Many thanks those who have contributed to AW's Sang Run Access Fund on line. We raised just under $300 last week, a great start! Our goal is $1000 to pay for the porta potty and gravel. Let's get it done! To donate, please go to https://www.americanwhitewater.org/conte…/Membership/donate/? and and write "Upper Yough Access" in the comment line. Let's also give a special shout out to Don Millard, who has cut the grass in both Friendsville and Sang Run for many years to keep our access costs low. If not for him you might see a parking fee of $5 a head at both ends! The Upper Yough Race is July 27 this year.Be there! Jeff Macklin photo.

A local planning agency has championed a study of the Weverton access site just downstream of Harpers Ferry. This site is an important Potomac river put-in/takeout site for Shenandoah and Potomac River paddlers who have few access options in the area. At issue is an informal crossing of the two-track CSX railroad used by almost 27,000 paddlers, Appalachian Trail hikers, and visitors to the C&O Canal National Historical Park last year. The study outlines two options to formalize this access site and improve the safety of crossing the railroad tracks. Either option would be a big improvement, as would a standard road crossing, and paddlers are encouraged to submit a supportive comment by the June 15 deadline. 

The Vermont Superior Court sided with American Whitewater in a long-running dispute with the state over whitewater boating on the Green River in Morrisville. The Court overturned state restrictions that would have eliminated any meaningful opportunity for boaters to enjoy this extraordinary river and required scheduled releases in a ground breaking decision.

As we head towards Upper Yough Race Day (July 27th) in Friendsville it's time to remind everyone that we need to work together to maintain our access points. Thanks those who have contributed to the Sang Run Access Fund on line. We raised just under $300 last week; our goal to pay for the porta pots and gravel is $1000. To donate, please go to https://www.americanwhitewater.org/content/Membership/donate/? nd and write "Upper Yough Access in the comment line. Let's also give a special thank you to Don Millard, who cuts the grass in both Friendsville and Sang Run to keep our access costs low. If not for him you might see a parking fee of $5 a head at both ends! Keep the good times coming! Don't forget to contribute!! Jeff Macklin photo.

In response to of the state’s draft basin plan for southern Vermont, American Whitewater and scores of boaters pressed the state to support the expansion of releases on the West River. Restrictions by the Corps of Engineers and Agency of Natural Resources have led to the elimination of nearly all scheduled boating opportunities on the West River over the past two decades, eliminating recreation opportunity and hurting the local economy. AW and its partners have been working to restore these releases.

A hardy group of northeast boaters climbed into the natural river channel below a hydropower dam to participate in a flow study designed to assess whether whitewater flows should be restored to this dewatered river reach on the Connecticut River. While significant obstacles remain, this site has the potential for providing instruction, playboating, and a big water feature that that could be run throughout much of the year and provide a much needed boost to the local economy.