Articles

ISSUE: Access to the put-in is still threatened by new bridge construction, which could result in closure of the parking area by the creek. Access to the American Whitewater take-out is also threatened by the irresponsible actions of a few boaters that have been less than neighborly when visiting our site. Loud music early on a Sunday morning, unleashed dogs, camping, and fast driving by a few people could be enough to unite the neighborhood against us. Folks, it’s up

ISSUE: New hydropower projectGOAL: Repeal Preliminary Permit for hydroproject Current Status: The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) approved Continental Lands preliminary permit for a hydropower project on Boundary Creek in northern Idaho. The preliminary permit is the first step toward getting a license to construct the project. American Whitewater filed for a rehearing requesting the FERC reconsider their decision in light of the unavoidable environmental and recreational impacts as well as the fact that Boundary Creek has been designated as

ISSUE: Effects of increased industrial forestry on water quality, forest diversity, and recreationGOAL: Moratorium on new chip mills until environmental and economic impacts are better understood Current Status: Over 150 high-capacity chip mills are currently operating throughout the Southeastern United States consuming over 1.2 million acres of trees per year. Twenty-one mills of this type are located in the Southern Appalachian region, annually consuming approximately 170,000 acres of trees (about 1/3 the area of the entire Great Smoky Mountain National

ISSUE: For the third year in a row, American Whitewater has identified Fee Demo and funding for our public lands as a Top 10 issue. More than 600 hundred of American Whitewater members responded to our summer letter-writing appeal urging Congress not to approve a rider extending Fee Demo without an honest and open opportunity for citizen dialogue. In late June, Senator Gorton (R-WA) and Graham (D-Fl) made the unbelievable decision to propose a rider to the Interior Appropriations Bill

ISSUE: Hydropower RelicensingGOAL: River restoration, whitewater opportunities and river access Current Status: In California over the next 15 years, 50 hydropower projects encompassing 167 dams are due for relicensing under the Federal Power Act (FPA). In the southeastern U.S., 32 hydropower projects are up for relicensing. All private hydropower dams are licensed by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) for periods of 30 to 50 years. Licensees must reapply to FERC for a new license at the time of expiration,

ISSUE: Restoring rivers degraded by hydropower operationsGOAL: Preserve language in Federal Power Act. Provide guidance for individual state restructuring plans Current Status: In 1992, Congress passed the Energy Policy Act which permitted restructuring of the electric utility industry. Up until passage of the act, electric utilities had a regulated monopoly on a designated territory of electric consumers. Public utility commissions within individual states set electric rates for these monopolies to protect consumers and provide a guaranteed rate of return for

Read about and view images of the Elkhorn Creek after a historic and huge flood in 1997 mostly changed its rapids for the better.

Read about and view images of the Elkhorn Creek after a historic and huge flood in 1997 mostly changed its rapids for the better.

Read about and view images of the Elkhorn Creek after a historic and huge flood in 1997 mostly changed its rapids for the better.