entity for it's property.
The BWA has yet to determine anything including who might be it's representative(s). Things are still very much taking shape and there's (hopefully) going to be folks from the Vikings, the EP, the BB and the BWA all participating. That's a lot of folks potentially involved so it's going to take some time for everyone to reach a consensus and agree on how to go forward. Everyone involved is a volunteer (except for AW staff) and getting all these folks to agree will be a time consuming, imperfect and sometimes inefficient process.
I hope you will take time to understand the issues and then give things a chance to work before slamming the process so hard. FYI, under the existing management rules, unless you pay $500, are given or inherit one, you currently have no vote in any of the decisions for takeout that might be forwarded to AW for approval. This new council that AW is asking for intends to give you (and many others) a vote. Would you agree that this idea is a goal worth taking the time necessary to work towards?
barryg
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