Articles - American Whitewater

Maryland Boating Regulations

June 11, 2001

Maryland revised their state boating laws in early 2001. American Whitewater commented on the proposed changes to these rules in early 2000 and all of our comments were incorporated in the new regulations! This is particularly satisfying to all of our volunteers and regional coordinators who have worked with the state over the past several years to increase river safety and communications between boaters, river managers, and rescue personnel. The new regulations have dropped the requirement for boaters to register

Health Warning on Rock Creek (DC)

June 2, 2001

In May 2001, District Health Commissioner, Dr. Ivan Walks, issued the warning, “We are not recommending that people use Rock Creek and enter Rock Creek because of standing high bacteria levels…” Dr. Walks added that the bacteria levels in Rock Creek are too high for human contact, and have been for the last year.

Circling in on Fee Demo

May 30, 2001

Contents of a twelve-minute presentation by Access Director Jason Robertson for a Fee Demo round table sponsored by the Outdoor Recreation Coalition of America (ORCA) on May 16th at the Wyndam Hotel in Washington, DC. Representatives from the Forest Service and Office of Management and Budget (OMB) also spoke.Donald Lacoste, my high school English teacher, argued that life was circular and that we were destined to return to the points, places, events, and ideas that once structured our lives. I’ve

Ocoee Symposium Gains Tennessee Congressman’s Support

May 16, 2001

To: Risa Calloway Executive Director American Whitewater 1430 Fenwick Lane Silver Spring, MD 20910 May 11,2001 Dear Risa: My congratulations to American Whitewater on the 13th occasion of the Ocoee Rodeo, one of the nation’s largest gatherings of private boaters.This year, the Rodeo is being held in conjunction with the US Canoe and Kayak Team trials that are taking place at the Forest Service’s splendid Olympic Whitewater course on the Ocoee River. I regret not being able to attend today’s

New Website Functions Added!

May 16, 2001

Scott Collins, AW’s web developer along with Ryan Groth, American Whitewater volunteers and the AW staff boaters and americanwhitewater.org visitors have been busy working on these great new river tools: Affiliates Area http://www.american whitewater.org/affiliates/ This new section of AW’s comprehensive online whitewater resource has been constructed to allow Affiliate web masters and/or their volunteer representatives the ability to create, change, maintain and integrate their organization’s contact, event and other related information on the AmericanWhitewater.org website. Read more about it here

Nailgunner to Captain…

May 15, 2001

Next time you’re in Friendsvillle, be sure to thank John Mason and the other good folks at Mountain Surf for providing take-out access on the Upper Yough. Also be sure to thank American Whitewater’s volunteers who stepped up to design and build our new changing rooms on the Upper Yough! Kudos go to Mike Bailey,Troy Dike, Nick Lipkowski, Pat Norton, Charlie Walbridge, Bob Gedekoh, Kitty and Barry Tuscano. Great work guys! Nailgunner to Captain Next time you take out at

Sky River Access Fund Established!

May 15, 2001

In May 2001, American Whitewater and the Washington Kayak Club established the Skykomish River Access Fund with $5875 from the 2001 Sky Fest. Private donations have raised the holdings of the fund to about $6625. This fund recognizes the fact that legal river access opportunities along the whitewater sections of the Skykomish River in Washington State are limited and diminishing. There are few public right-of-ways or easements, and there is little publicly owned land allowing legal access to this popular

Ocoee Symposium Focus on Economics of Flow

May 11, 2001

“The TVA plan to ‘pull the plug’ on water for events and increase river fees paid by outfitters may jeopardize the continued growth of river-based tourism in this area. They may kill the goose that laid the golden egg.”John Gangemi, American Whitewater Conservation Director OCOEE RIVER SYMPOSIUM Discussion: Economic Benefits of River Recreation FRIDAY MAY 18, 2001 OCOEE WHITEWATER CENTER 1pm to 5 pm (Silver Spring, MD) – American Whitewater has announced it will host The 2001 Ocoee River

Events Director Search Announced

May 10, 2001

JOB DESCRIPTION AMERICAN WHITEWATER EVENTS DIRECTOR May 9, 2001 OVERALL RESPONSIBILITY: The American Whitewater Events Director is responsible for planning and implementing a program of events that are consistent with the organization’s Mission. These events: – offer grassroots education and appreciation for local and national resources;– celebrate (i.e., promotes) the accomplishment and seed the vision of the technical American Whitewater programs – Conservation, Access, and Safety – endorse advanced skills through competition; and– provide a valued option for organizational funding

Looking for an Awesome Events Director

May 10, 2001

Rafting Season on Dolores Unlikely in 2001

May 9, 2001

The Grand Canyon Private Boaters Association (GCPBA) has passed along a report from the Cortez Journal that “The chances of a rafting season this spring on the lower Dolores River look bleak, as officials report McPhee Reservoir is not likely to fill this year.”The low volume in the McPhee Reservoir are blamed on a combination of drought, irrigation requirements, high winds and low snowpack moisture.The report states that “As of May 1, the runoff forecast is at 83 percent of

River Right and American Whitewater Acquire Cartecay Access

May 9, 2001

Bob and Lisa, the owners of River Right Outfitters have come through with another super win for the paddling community. They have secured, with American Whitewater’s help, a new put-in on Georgia’s Class II-III Cartecay River and are even providing bathrooms, a riverside campground, and FREE RIVER ACCESS!American Whitewater’s Access Director, Jason Robertson, credited River Right with doing all the hard work on this project and said “The folks at River Right saw that there was a problem with access

What Does the Future Hold for Savage River Releases?

May 2, 2001

On April 4th, 2001 American Whitewater wrote the Upper Potomac River Commission requesting a meeting to discuss the future of whitewater releases on the Savage River. A copy of this letter is attached. As of May 2nd, the UPRC has failed to respond to this or earlier requests, and has not returned our phone calls. Mr. Jim Taylor Upper Potomac River Commission (UPRC) 528 Maryland Avenue Westernport, MD 21562 April 4, 2001 Re: Whitewater Releases on Maryland’s Savage River

Need Boaters for Flow Study, N. Fork Kern

May 1, 2001

PARTICIPATE IN A WHITEWATER BOATING STUDY ON THE NORTH FORK KERN RIVERAmerican Whitewater is participating in a Whitewater Boating Study on the Kern River from Fairview Dam to the town of Kernville. You can participate too simply by registering at one of the drop boxes. This is a self-guided flow study. We are taking advantage of spring run-off to evaluate a range of flows for whitewater recreation. Your input will help provide valuable data on minimum and optimum flows for

Image for Congress Moves to Protect Oregon's Rivers

Breaks Interstate Park & Russell Fork Alert!

April 27, 2001

The Breaks Interstate Park and the Russell Fork River are beingthreatened by proposed gas well drilling within the Potter Flat’ssection of the park. Join locals, environmentalists, paddlers and othereco-adventurers on Saturday May 12 for a peaceful demonstration inElkhorn City. Oh yes, and bring your boat…For further information visithttp://www.elkhorncity.org/russellfork/gaswells.htmor contact Steve Ruth <sjruth@elkhorncity.org>

Breaks Interstate Park & Russell Fork threat alert!

April 27, 2001

The Breaks Interstate Park and the Russell Fork River are beingthreatened by proposed gas well drilling within the Potter Flat’ssection of the park. Join locals, environmentalists, paddlers and othereco-adventurers on Saturday May 12 for a peaceful demonstration inElkhorn City. Oh yes, and bring your boat…For further information visit http://www.elkhorncity.org/russellfork/gaswells.htmor contact Steve Ruth at sjruth@elkhorncity.org

Image for Take Action: Speak Up for Wild Rivers

Why ‘Access’?

April 26, 2001

Public Trust – Rivers – Guns – Barbed Wire – Rights – Liberties – Navigation – Floatability – Portage – Easements – Private Lands – Trespass – Federal Lands – Fairness – Justice – Permits – Information – Streamgaging – Launch Sites – Parking – Conflict Resolution – Liability – Recreational Use Statutes – Perceptions – Safety – High Water Closures – Law Enforcement – Scouting – Rescues – Leave No Trace – Waterfalls – Floating Logs – Bridges –

Ohiopyle Falls Access Proposal

April 26, 2001

Photo: Jeff Snyder Strides with pride over Ohiopyle Falls in 2000. Photo by Marty Lamp, courtesy of www.IPlayOutside.com. Abstract photo of Secretary Oliver courtesy of Tom Uhlman.In August, 2001 American Whitewater learned that the Pennsylvania Department of Natural Resources dismissed our proposal to open Ohiopyle Falls on a permanent basis. However, the DNR did indicate that the falls may be opened in a few more years based on the safety record at the annual Ohiopyle Falls Race: …the Bureau would

BIG APRIL STORMS OPEN THE TUOLUMNE FOR BOATING 7 DAYS A WEEK

April 25, 2001

Here are two memos received from the Forest Service regarding flowsforthe Tuolumne River in California. The first is a seasonal advisory, andthesecond is an update with much better news, due to the recent heavystormsin the last couple of weeks. I will post updates as I receive them. Here’s the first memo: The following announcement is to inform boaters of the currentstatusof expected flows on the Wild and Scenic Tuolumne River. Hetch HetchyWater and Power has informed the USFS that guaranteed

Bush Hacks USGS Streamgage Funding by 40%

April 12, 2001

April 9, 2001 (Washington, DC): President Bush is proposing a 40% cut in the USGS streamgaging budget for fiscal year 2002. This is twice as bad as even the most pessimistic predictions.The Bush administration’s claim that the proposed budget “focuses resources on core USGS programs, such as mapping and hazards, and those that directly support better land and natural resource management by the Department of Interior (DOI)” is disingenuous at best and intentionally misleading at worst.The streamgaging program has been

Image for Dillsboro Dam Public Meeting Planned

Now’s an even better time to join American Whitewater!

April 9, 2001

Why? Reason #1American Whitewater is the nation’s ONLY organization devoted SOLELY to WHITEWATER – restoring it, accessing it and playing in it!Reason #2Great publication, great events, great people and a GREAT CAUSE.Reason #3All new members who join with a paid one-year membership from March 1, 2001 until Gauley Fest on September 22nd, 2001, are eligible to win a new Prijon Chopper expedition kayak. JOIN NOW The raffle will be held on September 22nd at the Gauley Fest. Winner need not

American Whitewater seeks Development Professional

April 3, 2001

American Whitewater Position AnnouncementDevelopment ProfessionalAre you interested in — Rivers? Outdoor recreation and whitewater boating? Helping to conserve and restore America’s whitewater rivers and streams? Do you have solid experience in public relations and fundraising, and a desire to put these skills to use improving natural resources and the effectiveness of American Whitewater? If you have top-notch writing and speaking skills, and are able to articulate a paddler’s vision for America’s wild rivers, there may be a job at American

Cheat shuttler Glen Miller injured

April 2, 2001

Glen Miller, who for many years has run his well-known boat shuttle on the Cheat and Big Sandy Rivers in Preston County, West Virginia, was seriously injured in a logging accident last Wednesday. The prognosis is not good. Glen is an extrodinarily nice, hardworking local man who has befrended thousands of kayakers over the years. Our thoughts and prayers are with him. He is being moved from intensive care to a private room this morning. Those of us who have

Cheat shuttler Glen Miller injured

April 2, 2001

Glen Miller, who for many years has run his well-known boat shuttle on the Cheat and Big Sandy Rivers in Preston County, West Virginia, was seriously injured in a logging accident last Wednesday. The prognosis is not good. Glen is an extrodinarily nice, hardworking local man who has befriended thousands of kayakers over the years. Our thoughts and prayers are with him. He is being moved from intensive care to a private room this morning. Those of us who have

Federal Legislation 2001

April 2, 2001

Link to 2002 Legislation With a new President and a close balance of power in the Senate we expect to see a lot of new legislation moving forward in 2001 that will significantly affect water quality, conservation, river recreation, and the boating community. Thus far we have not been disappointed, and there have been few outright surprises. LEGISLATIONEFFECT ON RIVERSCONTACTSMORE INFOUSGS StreamgagingIn April 2001, President Bush suggested a 40% cut in USGS funding. This would be a severe blow to