February Volunteer of the Month Presented by Kokatat

American Whitewater would like to recognize Theresa Simsiman as our February Volunteer of the Month!

Theresa Simsiman has been a whitewater paddler since 1999. In that short time she has made many significant contributions to rivers in California.  In addition to being an active member of the whitewater community near her home in Coloma, Theresa decided that she wanted to give something back to this sport that she loved so much. In 2005, Theresa became involved in the relicensing of the hydropower project that controls most of the South Fork American River where she lives. This project, which is operated by the Sacramento municipal utility District (SMUD), had been undergoing relicensing that started in 2001. Negotiations surrounding releases on some of the reaches for this project, particularly the Slab Creek reach of the South Fork American River, had reached an impasse. Theresa, along with fellow collaborator Hilde Schweitzer, organized several mass showings at SMUD board meetings. This groundswell of support that they created helped to move SMUD off of their total refusal to provide releases for Whitewater boating and the other flow measures supported by resource agencies and other conservation groups. This process ultimately culminated in the signing of a settlement agreement in January of 2007. 

In 2009 Theresa agreed to participate as American Whitewater’s representative to the Mokelume Ecological Resources Committee. American Whitewater signed the settlement agreement for this project back in 2000. Part of this agreement provides for recreation releases on the Devils nose and Tiger Creek reaches of the Mokelumne River. These releases have become extremely popular over the past several years.  Her participation in the implementation of this license agreement is critical to ensure that paddlers interest are being protected. 

Teresa is also representing American Whitewater in the battle to keep the East Bay municipal utility District (EBMUD) from raising the Pardee dam on the Mokelumne River.  Raising this dam would inundate parts of the Mokelumne River that American Whitewater fought to protect and restore as part of the relicensing settlement agreement. 

Having paddlers such as Teresa that are willing to give back to Rivers is critical for American whitewater’s success. American Whitewater is actually a relatively small conservation organization, however, through the efforts of volunteers like Theresa Simsiman we have been able to bring about significant improvement to the rivers that we all love to paddle.

In recognition of her efforts Theresa will be receiving an OuterCore Long-Sleeve Shirt from Kokatat!