Articles

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Army Corps of Engineers are expanding efforts to repeal a 2015 rule that clarified Clean Water Act protections for our nation's headwater streams and wetlands (the “2015 Clean Water Rule”). The agencies are receiving comment through Wednesday, December 13th on a proposal that would delay implementation of the Clean Water Rule. If successful, the current effort will make it easier for the agencies to repeal and replace the Rule. Specifically, the agencies are proposing

The Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) has released their Draft Environmental Assessment (DEA) for the future of the Ocoee River. The news is generally good. They support the continuation of the historic flow schedule on both the Middle and Upper Ocoee River, minus 5 September weekdays on the Middle. The DEA finds that the releases benefit the local economy and at least one rare plant living on rocks in the riverbed.  Paddlers can learn more and read the DEA, and can

Each year American Whitewater comes together for our annual Board of Directors meeting, hosted by one of our stewardship directors near a river in their region. Our stewardship staff spends a lot of time putting together presentations to our Board which detail all of the stewardship projects they are involved in and the stewardship issues they see on the horizon. The event is meant to keep the Board informed on our progress and to help identify areas where they might

Arizona – The Tonto National Forest, home of popular paddling destinations like the Salt River and Verde River, is now accepting formal comments on a Preliminary Proposed Plan. Comments on the Preliminary Proposed Plan are most useful if received by January 12, 2018.  The Preliminary Proposed Plan (PPP) is the first step in revising the current land and resource management plan. The PPP was developed based on public and resource specialist feedback and is intended to update the 1985 Tonto Plan as well as address

In late 2016, the Bureau of Land Management initiated a 20-year ban (i.e. “mineral withdrawal”) on new mining claims in Southwest Oregon, protecting the pristine waters of many rivers in Southwest Oregon that are cherished by the whitewater community. American Whitewater and our partners cheered the decision to protect the watersheds of the Illinois, Rogue and North Fork Smith Rivers, as well as Hunter Creek from the threats of industrial scale nickel strip mines. Earlier this fall, Rob Bishop, Chairman

The Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre, Gunnison National Forests (GMUG) are revising their Forest Plan. The new Forest Plan will dictate how recreation, wildlife habitats, watersheds, timber projects, grazing, and more will be managed on the GMUG for the next 20-30 years. We need your involvement to protect important whitewater resources and the special landscapes throughout the Forests. Public Comments are due on the draft by December 8th.   “¨”¨The Forests have published the Draft Assessment – an important milestone in the

THIS WEEK ONLY! American Whitewater is thrilled to announce that we have partnered with FLOAT to bring you limited edition river stewardship T shirts available this week only! For every shirt sold FLOAT will donate $8 to American Whitewater to help us restore rivers. Head on over to www.float.org and SHOP today – lots of fun colors to choose from!   With the holidays around the corner, these shirts make the perfect holiday gift. You can place your orders with

Colorado Gives Day is on December 6th but you can schedule your donation today!                                            Your gift matters! American Whitewater is working hard to protect and restore flows to Colorado’s rivers. With your support, we’ll defend the public’s ability to fish and float Colorado’s rivers and keep working hard to ensure that the Colorado Water Plan will protect the state's rivers and

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Army Corps of Engineers are continuing the process of reversing and replacing the 2015 Clean Water Rule that offered protections for our nation's headwater streams and wetlands under the Clean Water Act. The agencies are receiving preliminary recommendations about which water bodies the Act should cover through Tuesday, November 28th. This action is the second step following a February 2017 executive order that directed the EPA and Army Corps to rescind or revise

Each year American Whitewater’s membership elects Board of Director members to serve three-year terms. These candidates volunteer to serve on the American Whitewater Board. Current American Whitewater members can cast their votes through Midnight Pacific Time, December 19th. Currently, American Whitewater has four Director Nominees to fill four open seats for election, you may vote for up to four candidates on the slate. The ballot for our Board of Directors election is placed online here.   You must be a

Come out and celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act 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

On November 8th, 2017, the House Passed H.R. 3043, the “Hydropower Policy Modernization Act.” You can see how your Representative voted here. The bill moves to the Senate next. H.R. 3043 amends the Federal Power Act as it relates to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission's (FERC) hydropower licensing process. This process currently strikes a balance between hydropower and all other values, ensuring that things like water quality, fish and wildlife, flows, and recreation are given equal consideration to hydropower when

The House is scheduled to vote on hydropower legislation during the week of November 6th. H.R. 3043, or the “Hydropower Policy Modernization Act” is substantively the same as the Discussion Draft that the House Subcommittee on Energy reviewed earlier this year. H.R. 3043 will amend the Federal Power Act as it relates to Federal Energy Regulatory Commission's (FERC) hydropower licensing process. This process currently strikes a balance between hydropower and all other values, ensuring that things like water quality, fish

American Whitewater is pleased to announce our 2017 Holiday Membership Offer – a one year AW membership paired up with our 2018 AW calendar or AW Klean Kanteen. . .and all for just $45! Giving a great gift and supporting your favorite non-profit at the same time. . .great river karma!  We’ve made ordering the Holiday Membership Offer quick and easy, choose one of the options below and we’ll take care of the rest.   A gift for someone else – if they already

Make your online shopping mean something for the rivers you love. American Whitewater is participating in the Amazon Smile program. Online retailer, Amazon, has committed to send 0.5 percent of proceeds from eligible purchases to American Whitewater and other eligible non profits. It won’t cost you anything extra to use Amazon Smile, as the company is simply donating part of its profits. Plus, there’s no cap to how much you can use the service.    As you contemplate your holiday

Make your online shopping mean something for the rivers you love. American Whitewater is participating in the Amazon Smile program. Online retailer, Amazon, has committed to send 0.5 percent of proceeds from eligible purchases to American Whitewater and other eligible non profits. It won’t cost you anything extra to use Amazon Smile, as the company is simply donating part of its profits. Plus, there’s no cap to how much you can use the service.   As you contemplate your holiday

American Whitewater has big plans for 2018, with a goal of securing permanent protections for over 5000 miles of streams in celebration of the 50th Anniversary of the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act. We see a unique opportunity to make a lasting impact by protecting some of our best remaining freely-flowing rivers, but we can’t do it without your ongoing support to keep our work on track.  Your membership dollars and donations will support our conservation efforts from protecting large landscapes and the whitewater rivers that flow through

Gunnison, Colorado – Last Wednesday, Matt Brown – longtime river guide, adventurer, and pillar of the Gunnison Valley community- passed away tragically after an accident in Moab. Matt was so much to so many.   Matt had been a river runner since the late 70’s. His passion for rivers and the right to float was unparalleled. As a owner of Scenic River Tours in Gunnison, CO he played an intricate role in teaching the people of Gunnison Valley and the

The American Whitewater Store has just received some new arrivals you don't want to miss. The special edition 2018 Calendar celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act is ready to order and, back by popular demand, we have the pink “Lady Bird Tees,” made of 100% organic cotton and fit just right for a woman. We’ve also got sharp looking hoodies, “Dam Busting Tour” t-shirts, Klean Kanteen steel pints, hats, books and much more. So stop

This week, Rep. Rob Bishop (R-UT) introduced a bill to effectively eliminate the Antiquities Act as a core conservation tool for landscapes that include many rivers important to our community (Learn More). Over more than a century, the Antiquities Act has served as the mechanism to protect some of our country’s most iconic paddling destinations that include the Colorado River through Grand Canyon (AZ), Black Canyon of the Gunnison (CO), Brown’s Canyon of the Arkansas River (CO), San Juan River