Keep this number for assistance in the Great Smoky Mountains Nation Park - (865) 436-1230. This number connects to the Park Dispatch Office and should be used in non-emergency situations. For boaters who regularly paddle in the Park it is advisable to program the number in your cell phone.

Earlier this week Jackson County, NC county Commissioners decided to attempt a takeover of Dillsboro Dam on the Tuckaseegee River using their power of eminent domain, also known as condemnation. It remains unclear if they can legally accomplish this feat, however it is almost certain that this development will delay the restoration activities planned all along the Tuckaseegee River.

American Whitewater and our attorneys have been in contact with US Forest Service officials at the local, regional, and National level asking for prompt resolution of the mismanagement of the Chattooga, which has now been delayed over 2 years. The USFS has not set a new deadline for releasing their long overdue decision, nor shared a reason for the delays.

The 2009 French Broad River Cleanup was a huge success. Over 30 individuals participated in the cleanup on May 1st.

South Carolina's Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) has requested public comment regarding a proposed dam on Ferguson Creek, an important tributary to the South Tyger River and popular Tyger River whitewater runs. Please consider writing a letter to DHEC similar to the below asking them to address several concerns.

American Whitewater Board Member Rich Bowers and AW's Jeff Paine talk with John Grace over at LVM about AW's work to secure releases on the Tallulah Gorge in Georgia.

Highlights include video from the past weekend's release and Rich telling the story of a power company official's change of heart the moment he saw Oceana with water in it for the first time. Check it out!

Last week Senator Feingold (D-WI) reintroduced the Clean Water Restoration Act (CWRA), S. 787. This legislation will maintain the basic protection for rivers that we all appreciate and likely take for granted through restoring the reach of the Clean Water Act to headwater streams. We would like to thank Senator Feingold for looking out for one of our most basic human needs - clean water. Please call your Senator in the next week and voice your support.

American Whitewater has joined the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in their Green Power Partnership. AW has purchased enough renewable energy certificates (RECs) from Clean Currents, a leading supplier of wind energy credits, to offset energy usage in our national office.

Removal of the Dillsboro Dam is another step closer. Superior Court Judge Laura Bridges ordered Jackson county officials to "immediately process and issue" permits that Duke Energy needs to begin dredging sediment behind the Dillsboro dam in preparation for removal.