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California Boaters: Do You Want Access?

Posted: 11/12/2001
By: John Gangemi
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 DepartmentĀ¹s 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 www.baskers.org/survey.html.

Take the time to fill out this survey. And 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.

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