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Image for House Natural Resources Committee passes National Parks Centennial Fund Act

House Natural Resources Committee passes National Parks Centennial Fund Act

  On May 7, 2008, the House Natural Resources Committee passed H.R. 3094, the National Park Centennial Fund Act with support of Democrats and Republicans.  Soon, it will be taken up by the full House, and a companion bill has already started its way through the Senate.   The National Park System – “America’s best idea” – will turn 100 years old in 2016.  By passing the National Parks Centennial Fund Act out of committee, the House is taking a

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2007 Gauley Festival Economic Impact Study

Gauley Festival has been held since 1983 and tens of thousands of whitewater boaters have attended at least once. The Gauley Festival is American Whitewater’s largest fund raiser. The festival includes three days of boating, music, camping, auctions, gear sales, film showings, paddling clinics, and all-around fun. It is arguably the largest and most renowned river festival in the United States. In 2007, over 3500 attended the party.   Although it is evident that thousands of people are importing dollars

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2008 AW Membership and Fundraising Drive

  Help AW protect rivers here in the states and you could win a trip with Small World Adventures in Ecuador.   With generous support from Smith Sport Optics and Small World Adventures, American Whitewater is hosting a fundraising and membership drive ending on October 1, 2008.    Anyone who joins or renews their AW membership or donates at least $10 to support our river stewardship efforts will be entered in a raffle to win a week long trip in

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Image for 2007 Gauley Festival Economic Impact Study

2007 Gauley Festival Economic Impact Study

Gauley Festival has been held since 1983 and tens of thousands of whitewater boaters have attended at least once. The Gauley Festival is American Whitewater’s largest fund raiser. The festival includes three days of boating, music, camping, auctions, gear sales, film showings, paddling clinics, and all-around fun. It is arguably the largest and most renowned river festival in the United States. In 2007, over 3500 attended the party.   Although it is evident that thousands of people are importing dollars

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2008 AW Membership and Fundraising Drive

  Help AW protect rivers here in the states and you could win a trip with Small World Adventures in Ecuador.   With generous support from Smith Sport Optics and Small World Adventures, American Whitewater is hosting a fundraising and membership drive ending on October 1, 2008.    Anyone who joins or renews their AW membership or donates at least $10 to support our river stewardship efforts will be entered in a raffle to win a week long trip in

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Coal Mine Proposed Near Lower Yough (PA)

A mining company is proposing a mine on a 588 acre tract of forest land near the Youghiogheny River in Pennsylvania.  The proposed mine would be within hearing range and likely within sight of Ohiopyle State Park, the Craelicks Rocks climbing area, Morgan Run, and the Allegheny Highlands Bicycle Trail which follows the Lower Yough.  The mining operations would divert water from Morgan Run and Johnson Run and would deliver mining wastes into 7 sediment ponds and 5 treatment facilities;

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FERC Clears Way for Dillsboro Dam Removal

When the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) makes a decision, stakeholders with legal standing can challenge that decision by requesting "rehearing."  FERC must then take a hard look at the legality of their decision based on the challenge and respond accordingly.  If the stakeholders still disagree with FERC, then litigation is the only remaining way to challenge FERC’s decision.     On July 19, 2007, FERC issued an order accepting the surrender of the license for Dillsboro Dam, located on the

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Image for Coal Mine Proposed Near Lower Yough (PA)

Coal Mine Proposed Near Lower Yough (PA)

A mining company is proposing a mine on a 588 acre tract of forest land near the Youghiogheny River in Pennsylvania.  The proposed mine would be within hearing range and likely within sight of Ohiopyle State Park, the Craelicks Rocks climbing area, Morgan Run, and the Allegheny Highlands Bicycle Trail which follows the Lower Yough.  The mining operations would divert water from Morgan Run and Johnson Run and would deliver mining wastes into 7 sediment ponds and 5 treatment facilities;

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Image for FERC Clears Way for Dillsboro Dam Removal

FERC Clears Way for Dillsboro Dam Removal

When the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) makes a decision, stakeholders with legal standing can challenge that decision by requesting "rehearing."  FERC must then take a hard look at the legality of their decision based on the challenge and respond accordingly.  If the stakeholders still disagree with FERC, then litigation is the only remaining way to challenge FERC’s decision.     On July 19, 2007, FERC issued an order accepting the surrender of the license for Dillsboro Dam, located on the

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Randy Thompson: AW Volunteer of the Month

The 2nd Annual S. Platte River Clean up took place in Denver, Colorado on Sunday, April 20th, 2008.  Started by friends Mark Cohen of KEEN and Randy Thompson of Down River Equipment in 2007, the event has grown into an annual gathering of friends and families all dedicated to keeping our waterways clean.  This years event was attended by nearly 180 volunteers who rafted, kayaked, and biked along seven miles of the S. Platte River as it winds through the

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Image for Randy Thompson: AW Volunteer of the Month

Randy Thompson: AW Volunteer of the Month

The 2nd Annual S. Platte River Clean up took place in Denver, Colorado on Sunday, April 20th, 2008.  Started by friends Mark Cohen of KEEN and Randy Thompson of Down River Equipment in 2007, the event has grown into an annual gathering of friends and families all dedicated to keeping our waterways clean.  This years event was attended by nearly 180 volunteers who rafted, kayaked, and biked along seven miles of the S. Platte River as it winds through the

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Boater Chick Festival to benefit American Whitewater

A group of ladies started a discussion about the need for an all women’s paddling event.  Plans progressed and the Boater Chick Festival  benefiting American Whitewater was born.  This first annual festival is a gathering of female boaters in the class II-V whitewater range.  The location will be at Nantahala Outdoor Center in Wesser, North Carolina on Saturday May 17th and Sunday May 18th.  The hope is to encourage women in boating to get more involved, show off, improve their skills, meet other women in boating,

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Image for Boater Chick Festival to benefit American Whitewater

Boater Chick Festival to benefit American Whitewater

A group of ladies started a discussion about the need for an all women’s paddling event.  Plans progressed and the Boater Chick Festival  benefiting American Whitewater was born.  This first annual festival is a gathering of female boaters in the class II-V whitewater range.  The location will be at Nantahala Outdoor Center in Wesser, North Carolina on Saturday May 17th and Sunday May 18th.  The hope is to encourage women in boating to get more involved, show off, improve their skills, meet other women in boating,

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Image for Gas Drilling Proposed in Desolation and Grey Canyons (UT)

Gas Drilling Proposed in Desolation and Grey Canyons (UT)

  Your comments are need by May 1 on a massive, 3-decades-long, gas drilling project proposed for Desolation and Gray Canyons.   The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has put together a giant project called the West Tavaputs Plateau Natural Gas Full Field Development Plan, encompassing approximately 137,930 acres of Federal, State, and private lands on both sides of the Green River in Desolation Canyon.   This plan would impact the first thirty four miles of Desolation Canyon, an area

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Gas Drilling Proposed in Desolation and Grey Canyons (UT)

  Your comments are need by May 1 on a massive, 3-decades-long, gas drilling project proposed for Desolation and Gray Canyons.   The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has put together a giant project called the West Tavaputs Plateau Natural Gas Full Field Development Plan, encompassing approximately 137,930 acres of Federal, State, and private lands on both sides of the Green River in Desolation Canyon.   This plan would impact the first thirty four miles of Desolation Canyon, an area

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Image for 28th Annual Upper Yough Race - July 26

28th Annual Upper Yough Race – July 26

The 4th Annual Yough Festival and 28th Annual Upper Yough Race will take place on Saturday, July 26, 2008. Race registration will take place on July 26, from 10:00AM to 1:00PM at the liquor store parking lot across from Mountain Surf. Due to increased insurance costs the entry fee is $30.00 and includes; insurance, timing with prompt printed results, T-shirt, band, prizes, finish line refreshments, and festival admittance. A great variety of food vendors will be available at the Friendsville

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28th Annual Upper Yough Race – July 26

The 4th Annual Yough Festival and 28th Annual Upper Yough Race will take place on Saturday, July 26, 2008. Race registration will take place on July 26, from 10:00AM to 1:00PM at the liquor store parking lot across from Mountain Surf. Due to increased insurance costs the entry fee is $30.00 and includes; insurance, timing with prompt printed results, T-shirt, band, prizes, finish line refreshments, and festival admittance. A great variety of food vendors will be available at the Friendsville

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Image for Update on Dolores River Releases

Update on Dolores River Releases

  April 1-30 – Rafting flows of 800-1500 cfs are anticipated throughout the month except that flows will be reduced to 500 cfs from April 14-18 to facilitate fish surveys.  May 1-31 –  It is anticipated the flows will range between 800 cfs and 2,000 cfs in the first half of May and increase to a peak of 3,000-4000 cfs in the third week of May.  An attempt will be made to keep flows in the 2,000-2,500 cfs range over Memorial

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Update on Dolores River Releases

  April 1-30 – Rafting flows of 800-1500 cfs are anticipated throughout the month except that flows will be reduced to 500 cfs from April 14-18 to facilitate fish surveys.  May 1-31 –  It is anticipated the flows will range between 800 cfs and 2,000 cfs in the first half of May and increase to a peak of 3,000-4000 cfs in the third week of May.  An attempt will be made to keep flows in the 2,000-2,500 cfs range over Memorial

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Image for Agreement in Principle Reached on the Susquehanna (PA)

Agreement in Principle Reached on the Susquehanna (PA)

Representatives from the paddling community today reached an Agreement in Principle (AIP) with the owner of the Holtwood Hydroelectric Project, Pennsylvania Power and Light (PPL). PPL originally proposed modifications to their dam on the Susquehanna River that would increase power generation, improve currently poor fish passage, and cause additional impacts to whitewater boating.  Local paddlers and regional clubs, with American Whitewater’s assistance, have been working with PPL for over a year to explore ways of minimizing and mitigating impacts to

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Image for French Broad River Cleanup May 2 (NC)

French Broad River Cleanup May 2 (NC)

American Whitewater partners with Riverlink and the Nantahala Outdoor Center for a river cleanup on the French Broad River as part of the annual French Broad River Festival.   Each May lovers of rivers and music gather on the banks of the French Broad River to celebrate the mountain lifestyle at the French Broad River Festival.  The festival gives back to the community by raising funds for the river stewardship work of American Whitewater and various local charities.  At the

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Agreement in Principle Reached on the Susquehanna (PA)

Representatives from the paddling community today reached an Agreement in Principle (AIP) with the owner of the Holtwood Hydroelectric Project, Pennsylvania Power and Light (PPL). PPL originally proposed modifications to their dam on the Susquehanna River that would increase power generation, improve currently poor fish passage, and cause additional impacts to whitewater boating.  Local paddlers and regional clubs, with American Whitewater’s assistance, have been working with PPL for over a year to explore ways of minimizing and mitigating impacts to

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French Broad River Cleanup May 2 (NC)

American Whitewater partners with Riverlink and the Nantahala Outdoor Center for a river cleanup on the French Broad River as part of the annual French Broad River Festival.   Each May lovers of rivers and music gather on the banks of the French Broad River to celebrate the mountain lifestyle at the French Broad River Festival.  The festival gives back to the community by raising funds for the river stewardship work of American Whitewater and various local charities.  At the

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Image for Mongaup to Re-Open After Three-Year Closure (NY)

Mongaup to Re-Open After Three-Year Closure (NY)

Boaters in the northeast have good reason to be excited this month. The Rio Project on the Mongaup River (NY) will reopen this month after being closed to recreation for nearly three years.   In May 2005, inspectors noticed a sinkhole on the face of the dam at Swinging Bridge Reservoir, upstream from Rio.  Emergency measures kicked in; all of the Mongaup projects began dumping water, the Upper Delaware River was closed to recreation, and authorities began evacuating Port Jervis,

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Mongaup to Re-Open After Three-Year Closure (NY)

Boaters in the northeast have good reason to be excited this month. The Rio Project on the Mongaup River (NY) will reopen this month after being closed to recreation for nearly three years.   In May 2005, inspectors noticed a sinkhole on the face of the dam at Swinging Bridge Reservoir, upstream from Rio.  Emergency measures kicked in; all of the Mongaup projects began dumping water, the Upper Delaware River was closed to recreation, and authorities began evacuating Port Jervis,

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