Articles - American Whitewater

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February Volunteer Honors to Sam Johnson of Bradford, PA

January 30, 2003

February American Whitewater Volunteer of the Month honors go to Sam Johnson of Bradford, PA for volunteering to promote American Whitewater at local outdoor shows. Sam took up kayaking in 1996 and loves to share his enthusiasm for the sport with others. He has given up paddling weekends in order to demonstrate kayaking and represent American Whitewater at local events including the upcoming Bradford Kinzua Outdoor & Travel Show where he will be doing three demonstrations on Friday, February 28

West Fork Tuckasegee: New Gem Discovered in Western North Carolina

January 29, 2003

Have you ever noticed how when you are in the unpleasant process of getting worked on a river that you don’t feel the water or hear anything? I figure this is your subconscious brain, your critter brain, taking the controls from your cumbersome conscious human brain that got you in the mess in the first place. It was my critter brain that watched my bow climb higher and higher as my micro shot out of the West Fork of the

Revised Water Quality Standard for WA

January 29, 2003

Water quality standards set limits on pollution in lakes, rivers and marine waters in order to protect beneficial uses, such as swimming and fishing. The Department of Ecology administers the State’s surface water quality standards regulations (Chapter 173-201A WAC). Ecology is completing the first major overhaul of the State’s standards in a decade (proposed language of revision). Some changes are good and reflect the latest scientific information. Other changes will negatively affect boaters. Some will result in creation of exemptions

February Volunteer of the Month honors to Sam Johnson

January 29, 2003

This month American Whitewater recognizes Sam Johnson of Bradford, PA for volunteering to promote American Whitewater at local events. Sam took up kayaking in 1996 and loves to share his enthusiasm with others. He has given up paddling weekends in order to demonstrate kayaking and represent American Whitewater at local events including the upcoming Bradford Kinzua Outdoor & Travel Show where he will be doing three demonstrations on Friday, February 28 and four on Saturday, March 1. Sam is assistant

Proposed County Fee on Ocoee Boaters

January 28, 2003

Polk County TN May Tax Private Ocoee Boaters LETTERS NEEDED ASAP In a January meeting a discussion arose that lead to a tentative proposal for Polk County to begin charging an “amusement tax” on private boaters paddling the Ocoee. Tennessee Senator Jeff Miller and Representative Chris Newton were present at this meeting and apparently entertained this possibility. They would have to propose a state regulation, similar to the private act that taxes commercial boaters, which would then have to be

Cache Creek, California: Information Needed

January 27, 2003

Dear Boaters (rafters and kayakers): Jerry Meral is working with the Yolo County Flood Control and Water Conservation District, trying to convince them to regularly schedule releases from Indian Valley Dam down the North Fork of Cache Creek, so the winter "Eagle Run" on Cache Creek becomes more predictable. He is working with the Natural Heritage Institute as part of a study of conjunctive use of surface and groundwater on Cache Creek. Please let him know the following: 1. What

Help Stop Proposed Unreasonable Registration Fees in Connecticut

January 27, 2003

Northeastern Paddlers Alert: A Proposed Connecticut Bill Would License Canoes and Kayaks over 10 Feet. A bill was recently proposed in the state of Connecticut that would require hard boaters to pay a fee to license every boat that they own that is greater than 10 feet. This action would likely create a loss of revenue for the state since the cost of implementing and enforcing such a program would likely far exceed any reasonable registration charge, and the program

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Inflatable Policy for the Tallulah Gorge

January 24, 2003

Inflatable Policy for Whitewater Use in the Tallulah Gorge Objective: The Georgia Department of Natural Resources would like to clarify the definition of a "qualified inflatable," as described in the original Tallulah Gorge whitewater craft policy. Background: According to the Memorandum of Understanding dated August 8, 1996 and made a part of the Tallulah Development FERC Project #2354 license, the current policy regarding whitewater craft in the Tallulah Gorge states: WHEREAS, for the purpose of this Agreement, the parties have

Nooksack Falls Hydro Project

January 18, 2003

The Nooksack Falls project, a hydropower facility originally constructed in 1906, has not been in operation since 1997, but plans to resurrect the project could have an impact on recreational opportunities. For paddlers, the primary concern would likely be access as the project would dewater the last few hundred yards of whitewater to the take-out at the pool above Nooksack Falls, which would necessitate legal access at the diversion dam. In summer 2002 the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) released

Addressing Road Problems in Olympic National Forest (WA)

January 18, 2003

Over the past few years, many of us who enjoy paddling on the Olympic Peninsula have witnessed the slow but steady degradation of the road network. Now that the peak of logging activity has passed with the removal of much of the timber and new requirements to protect spotted owls, we are left with a road network that has seen very little maintenance over the past decade. Convenient access to the Sitkum was lost, followed by Matheny Creek and Sam’s

Oceana VCD on the way…

January 17, 2003

Duplication of the much-anticipated Tallulah VCD is complete and will be on will be on its way to your house soon! Copies will be sent to all new members and current members who extended their membership for another year (or more) from when it would have expired at the Tallulah this November! Special thanks to Barry Grimes for the video editing and Steve Hall for use of the videocamera, and especially to our great AW members at the Tallulah this

Cedar River (WA) Landsburg Access Rules

January 11, 2003

For those who have ventured to Landsburg, where the Issaquah-Hobart road crosses the Cedar River, you may have noticed some changes to the area and to the river. Landsburg is the put-in for 22 miles of class I-II whitewater down to Lake Washington in Renton (AW page). However, the most common take-out is Maple Valley. Below here, just below the Jones Street bridge, is a huge death-trap log jam. Hike across the soccer field at the county park there and

Boater Support Needed: North Fork Feather River

January 10, 2003

Poe Hydroelectric Project on the North Fork Feather River, California TO: California Paddling Community SUBJECT: Relicensing Poe Hydro Project, North Fork Feather River, California RE: Site Tour and Public Meeting, January 13th and 14th, 2003 FROM: John Gangemi, American Whitewater Description of Proceeding: PG&E is hosting a site visit and public meetings for the relicensing of the Poe Hydro Project. FERC staff from Washington, DC will be in attendance to record public comments on the future operation of the project.

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Boaters Alert: North Fork Feather River California

January 10, 2003

Recycle Used Toner Cartridges and Help American Whitewater Save Rivers

January 10, 2003

We’d all rather recycle and now you can help American Whitewater by donating your used toner cartridges to TonerDonation.com. Please visit their website www.usrecycleink.com to learn how.

$25 Kayak Session Subscription for AW Members

January 10, 2003

After working together on a limited basis in 2002, American Whitewater and Kayak Session have broadened their relationship to include even greater benefits to AW members. Starting in 2003, Kayak Session will offer a $25 subscription rate to all American Whitewater members. AW is thrilled to offer this new benefit to its membership base. For the past year, Kayak Session printed an AW article in each issue, creating a great source for American Whitewater to voice its mission to both

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$25 Kayak Session Subscription for AW Members

January 10, 2003

Your Discarded Toner Cartridges Help Protect Rivers

January 9, 2003

Here’s something to do with those empty cartridges we’d all rather recycle. Now you can donate them to American Whitewater and your rivers will reap the proceeds. Simply mail your used cartridges to American Whitewater, 1424 Fenwick Lane, Silver Spring, MD 20910 and we will recycle them for you. If you have any doubts or questions just contact nick@amwhitewater.org.

AW Winter Board Meeting

January 9, 2003

In early December, the American Whitewater board of directors met via phone conference for our annual winter meeting. Our task was to review the financials for the current year, discuss and approve the budget for 2003, discuss the location and focus of the spring board meeting, and to deal with any other action items which have surfaced since our last meeting at the Gauley festival. 2001 and 2002 have proven to be extremely challenging financially for AW and the entire

Your Discarded Toner Cartridges Help Protect Rivers

January 9, 2003

New Hydro Projects in the Pacific Northwest

January 8, 2003

A flurry of recent activity from Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) and private hydro developers has marked the return of micro-hydro projects. Over the past few months FERC has released Final EIS documents recommending construction for projects that were first proposed nearly a decade ago. One of these projects is proposed for Clearwater Creek which has emerged as a popular class V creek run in recent years, and a second project is proposed for Martin Creek which was featured in

Lotus Designs Blood Drive

January 2, 2003

Lotus Designs continues to evidence itself as a company aware of issues concerning its customer base through 100% participation in an AW Blood Drive. Ensuring every member of the Lotus Designs team supports AW with a personal membership, Lotus shows it understand that membership is the lifeblood of the organization. Though the struggle continues, AW’s membership has seen steady increases over the past few months, in part through the work of whitewater industry leaders like Lotus. With their support, and

North Chick (TN) Management Plan Available for Comment

December 31, 2002

The following Public Notice includes a link to the management plan for the North Chickamauga Creek area. Boating is listed as a use that IS allowed in the area, but regional boaters may want to comment supporting this decision, or on some other ecological matter. PUBLIC NOTICE: North Chickamauga Creek Gorge Natural Area Management PlanThe Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation’s (TDEC) Divisionof Natural Heritage, Natural Areas Program announced the availability forpublic review of the North Chickamauga Creek Gorge Natural

Testdrive AW’s New Access Toolbox

December 26, 2002

American Whitewater invites you to testdrive our new Access Toolbox at www.americanwhitewater.org/access/accesstoolbox.htm.The Access Toolbox has easy to use and easy to understand information about issues affecting river access throughout the United States. This toolbox, as the name implies, is designed to help you and our members protect and restore access to our nation’s rivers.Some of the highlights include: Easy to understand summaries of state navigability and liability laws; Managing risk; Working with landowners; Congressional action guides; Guidelines for reducing visitor

Montana Court Protects Stream Recreational Access Law

December 26, 2002

On December 23, 2002 the 9th Circuit Court dismissed MADISON v. GRAHAM, No. 01-35145. The suit sought to have Montana’s Stream Access Law declared unconstitutional on the basis that the statute precluded property owners from excluding others from their property as a Fifth Amendment takings claim.In 1985, the Montana Legislature enacted the Montana Stream Access Law. The law provides that “all surface waters that are capable of recreational use may be so used by the public without regard to the