American Whitewater is happy to report that New York area paddlers got a very special Christmas gift this year - two days early.  <?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />

The Ausable River is one of AW's 2004 Top River Issues because a dam owner on the river has been actively seeking to deny public access to the whitewater river downstream of their dam.  On December 23rd, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission dealt the power company a lump of coal, a denial of their attempts to exclude paddlers and to cancel paddling studies.  The FERC ultimately supported the arguments laid out in a long series of comments filed by American Whitewater - and concluded that river access is possible on the Ausable.  The FERC has called for the completion of a flow study and other associated studies, and has affirmed that inherent issues relating to risk and rescue do not warrant banning paddling.  

While we consider this a major milestone in a very important case, there is absolutely nothing unusual about this FERC decision.  What is unusual is the attitude of the power company toward whitewater paddling and their attempts to lock paddlers out of the river.  We are pleased to report that the FERC has made a good, consistent decision that supports river access below hydro dams - regardless of a dam owner's protests.  

Check out our Top River Issue article for more background on the Ausable: 

http://www.americanwhitewater.org/archive/article/1225/#sar_aus

Check out our most recent Comments on the Ausable:

http://www.americanwhitewater.org/resources/repository/Ausable%20AW%20FERC%20EA%20Comments.doc

This case is a strong example of how American Whitewater is constantly working to protect the interests of the paddling public.  We hope that you will consider becoming a new member of American Whitewater , or renewing your membership for 2005.  Your support is essential to our ability to work with the paddling community to protect whitewater rivers from environmental harm, and to protect public access to the rivers that we all cherish.  Your $35 dollars goes a long way in our organization, and delivers you a huge return on your investment - every time you go paddling.  

Join AW Today at http://www.americanwhitewater.org/participate.phtml