Highlights of USGS Budget Changes for Water Programs in FY03

American Whitewater Articles & Resources

USGS Streamgaging Needs $40M Budget Overall (2001)

AW Delivers Tellico Gauge (2001)

Bush Recommends 40% Cut in Streamgaging (2001)

AW Helps USGS Get $9.9M Increase for Streamgaging (2000)

1. Identify yourself as a whitewater boater; mention your affiliation with American Whitewater, and briefly explain why you want to see the USGS Streamgaging program fully funded at the $40M level supported by American Whitewater.

2. Ask your Congressional representative to support increased funding for streamgaging, or at a minimum maintain the program at FY2002 enacted levels ($14.3M).

3. Provide additional details about how the loss of streamgages directly affects you, and why your representative should help you. Emphasize the public interest behind your request, cite how often you check the gauges, and how much you spend on a typical day of travel for boating.

4. Finally, sign, date, and mail your letter and provide a return address. If you have an extra moment send a copy to American Whitewater so we can reference it when we visit your representative on the Hill.

5. We are also looking for photographs of these river sections for our website. If you have pictures that you’d like to share, please post them.