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Wisconsin Navigability Rights Reduced

SUMMARY The purpose of this memorandum is to document the 2001 change to the navigability law in Wisconsin. In summary, the change to Wisconsin Statue §30.134should have no impact on a person’s right to portage. However, the right to scout a rapid has likely been reduced to the “keep your feet wet” approach. DISCUSSION In 2001, the governor of Wisconsin changed the text of Wisconsin Statue §30.134. However, this was not done through the normal legislative means. It was not

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Please Call Oregon’s Governor TODAY to Secure Navigation Rights Tomorrow

Can you rally the White Water Community? This is critical. Please pass this message on to all of your paddling brethren in and out of Oregon.At 2:00 p.m. today Governor Kulongoski meets with a representative from Treasurer Edwards’ Navigability Workgroup to discuss his possible veto of Senate Bill 928. There is no guarantee the Governor will veto SB 928 in spite of what he said at the June 10 State Land Board Meeting.He may still sign the bill even if

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Appeal Challenging Montana Navigability Is Denied

On May 28 the U.S. Supreme Court denied an appeal by Mountain States Legal Foundation who, representing three landowners, filed a lawsuit in June 2001 alleging the Montana Stream Access Law established in 1985 violated their rights under the U.S. Constitution to regulate who floated over their land. The decision thus protects Montana’s Stream access law and public rights of navigation throughout the State.The case was first heard in District Court in Helena and dismissed. Anappeal was filed in the

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Hearing on Fees in National Parks Bill (S.1107) on July 29, 2003

NOTE: This hearing was rescheduled for 9.9.2003.  AW’s Jason Robertson attended the hearing in Washington, DC.  Notably, Lynn Scarlett, the Park Service spokesperson, recommended extending permanent Fee collecting authority to all federal land management agencies.The Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee will be holding a hearing on Thomas’ National Park Fee bill on July 29, 2003. This bill, S. 1107, would make the Park Service portion of fee demo permanent; however the bill is silent on the other agencies including

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Feather River Releases This Weekend!

Friday morning, Highway 70 was closed due to a large rockslide located between the Rock Creek Dam and the PG&E service center at Rogers Flat. The road will likely not re-open until sometime Sunday. What does this mean? If you’re driving from Nevada and heading down the canyon on 70… you will need to take a different route. The only way to access the river this weekend will be by traveling upstream from the Central Valley on 70. The releases

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Buy Great Gear and Support AW

Is some of your gear the worse for the wear? Are you embarrassed by the stink that emanates from your friends gear? Then you need to check out the newest and hottest stuff at the Deerfield River Festival Silent Auction. You can preview many of the items that will be available at the silent auction just by Clicking Here Just a few of the auction items are a kayak from Dagger, life jackets from Astral Buoyancy, and casual clothing from

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Buy New Gear and Support AW

Is some of your gear the worse for the wear? Are you embarrassed by the stink that emanates from your friends gear? Then you need to check out the newest and hottest stuff at the Deerfield River Festival Silent Auction. You can preview many of the items that will be available at the silent auction just by < a href='http://www.americanwhitewater.org/events/info/DAuction.phtml'>Clicking Here Just a few of the auction items are a kayak from Dagger, life jackets from Astral Buoyancy, and casual

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Time to Comment on TVA’s Reservoir Operation Study

For over a year now American Whitewater has been representing river recreationalists on the Public Review Group, whose task it was to help shape the Tennessee Valley Authority’s (TVA’s) massive Reservoir Operation Study (ROS) into a strong public study and final document. The ROS is attempting to determine the management of nearly 50 TVA dams in a study period of about 2 years. American Whitewater, and many of our members, filed scoping comments on the ROS process in October requesting,

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AW Convinces Forest Service to Open Pecos to Boating

After submitting comments on the Pecos Wild and Scenic River Management Plan and Environmental Assesment,American Whitewater was able to convince the Forest Service of the navigabilty of the Pecos River by boats. District Ranger, Joseph Reddan, stated "We agree with your position that the Pecos River is a navigable river and thus open to boating and floating." Additionally, Mr. Redddan allowed that the comment time period aided in the increased awareness of public interest and "Therefore, we will be revising

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Pit River (California) Upcoming Releases

July 19th & 20th and August 23rd & 24th, PG&E will be releasing from 1,000cfs to 1,200cfs into the Pit #1 bypass reach. Flows will begin at 3:00am Saturday and will continue until 3:00pm Sunday. One of the conditions of PG&E’s new hydropower license is this "flushing flow" to help improve water quality in the town of Fall River Mills and, as a side benefit, provide a recreational opportunity for the public. This section of the Pit River is rarely

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Green River Access Pendant

While working towards a future solution to access issues on the Green River remains a challenge (see related article), many volunteers have contributed and continue to donate their time, energy, and money towards this important issue. One of these volunteers, Tanya Talbert, has designed a beautiful custom Green River pendant to assist us in generating funds for access.The pendant is made of solid sterling silver and comes packaged in a green velveteen gift pouch. At this time, pendants are available

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AW meets with City about the Route 3 Wave (NY)

The Route 3 Wave in Watertown New York is a popular play wave that has recieved attention lately after plans surfaced to alter this wave to make it a feature suitable for high-level competitive events. In June, American Whitewater Eastern Conservation and Access Associate Kevin Colburn toured the Black River Corridor with AW Regional Coordinator Nancy Weal as well as regional paddlers Steve Kittleberger and Tom Vickory. The group looked carefully at the Route 3 Wave area as well as

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Green River Access Update

While exploring a variety of permanent access solutions, American Whitewater and LiquidLogic have reaffirmed its relationship with the landowners of the current Gallimore Creek Road access area. The landowners’ generosity in providing this access point to all of us should continue as long as we are respectful of them and financially support our current agreement. To help preserve this access solution and to resolve any confusion, please read and abide by these requests. Your cooperation is absolutely essential in preserving

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A bright future for MF Snoqualmie (WA) access

The Middle Fork of the Snoqualmie River is one of the more significant outdoor recreation areas, “close-to-home” for residents of the greater Seattle area. Less than an hour drive from downtown, the valley is easily accessible to a population of over three million people and a destination for visitors from around the country. Despite its proximity to a large metropolitan area, the river feels remote as it winds through a forested river valley largely held in public ownership and it

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Upper Yough Race & Festival

Welcome to the 23rd Upper Yough Race, July 31. The oldest extreme race in the Country is presented by Team Friendsville. We scheduled the race this year around the pre existing local event, Friendsville Days. The Friendsville Volunteer Fire Dept. and local community welcome the boating community to mingle and enjoy our small town’s biggest shindig. Thursday 6 hour dam release, race and party. Friday’s 3 hour Upper Yough dam release and rescue squad free picnic. Saturday’s 3 hour Upper

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Would Your Club Like To Win A Brand New Star Raft?

If your club has the most AW members at the AW Deerfield River Festival , the club will win a brand new whitewater raft, from Star Inflatables. Rafts can be a great way to expand your club’s membership by introducing neophytes to whitewater from the comfort and security of a raft. In order to be eligible, each paddler must be a current member of your club and AW. AW membership will be confirmed at the AW booth during the festival.

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Chattooga Headwaters – AW Weighs In!

  July 3, 2003   American Whitewater sincerelythanks the many hundreds of AW members and other whitewater enthusiasts that tookthe time to contact the Forest Service and let them know how important the Chattooga Riveris to them. Thank you very much!   On July 3, after hundreds ofhours of volunteer and staff effort, AW submitted our official comments andweighed in on the proposed Sumter Forest plan and boating access on theChattooga Headwaters. Clickhere and download the full text of AW’s

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Oregon’s Governor Provides Roadmap for Peace

American Whitewater has just received a transcript of Governor Kulongoski’s June 10, 2003 statement to the Oregon State Land Board in regard to Senate Bill 293-10, which is controversial because it significantly changes the state navigability law and rights of public access to Oregon’s waterways. American Whitewater reported on this meeting earlier. Note: the choppy nature of the text is due to the nature of the transcription.Governor Kulongoski noted (in part): …And this is not only a contentious issue, it’s

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Clif Bar and AW Announce Recipients of First Flowing Rivers Campaign Grants

Clif Bar and American Whitewater are happy to announce Gold Country Paddlers and the Willamette Kayak and Canoe Club as the first recipients of $500 grants for the “Flowing Rivers Campaign”. The “Flowing Rivers Campaign” is a joint initiative between American Whitewater and Clif Bar. Michael Phelan the Director of Outreach services said the “the intention of the Campaign is to put money in the hands of people who are protecting the rivers that are running through their backyards.” Gold

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Clif Bar and AW Announce Recipients of First Flowing Rivers Campaign Grants

Clif Bar and American Whitewater are happy to announce Gold Country Paddlers and the Willamette Kayak and Canoe Club as the first recipients of $500 grants for the Flowing Rivers Campaign. Gold Country Paddlers grant monies will go to support their work to improve the Greenwood Creek river access trail. The trail is located 4 miles Northwesst of the town of Coloma, CA between State Highway 49 and the South Fork of the American River near the confluence of Greenwood

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Consensus Reached on the Nantahala and Tuckasegee Relicensings!

<p><strong>Consensus Reached Nantahala and Tuckasegee Rivers!</strong></p><p>Recently, American Whitewater joined a large group of organizations to sign onto carefully crafted consensus agreements that concluded the negotiations of the Tuckasegee and Nantahala Dam Relicensing Teams. The agreements are the result of 2 years of studies and negotiations that occurred during the several full-day stakeholder meetings held each month. This was a massive time commitment for the many individuals, organizations, and government agencies that participated, and it was worth it.</p><p>The consensus agreements describe

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style=’font-size:16.0pt;font-family:”Arial Black”;color:red’>Time is runningout on the Chattooga Headwaters. If you think you should have the same right toenjoy the headwaters of the Chattooga as other users of the forest then theUSFS must hear from you before July 3!font-family:”Arial Black”‘> style=’font-size:14.0pt;font-family:”Arial Black”‘> none’>  style=’font-size:14.0pt;font-family:”Arial Black”‘>Are you a Yahoo?   If you are like mostwhitewater boaters I know you are a good river steward and not some yahoo onthe river. Yet many would have the public believe otherwise. Click here tosee some

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Image for Time is running out on the Chattooga Headwaters

Time is running out on the Chattooga Headwaters

Time is runningout on the Chattooga Headwaters. If you think you should have the same right toenjoy the headwaters of the Chattooga as other users of the forest then theUSFS must hear from you before July 3!   Are you a Yahoo?   If you are like mostwhitewater boaters I know you are a good river steward and not some yahoo onthe river. Yet many would have the public believe otherwise. Click here tosee some of the not so nice

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Image for Consensus Reached on Tuckasegee and Nantahala Dam Relicensings (NC)!

Consensus Reached on Tuckasegee and Nantahala Dam Relicensings (NC)!

Consensus Reached Nantahala and Tuckasegee Rivers! Recently, American Whitewater joined a large group of organizations to sign onto carefully crafted consensus agreements that concluded the negotiations of the Tuckasegee and Nantahala Dam Relicensing Teams. The agreements are the result of 2 years of studies and negotiations that occurred during the several full-day stakeholder meetings held each month. This was a massive time commitment for the many individuals, organizations, and government agencies that participated, and it was worth it. The consensus

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