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After passing in the House, an economic stimulus bill totalling $800 billion dollars is heading for the Senate. This massive stimulus package hopes to put three million people to work on short-term projects that will have lasting benefits. If passed, this bill will allocate over $3 billion dollars of funding to federal land management agencies—the same agencies that manage many of our country’s most treasured whitewater rivers. These agencies, including US Park Service, US Forest Service, and Bureau of Land

The January/February issue of the AW journal is now available online!   This issue features articles on:     * 2009 River Stewardship Priorities     * Green Race Notes     * Local’s Favorite: Great Falls, Potomac River     * The "Great Debate" where well known paddlers discuss the future of kayaking, including         – Tyler Bradt, Doug Ammons, Shane Benedict, Jamie McEwan, Eric Jackson, Patrick Camblin and more   AW members can check out the journal online at: http://www.americanwhitewater.org/content/Journal_index_issue_1_year_2009_(You must be

In 2008 paddlers celebrated the restoration of pulse flows and awesome Class IV(V) boating opportunities to Idaho’s Black Canyon of the Bear River.  2009 will offer paddlers four scheduled dates, on which the dam owner will release boatable flows of 900 cfs, unless unforeseen circumstances make releases not possible.  Paddlers should check the website and/or flow phone prior to heading to the river.    The Scheduled Releases are on: April 12, April 25, May 31, and July 12.     

In 2006, Washington Citizens passed Initiative 937 which required utilities to obtain 15% of their power from renewable sources. The initiative was designed to encourage development of new renewable energy technologies. The initiative did not include hydropower as the state already produces approximately 3/4 of it’s electricity from hydropower. In fact, “Washington’s hydroelectric power industry is the largest in the Nation,” according to the U.S. Dept. of Energy. Under the initiative hydropower can only be counted as new renewable energy

The zebra and quagga mussels have explosive reproductive rates and can quickly carpet the bottom of lakes and slow-moving rivers, disrupting the food chain (as filter feeders they deplete the phytoplankton from the water) and clog water works.  In recent years the mussels have invaded Lake Mead and the lower Colorado River.  They have moved through the Metropolitan Water District’s Colorado Aquaduct and now have infested about a dozen reservoirs in Southern California.  The California Department of Fish and Game

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!

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

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

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

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