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Image for National Paddling Film Festival (NPFF) Tickets Now Available

National Paddling Film Festival (NPFF) Tickets Now Available

The 26th annual National Paddling Film Festival (NPFF) will be held this year in Frankfort, Kentucky on February 20-21st. NPFF seeks to showcase the year’s best in paddling related videos and photographs from whitewater destinations all over the world. Plus, the proceeds of this exciting event are donated to whitewater conservation groups such as American Whitewater, the Green River Access Fund and West Virginia Rivers Coalition amongst others.   There’s even still time to submit your Video or Still Image!

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Senate Passes Huge River Protection Bill

Yesterday the US Senate passed a bill that, if also passed by the House of Representatives as expected, will protect millions of acres of federal lands and designate dozens of rivers as Wild and Scenic.  The Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009 (S.22) is a collection of bipartisan and locally developed land and river protection bills that have been in the works for years.  Late last year we asked you to contact your senators in support of this bill

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Image for Senate Passes Huge River Protection Bill

Senate Passes Huge River Protection Bill

Yesterday the US Senate passed a bill that, if also passed by the House of Representatives as expected, will protect millions of acres of federal lands and designate dozens of rivers as Wild and Scenic.  The Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009 (S.22) is a collection of bipartisan and locally developed land and river protection bills that have been in the works for years.  Late last year we asked you to contact your senators in support of this bill

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Lehigh Meeting January 21st (PA)

The Army Corps of Engineers (ACOE) is hosting a public meeting to announce and discuss the 2009 Francis E. Walter (Lehigh River) Flow Management Plan and to provide comments and input for consideration.  The meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, Jan. 21 at 7 p.m. at the Mountain Laurel Resort on Route 940 near White Haven, Pa.   Workshop Agenda: 6:30 p.m. – Networking session for the public and agency personnel. 7:00 p.m. – Presentation by the Corps and its partners

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Image for Lehigh Meeting January 21st (PA)

Lehigh Meeting January 21st (PA)

The Army Corps of Engineers (ACOE) is hosting a public meeting to announce and discuss the 2009 Francis E. Walter (Lehigh River) Flow Management Plan and to provide comments and input for consideration.  The meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, Jan. 21 at 7 p.m. at the Mountain Laurel Resort on Route 940 near White Haven, Pa.   Workshop Agenda: 6:30 p.m. – Networking session for the public and agency personnel. 7:00 p.m. – Presentation by the Corps and its partners

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Dillsboro Dam two steps closer to removal

One of the three counties opposed to the removal of Dillsboro Dam, Macon County, recently announced that they will no longer fight the removal and are withdrawing from the pending litigation.  For the past few years, three North Carolina county governments have been delaying a dam removal, dam releases, river access area construction, trail building, riparian conservation, and other public benefits on the Tuckasegee and Nantahala rivers.  These beneficial actions were called for in the 2003 settlement agreement that AW

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Image for Dillsboro Dam two steps closer to removal

Dillsboro Dam two steps closer to removal

One of the three counties opposed to the removal of Dillsboro Dam, Macon County, recently announced that they will no longer fight the removal and are withdrawing from the pending litigation.  For the past few years, three North Carolina county governments have been delaying a dam removal, dam releases, river access area construction, trail building, riparian conservation, and other public benefits on the Tuckasegee and Nantahala rivers.  These beneficial actions were called for in the 2003 settlement agreement that AW

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Image for Invest in AW and Win - Winner Announced!

Invest in AW and Win – Winner Announced!

American Whitewater is pleased to announce the winner of the brand new Dagger Kayak in the 2008 Invest in AW and Win drive: James Keese from Foresthill, CA! James is an Ender Club Level member and has been an AW supporter since 2003. Thanks James!   In our original announcement AW and Dagger had teamed up to reward American Whitewater members who went the extra mile in support of AW’s mission by donating $5 or more beyond regular membership dues

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Image for 2009 Calendars on Sale

2009 Calendars on Sale

The 2009 American Whitewater Calendar has been a huge hit amongst paddling enthusiasts from all over and now you have a chance to get your hands on it for cheap.   Available now, in limited quantities, the 2009 American Whitewater Calendar will be available for the low price of $15! If you’re an AW member, and logged into the website as such, you’ll receive an additional 10% discount too.   Hurry up and place your order now before supplies run

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AW Joins Groups in Conserving Key Lands in the Skykomish Valley (WA)

American Whitewater recently joined several organizations with an interest in stewardship and conservation of the Skykomish River Valley in requesting that Longview Timber refrain from road building or logging on key parcels in the Skykomish River valley. While we all use the products of the timber industry, we have identified specific parcels that have high value for recreational enjoyment, aesthetic value, and ecosystem services and which we believe should be protected in their undeveloped state. These lands include old-growth forest

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Image for AW Joins Groups in Conserving Key Lands in the Skykomish Valley (WA)

AW Joins Groups in Conserving Key Lands in the Skykomish Valley (WA)

American Whitewater recently joined several organizations with an interest in stewardship and conservation of the Skykomish River Valley in requesting that Longview Timber refrain from road building or logging on key parcels in the Skykomish River valley. While we all use the products of the timber industry, we have identified specific parcels that have high value for recreational enjoyment, aesthetic value, and ecosystem services and which we believe should be protected in their undeveloped state. These lands include old-growth forest

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Image for January Volunteer of the Month Presented by Kokatat

January Volunteer of the Month Presented by Kokatat

American Whitewater would like to recognize Todd Garland as our January volunteer of the month.   Since 2007 Todd has been the lead coordinator of the National Paddling Film Festival (NPFF) that takes place each Winter in Kentucky. This event attracts whitewater enthusiasts from all over that come to see the past year’s best in paddling-related films. NPFF and American Whitewater have a long history of cooperation including yearly contributions of some of the NPFF proceeds to AW that go

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Hells Canyon Bighorn Sheep Need a Hand

One of the highlights of any Idaho river trip is the spectacular wildlife that paddlers glimpse on their way down the river.  An AW member recently shared with AW that the US Forest Service is currently considering the fate of one species of wildlife, bighorn sheep, in the infamous class III/IV Hells Canyon of the Snake.  Hells Canyon offers ideal rocky terrain for bighorn sheep to inhabit, and paddlers often marvel over bighorns’ almost supernatural coordination as they bound across

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Image for Hells Canyon Bighorn Sheep Need a Hand

Hells Canyon Bighorn Sheep Need a Hand

One of the highlights of any Idaho river trip is the spectacular wildlife that paddlers glimpse on their way down the river.  An AW member recently shared with AW that the US Forest Service is currently considering the fate of one species of wildlife, bighorn sheep, in the infamous class III/IV Hells Canyon of the Snake.  Hells Canyon offers ideal rocky terrain for bighorn sheep to inhabit, and paddlers often marvel over bighorns’ almost supernatural coordination as they bound across

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SC Rivers To Get New Advocate

  Last Tuesday the Waterkeeper Alliance board of directors approved an application for a new riverkeeper for the Columbia, South Carolina area.  The riverkeeper will act as an advocate for the Saluda, Congaree, and Broad rivers.    Waterkeepers Alliance is a national organization that sanctions and supports individuals that form a local waterkeeper organization focused on monitoring and reducing pollution.  In this case, USC graduate student Alan Mehrzad  applied for the right to start a riverkeeper program in Columbia.  He

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Middle Fork Salmon Mine Proposed (ID)

American Independence Mines and Minerals, Inc has proposed a large scale mining exploration operation 3 miles inside of the Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness.  The mining operation would take place in the Big Creek watershed, which enters the Middle Fork Salmon at the beginning of Impassable Canyon.     The proposal would require vehicle passage for approximately 3 miles past the Wilderness boundary on an old roadbed that was converted to a trail decades ago. Vehicle access would require

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Image for SC Rivers To Get New Advocate

SC Rivers To Get New Advocate

  Last Tuesday the Waterkeeper Alliance board of directors approved an application for a new riverkeeper for the Columbia, South Carolina area.  The riverkeeper will act as an advocate for the Saluda, Congaree, and Broad rivers.    Waterkeepers Alliance is a national organization that sanctions and supports individuals that form a local waterkeeper organization focused on monitoring and reducing pollution.  In this case, USC graduate student Alan Mehrzad  applied for the right to start a riverkeeper program in Columbia.  He

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Image for Middle Fork Salmon Mine Proposed (ID)

Middle Fork Salmon Mine Proposed (ID)

American Independence Mines and Minerals, Inc has proposed a large scale mining exploration operation 3 miles inside of the Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness.  The mining operation would take place in the Big Creek watershed, which enters the Middle Fork Salmon at the beginning of Impassable Canyon.     The proposal would require vehicle passage for approximately 3 miles past the Wilderness boundary on an old roadbed that was converted to a trail decades ago. Vehicle access would require

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Yet Another Chattooga Delay, Again…

The Sumter National Forest announced today that the final decision on recreation uses on the upper Wild and Scenic Chattooga River is under internal review and will not be released this month as planned. “Our timeline has slipped for several reasons,” said Jerome Thomas, forest supervisor for the Francis Marion and Sumter National Forests. “First, at the request of our constituents, we extended the public comment period on the pre-decisional Environmental Analysis (EA). We also received more than 3,000 individual

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Image for Yet Another Chattooga Delay, Again...

Yet Another Chattooga Delay, Again…

The Sumter National Forest announced today that the final decision on recreation uses on the upper Wild and Scenic Chattooga River is under internal review and will not be released this month as planned. “Our timeline has slipped for several reasons,” said Jerome Thomas, forest supervisor for the Francis Marion and Sumter National Forests. “First, at the request of our constituents, we extended the public comment period on the pre-decisional Environmental Analysis (EA). We also received more than 3,000 individual

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Working Group takes on future management of Lower Dolores River

American Whitewater and various stakeholders have formed a Working Group in the Lower Dolores River Valley to update the 1990 US Bureau of Land Management’s Lower Dolores River Management Plan. The Working Group, which is organized by the Dolores River Dialogue, hopes to develop and evaluate alternatives to Wild and Scenic River designation on the Dolores below McPhee Dam, that can protect existing water rights and contractual obligations, while supporting the “Outstandingly Remarkable Values” that make the lower Dolores River

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Image for Working Group takes on future management of Lower Dolores River

Working Group takes on future management of Lower Dolores River

American Whitewater and various stakeholders have formed a Working Group in the Lower Dolores River Valley to update the 1990 US Bureau of Land Management’s Lower Dolores River Management Plan. The Working Group, which is organized by the Dolores River Dialogue, hopes to develop and evaluate alternatives to Wild and Scenic River designation on the Dolores below McPhee Dam, that can protect existing water rights and contractual obligations, while supporting the “Outstandingly Remarkable Values” that make the lower Dolores River

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Image for FERC Approves First River-Powered Hydrokinetic Project

FERC Approves First River-Powered Hydrokinetic Project

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) has approved the first installation of a hydrokinetic device at an existing FERC-licensed hydroelectric project, to be located on the Mississippi River in Hastings, Minn.   Hydrokinetic devices generate electricity from waves or directly from the flow of water in ocean currents, tides or inland waterways. This marks the first time that FERC has approved the installation of a hydrokinetic device at an existing project, where it will generate power into the nation’s electricity

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Image for Outdoor Alliance Submits Testimony on Opportunities to Invest in Public Lands

Outdoor Alliance Submits Testimony on Opportunities to Invest in Public Lands

Earlier today Outdoor Alliance submitted testimony to the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee. This week the committee held a hearing Regarding Investments in Clean Energy and Natural Resources Projects and Programs to Create Green Jobs and Stimulate the Economy (SD-366). Outdoor Alliance testimony provided specific recommendations on activiities that could be priortized as part of an economic stimulus package that invests in public lands. These include Forest Service road maintenance and removal, recreational infrastructure improvements, and field staff for

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Image for Invest in AW and Win - Deadline Extended (Dec. 31)

Invest in AW and Win – Deadline Extended (Dec. 31)

Good news: your chance to win a brand new Dagger Kayak in AW’s "Invest in AW and Win" drive has been extended until Dec. 31st!   To celebrate the many accomplishments that AW has achieved over the last year, AW has teamed up with Dagger to reward those members who go the extra mile in supporting American Whitewater’s mission.   To win, you only have to do two things: Be a current AW Member Have donated $5 or more beyond

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