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Image for Help Stop New Development in the Dolores River Canyon (CO)

Help Stop New Development in the Dolores River Canyon (CO)

Tell the BOR not to develop in the Dolores River Canyon! Please use this link to personalize your letter with your own experiences and why the Dolores is important to you! A new plan to replace the out of date a salinity control unit in the Dolores River Canyon near Bedrock, released recently by the Bureau of Reclamation (BOR), would severely alter the wilderness character of the river. The Paradox Valley Unit was authorized in the Colorado River Basin Salinity

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Image for Colorado State Policy February Update

Colorado State Policy February Update

Colorado has less than 90 days left in its legislative session, and there is plenty of work to get done. Here is a brief write up on some of the legislation we are tracking that will impact Colorado’s rivers. Along with giving an idea on legislation to keep an eye on, please consider joining our AW Capitol Visits that are taking place this session. Legislation To Keep An Eye On HB20-1037 – Augmentation of Instream Flows: This bill authorizes the

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New River Dries Releases

2020 New River Dries Releases Scheduled (WV)

Last week, American Whitewater took part in the annual scheduling meeting for the New River Dries releases. Each year these releases will follow the same pattern: a weekend in mid-March, and then 3.5 consecutive weekends starting with the last weekend in June. For 2020, this means the releases are on March 21 & 22, June 27 & 28, and July 4, 5, 11, 12, and 18. Inflows have to be in a very specific range for a release to occur

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Image for Washington State Legislative Session Underway - Bills Affecting Paddlers

Washington State Legislative Session Underway – Bills Affecting Paddlers

We are tracking a few bills in the Washington State legislature that will directly impact the paddling community. These bills could move quickly and we encourage Washington State residents to review the bills and offer your thoughts. Click the link to Comment on this Bill to share your thoughts on these three bills. Mandatory PFD wear for all boaters. HB 2443 – 2019-20; Requiring the use of personal flotation devices on smaller vessels. Sponsors: Ryu, Davis Comment on this Bill: https://app.leg.wa.gov/pbc/bill/2443

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Image for New Water Quality Rule Reduces River Protections

New Water Quality Rule Reduces River Protections

Yesterday, the Environmental Protection Agency and the Army released a new rule, called the Navigable Waters Protection Rule, dictating which rivers, streams, and wetlands are covered by the Clean Water Act. The new rule will eliminate water quality protections for an estimated 18% of streams and a majority of our country’s wetlands. The rule is final, and will be implemented in 60 days barring intervention by the courts. It’s important if you oppose this rule to contact your representatives and

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Image for Tonto National Forest Draft Plan Open for Public Comment (AZ)

Tonto National Forest Draft Plan Open for Public Comment (AZ)

The Tonto National Forest is revising their forest-wide Management Plan for the first time since 1985. On December 13, 2019 they officially released the Draft Plan and Draft Environmental Impact Assessment (DEIS) for a 90-day comment period ending on March 12, 2020. Forest Plans are vitally important as they are the blueprint for resource management and they provide an opportunity to secure better protections for rivers and their surrounding landscapes. As part of the plan revision process, the Forest Service

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Image for Gila National Forest Releases New Draft Plan, First in 34 Years (NM)

Gila National Forest Releases New Draft Plan, First in 34 Years (NM)

For the first time in 34 years, the Gila National Forest is revising their forest-wide Management Plan. On Friday, January 17 they officially released the Draft Plan and Draft Environmental Impact Assessment (DEIS) for a 90-day comment period ending on April 16. Forest Plans are vitally important as they are the blueprint for resource management and they provide an opportunity to secure better protections for rivers and their surrounding landscapes. As part of the plan revision process, the Forest Service is

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Image for New Mexico Stream Access Update

New Mexico Stream Access Update

The new year has brought new obstacles in our efforts ensure public access to New Mexico’s river and streams. On the last day of 2019, Joanna Prukop, the former NM Game Commission Chair, was informed by the Governor she would not be reappointed to her position. Former Chairwoman Prukop had added the stream access issue to last December’s commission agenda. The Governor’s office cited “policy and style” differences as the main influences of the Governors decision. The commission will meet

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Image for AW Files Motion of Intervention - Slab Creek (CA)

AW Files Motion of Intervention – Slab Creek (CA)

American Whitewater’s primary goal on the South Fork American River below Slab Creek is to ensure the enjoyment of the entire whitewater reach from Slab Creek Dam to the White Rock Powerhouse. However, after exhausting all the proper consultation channels with Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD) to bring to bear protections, mitigations and enhancements negotiated and conditioned in the 2007 Settlement Agreement and the 2014 Hydropower License order, AW and our colleagues have filed a Motion of Intervention with the

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Image for Forest Service continues move to strip protections of Lochsa Area streams

Forest Service continues move to strip protections of Lochsa Area streams

Just before the holidays this past December, the Forest Service released their Draft Forest Plan and accompanying analysis, which covers a whitewater and native-fish paradise in central Idaho. The Forest encompasses the Lochsa, Selway, Clearwater, and Potlatch watersheds, and also a portion of the Salmon River drainage. In the Draft Plan the Forest Service proposes to eliminate Wild and Scenic protections from most or all of the 89 streams they have found to be eligible for Wild and Scenic designation.

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Image for AW Journal - The Winter Issue Online Now!

AW Journal – The Winter Issue Online Now!

The Winter issue of the AW Journal is available in the “Library“. This issue includes ‘Top 10 River Stewardship Issues for 2020’ as well as:   An article about the protection of boating under the Clean Water Act The second part of a history of the East Tennessee Whitewater Club A harrowing recap of a mishap on the beautiful Russell Fork river A couple of great wilderness whitewater features by AW Members And much more!          Current members – Read the issue now!

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Image for Defining the direction of Our Policy work in Colorado

Defining the direction of Our Policy work in Colorado

Colorado’s rivers are national treasures, feeding rivers and communities all across the country. AW’s Colorado team is proud to share our new report, Colorado Policy Pathways (2 page report summary), that will help chart our approach to protecting and restoring these beloved rivers.  At American Whitewater, we know that water policy is a key ingredient in driving smart solutions for the future of our rivers. Colorado Policy Pathways (full report), outlines our approach to addressing the changes and challenges that

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Image for Army Corps Study Threatens Lehigh River Boating

Army Corps Study Threatens Lehigh River Boating

Army Corps and partners to host public meeting for Francis. E. Walter Dam Re-evaluation study PHILADELPHIA (Dec. 11, 2019) – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and its partners, the Delaware River Basin Commission (DRBC) and the New York City Department of Environmental Protection, are hosting a public meeting regarding a re-evaluation study for the Francis E. Walter Dam and Reservoir on Jan. 9, 2020 at the Mountain Laurel Resort in White Haven, Pa.  The Army Corps, in partnership with

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Image for Stewardship Highlights 2019 by Region

Stewardship Highlights 2019 by Region

Our stewardship team got it done for whitewater rivers in 2019 and we wanted to share our top three project highlights, nationally and for every region we work in. Check out this article to see the breadth of our work across the country and find your region to for an overview of some of our most important stewardship work local to you – Stewardship Highlights 2019: American Whitewater a Year in Review.

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Image for AW Submits Weber River Safety and Access Proposal (UT)

AW Submits Weber River Safety and Access Proposal (UT)

During the ongoing dam relicensing process for the Weber Hydroelectric Project, stakeholders reached an agreement for the provision of four annual pulse flow releases to support whitewater paddling. Stakeholders agreed that American Whitewater would propose a safe and legal plan for river access, including potential infrastructure enhancements, for consideration in response to specific concerns voiced by the Forest Service. Releases will begin following a Forest Service determination that the proposed access is appropriate for public use, and the issuance of

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Image for Southeast Advanced Release Dates for 2020

Southeast Advanced Release Dates for 2020

American Whitewater and our affiliate clubs have spent the past 25 years working to restore flows to incredible Southeastern rivers impacted by dams. A lot of our work has focused on Class II and III rivers like the lower Nantahala, Tuckasegee, Hiwassee, and Catawba, but we also secured releases in some classic steeper reaches previously dewatered by hydroelectric diversions. Each year we meet with power companies and agencies to schedule future releases, review ongoing ecology studies, and discuss any issues

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Image for JOIN AMERICAN WHITEWATER ON THE WILD AND SCENIC ROGUE RIVER (OR) IN 2020

JOIN AMERICAN WHITEWATER ON THE WILD AND SCENIC ROGUE RIVER (OR) IN 2020

Enjoy one of our country’s first Wild and Scenic Rivers with American Whitewater staff and similar likeminded river lovers. For the past few years, the staff of America Whitewater has joined with a number of our members to participate in a four-day float trip on the Rogue River in southern Oregon. This trip has been a great opportunity to connect with members in ways that build a lasting understanding of the role of recreation in fostering a stewardship ethic. As

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Image for Claude Terry, paddler, outfitter, and conservationist, dies

Claude Terry, paddler, outfitter, and conservationist, dies

Claude Terry championed Georgia rivers Played a role in protecting Chattahoochee, Chattooga OBITUARIES Dec 09, 2019 By Bill Banks, Atlanta Journal-Constitution In 1974, Emory University professor Claude Terry took then-Gov. Jimmy Carter along for what is thought to be the first tandem canoe descent of Bull Sluice Rapid on the Chattooga River in northeast Georgia.It has lasting implications for the country.Bull Sluice is the jolting climax of a series of rapids that end in a double waterfall, both with roughly

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Image for New AW Signature Klean Kanteen Thermos and Travel Mug in Store Now!

New AW Signature Klean Kanteen Thermos and Travel Mug in Store Now!

We’re proud to now offer American Whitewater signature Klean Kanteen items for your holiday shopping or personal gifting pleasure! Keep that hot drink hot and that cold drink cold well into your paddling adventure with either the AW Klean Kanteen Travel Mug or Insulated Thermos. Stick’em in your boat and strap’em to your SUP. Be the hero who shares a hot beverage with your peeps during a frozen day on the water. Or just use one to drink your daily

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Image for AW VOLUNTEER OF THE MONTH PRESENTED BY KOKATAT: Priscilla Macy

AW VOLUNTEER OF THE MONTH PRESENTED BY KOKATAT: Priscilla Macy

American Whitewater is proud to recognize Priscilla Macy of Salem, OR as our December Volunteer of the Month. Priscilla is an avid boater and has paddled across the northwest, country, and world. She’s helped AW on an array of projects in her home region and has increasingly become involved in the policy side of our work, pushing for Wild and Scenic designations and other river protections, along with more state level boater friendly laws. Last month we celebrated the passage

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Image for River Safety Signage Project RFP

River Safety Signage Project RFP

With a recent grant from the United States Coast Guard, American Whitewater is launching a project to develop an open-source toolbox for river safety signage. We are issuing this Request for Proposals for assistance in this effort. 1. Background and Issue Project Seeks to Address As the recognized expert in whitewater safety for over 60 years and publisher of the Whitewater Safety Code, American Whitewater is often called upon to provide input on safety messaging for signage at river access

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Image for River Safety Signage Project RFP

River Safety Signage Project RFP

With a recent grant from the United States Coast Guard, American Whitewater is launching a project to develop an open-source toolbox for river safety signage. We are issuing this Request for Proposals for assistance in this effort. 1. Background and Issue Project Seeks to Address As the recognized expert in whitewater safety for over 60 years and publisher of the Whitewater Safety Code, American Whitewater is often called upon to provide input on safety messaging for signage at river access

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Image for AW VOLUNTEER OF THE MONTH PRESENTED BY KOKATAT: Jack Henderson

AW VOLUNTEER OF THE MONTH PRESENTED BY KOKATAT: Jack Henderson

American Whitewater is proud to recognize Jack Henderson of Brevard, NC as our December Volunteer of the Month. Jack is a dedicated paddler in the southeast and has volunteered many of his great photographs and beta for American Whitewater use for a long time, along with partnering with AW through his day job at the River Management Society, but we’re recognizing him this month in particular for his work to help designate the Nolichucky River as Wild and Scenic. He produced

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Image for Get Your 2020 AW CALENDAR Today – MAKES A GREAT GIFT For Boaters!

Get Your 2020 AW CALENDAR Today – MAKES A GREAT GIFT For Boaters!

The 2020 American Whitewater calendar is now available for purchase. Each year, we collect the best photos from our gracious paddling community and pick out our favorites for the annual AW calendar. The proceeds from calendar sales support our river stewardship work. When this years calendar arrives, Celebrating Wild Rivers On Public Lands, you’ll get to see a new beautiful image of a river that AW has made a difference on every month and find out about the work we’re

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Image for Colorado Gives Day is December 10th... but you can schedule your donation now!

Colorado Gives Day is December 10th… but you can schedule your donation now!

Colorado Gives Day is next Tuesday, December 10th! On this day, folks from around the state and country give to Colorado-based nonprofits like ours, with matches provided by ColoradoGives. Go here to schedule your online donation to support American Whitewater’s Colorado River Access Program. Our Colorado based regional team works on river access and conservation issues from flow protection, water quality enhancement, Wild and Scenic eligibility and management, as well as state level policies that highlight river recreation and the industry it

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