The California Department of Boating and Waterways wants to know your needs for
non motorized access and facility improvements. This is a tremendous
opportunity for the whitewater community to get river access improvements
particularly on rivers with upcoming whitewater releases like the North Fork
Feather. The deadline is early December.
The Department of Boating and Waterways serves all segments of California?s
boating public: powerboaters and sailboaters; personal watercraft users;
windsurfers and water skiers; kayakers, canoeists and rafters. One of the
Department¹s primary objectives is to plan and develop boating facilities in
environmentally acceptable areas with priority on the development or expansion
of facilities where the greatest needs exist. The Department?s budget is
typically dominated by improvements for motorized watercraft. This year the
Department is launching an online survey to query the interests and needs of the
non-motorized boating community. This survey is an opportunity for all
interested non-motorized boaters to help the Department determine and prioritize
the greatest facility needs. The survey is available at
http://www.baskers.org/survey.html. Take the time to fill out this survey.
Encourage your paddling friends to complete the survey as well. The deadline
is early December. If you have any questions contact Wendy Pratt at the
Department of Boating and Waterways, wendypratt@newpointgroup.com.
Addendum from John Gangemi, American Whitewater staff:
American Whitewater recently signed an agreement with PG&E for an annual
schedule of whitewater releases on the Rock Creek and Cresta sections of the
North Fork Feather River. PG&E?s series of dams, diversions and powerhouses
have greatly impeded access and parking in this narrow canyon. The existing
access and facilities will not support the anticipated demand for the Feather
River on whitewater release weekends. As part of the agreement PG&E is required
to provide $100,000 in access improvements and an additional $200,000 in
matching funds. American Whitewater encourages boaters to highlight the Rock
Creek and Cresta sections of the North Fork Feather in the Department of Boating
and Waterways survey. Department funds can trigger the disbursement of matching
funds from PG&E.