Region News

Last week President Bush signed a bill making Wild Sky the first new wilderness area in Washington State in more than a quarter century. The new wilderness includes the headwaters of several whitewater runs including the North Fork Skykomish, Silver Creek, Rapid, and Beckler.

Congratulations to Steve Mills for winning the April pair of Smith Optics Sunglasses.  Join or donate to be entered in for the next pair of sunglasses and the trip in Ecuador with Small World Adventures.  Help AW protect rivers here in the states and you could win a trip with Small World Adventures in Ecuador.   With generous support from Smith Optics and Small World Adventures American Whitewater is hosting a fundraising and membership drive ending on October 1, 2008.  Anyone who joins or renews their AW membership or donates at least $10 to support our river stewardship efforts will be entered in a raffle to a week long trip in Ecuador with Small World Adventures and monthly prizes from Smith Sport Optics. 

Earlier today the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission issued a new 30 year license for the Prospect Hydroelectric Project (P-2630) on the North Fork of the Rogue River in southern Oregon. FERC addressed our requests in the issuance of the new license for restored flows, public access to the river, and flow information.

Today Congressmen Peter DeFazio (D-Ore.) and Earl Blumenauer (D-Ore.) announced their plan for increasing Wild and Scenic Rivers in Oregon this year. Their vision includes adding 79.6 miles of Wild and Scenic Rivers on the Mt. Hood National Forest and 142.9 miles of tributaries to the Lower Rogue Wild and Scenic River.

The Oregon Department of State Lands has recently released a Rogue River Navigability Report concluding that the 89 mile stretch of the Rogue River from Lost Creek Dam to Grave Creek meets the federal test for navigability. The paddling community can support this finding by attending a public meeting (3/19) or providing public comment (by 3/26) to the State Land Board.

Construction of Elk Creek Dam in the Rogue River basin was halted in 1988. Since that time the dam has remained as a barrier to fish and navigation. This week the Army Corps of Engineers awarded a contract to notch the dam this year.

Lewis County PUD will be opening the gate to the Cispus River take-out on selected dates this spring and paddlers are encouraged to come take advantage of the opportunity to gain easy access to this run.

American Whitewater and Clif Bar are pleased to announce the 6th annual Clif Bar Flowing Rivers Campaign, pledging $2,500 to American Whitewater Affiliate Clubs for river stewardship work. Funding for this very effective program is provided by Clif Bar. American Whitewater Affiliate Clubs have the opportunity to apply for one of two $1,250 grants. Grants will be distributed to clubs for projects that promote river stewardship, conservation, access and/or safety education on our nation’s rivers.

The weekend of March 15th Blue Sky Outfitters will host the Skagit River Clean-up. This will be the third year of this annual event to celebrate the beauty of the only designated Wild and Scenic River in Western Washington. The day will begin with the river clean-up (meeting at 10 am) and the day will end with a great party on the Skagit River including a dinner and a raffle with proceeds going to support AW's Pacific Northwest Stewardship work.

Late yesterday FERC issued a letter rejecting the Preliminary Permit Application for the McKenzie River Hydro Project by Principle Power Hydro. In the letter FERC stated that the application "patently fails to conform to the Commission's regulations" and went on to cite several deficiencies with the application.

AW has completed a study of instream flow needs for recreation on the Crooked River in Oregon. The information will provide river managers with important information on how the river is used by whitewater paddlers.

Last month Principle Power Hydro based in San Francisco filed an application with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission for a preliminary permit to develop a series of 9 hydropower projects on the McKenzie River outside of Eugene, OR. These projects would be constructed on the reach from Paradise Campground to Leaburg Dam.