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Image for 2012 National Paddling Film Festival (NPFF) Tickets Now Available

2012 National Paddling Film Festival (NPFF) Tickets Now Available

After 30 years, the National Paddling Film Festival (NPFF) is still going strong. This year's NPFF will be held on February 24-25 in Frankfort, KY at the Buffalo Trace Distillery. You can buy a ticket to the magic via this easy online order form. Tickets are $20 online or $25 at the door. Ticket sales are processed by American Whitewater. You can be confident in the security of your information and that your dollars are going to a good cause. We're proud

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Image for It's Permit Season

It’s Permit Season

If you have not already done so, it is now time to start thinking about multi-day trips for the spring and there are several great opportunities on Western Rivers. Many of these rivers require you to fill out a lottery application and deadlines are coming up. Check our permit database for the information and links to agency sites with detailed instructions and applications you can download. We have updated the database with links to all the best multiday trips in

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Image for Shape the Future of Flows in the Colorado River - Comments due January 17th!

Shape the Future of Flows in the Colorado River – Comments due January 17th!

The Bureau of Land Management’s Colorado River Valley Field Office (CRVFO) is currently seeking public comment on the future management of lands within the area. Their draft Resource Management Plan (dRMP) has far-reaching implications for the management of Off-Highway Vehicles, mineral and oil & gas development, grazing, timber, recreation, and much more on Colorado’s rivers and public lands. Your comments will help to shape the future of flows in the Colorado River, and are due January 17th, 2012. The draft

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Image for January/February AW Journal Online Now!

January/February AW Journal Online Now!

The January/February issue of the AW Journal features our Top Ten River Stewardship Issues of 2012 . Our index now provides direct links to each article. this issue includes. . . Washougal River Tandem Time Montana's Big Hole River Nepal's Wild West . . .plus much more!   Want to read the AW Journal online: You need a current membership and you must be registered with the AW website and have your membership associated with your website user account. Current

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Image for Final Holtwood Plan Ready For Federal Approval (PA)

Final Holtwood Plan Ready For Federal Approval (PA)

On December 15th, 2011, the owner of Holtwood Dam on the Susquehanna River submitted a whitewater boating plan to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) for approval.  The plan was based on a 2009 settlement agreement between the power company and the paddling community that called for the creation of two new whitewater features to mitigate the loss of several natural rapids that are being destroyed or de-watered by modifications of the dam and hydropower facility.  The modifications are aimed

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Image for A New River Access Fee for Virginia WMA's

A New River Access Fee for Virginia WMA’s

Paddlers at the swinging footbridge put-in for Goshen Pass on Virginia’s Maury River were recently confronted with a new sign. Starting January 1, 2012, the VA State Department of Game and Inland Fisheries will require a permit to launch there. According to the DGIF web site says that anyone who wants to access a Wildlife Management Area or public fishing lake must purchase an access permit; the cost is $4 daily, $23 annually for both residents and non-residents. Anyone possessing

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Image for AW Seeks Stream Protection in Idaho Panhandle

AW Seeks Stream Protection in Idaho Panhandle

American Whitewater recently prepared a report on the streams of the Idaho Panhandle that are eligible for Wild and Scenic designation based at least in part on their regionally or nationally significant recreational values.  The US Forest Service is charged with maintaining a current inventory of such streams, and is currently updating that inventory as part of their forest planning process for the region.  Once found eligible, the US Forest Service must provide interim protection for the streams' recognized values. 

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Image for American Whitewater Files in Opposition to Sunset Falls Hydro (WA)

American Whitewater Files in Opposition to Sunset Falls Hydro (WA)

Earlier today American Whitewater was joined by Alpine Lakes Protection Society, American Rivers, North Cascades Conservation Council, Sierra Club – Washington State Chapter, The Mountaineers, and Washington Wild in formally opposing the proposed hydropower project on the South Fork of the Skykomish River at Sunset Falls. Development of the Sunset Falls Hydroelectric Project by Snohomish PUD would have many environmental impacts, including impacts on aesthetics, recreation, and resident fish and wildlife habitat and species. The project would greatly reduce flows

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Image for Congressional Offices Announce Proposal for Wild Olympics (WA)

Congressional Offices Announce Proposal for Wild Olympics (WA)

  Since their formal announcement in mid-November, Senator Patty Murray and Congressman Norm Dicks have been soliciting input on their draft conservation proposal for the Olympic Peninsula to establish new Wilderness, Wild and Scenic Rivers, and provide an opportunity for targeted Olympic National Park preserve additions through a willing-buyer, willing-seller process. The proposal would protect some of the most critical landscapes on the Olympic Peninsula. While the draft Congressional proposal does not include all the elements of the original conservation

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Image for AW Board Election Wrap Up - 2011

AW Board Election Wrap Up – 2011

  As an organization, American Whitewater is fortunate to have a committed group of volunteer Directors that provides the organization with high-level oversight and strategic direction. To sustain this healthy and vibrant Board, an effective election process is in place to insure an appropriate transition of Directors over time. This transition process balances the need for fresh ideas with appropriate leadership continuity. Our recent elections concluded on December 13, 2011. Over 460 members cast their votes for new Directors.  

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Image for AW Intervenes in Opposition to the Flaming Gorge Pumpback Proposal

AW Intervenes in Opposition to the Flaming Gorge Pumpback Proposal

WY/CO/UT – American Whitewater has filed a Motion to Intervene in the Regional Watershed Supply Project's Preliminary Permit Application with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). Joining us in our request to protect the Green River from the project (aka Flaming Gorge Pumpback), is American Rivers and the Colorado River Outfitters Association. By notice dated October 18, 2011 the Federal Regulatory Commission (Commission) issued its “Notice of Preliminary Permit Application Accepted for Filing And Soliciting Comments, Motions To Intervene, And

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Image for Help Protect the San Joaquin from New Dams!

Help Protect the San Joaquin from New Dams!

BLM Recommends Wild & Scenic River Protection For The San Joaquin River Gorge! The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is recommending protection of the magnificent San Joaquin River Gorge as a National Wild & Scenic River. The agency’s recommendation is in the Bakersfield BLM Draft Resource Management Plan (DRMP), which is providing management direction for more than 408,000 acres of public land in central California. The Wild & Scenic recommendation for the San Joaquin River Gorge is gutsy given that

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New Video on Why You Should Join AW

We could write at least 100 good reasons to be an American Whitewater member, but sometimes the best way to say it is with video. Check out the piece we put together below. It lays out some of our most recent successes and why all paddlers should be AW members. We hope it’ll encourage non-members to join. If you’re already a member, please share it with others, thanks! Thanks to amongstit.tv for putting this video together, Shane Benedict for doing the

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Image for The Perfect Holiday Gift: an AW Membership!

The Perfect Holiday Gift: an AW Membership!

Just a friendly reminder: an American Whitewater membership makes the perfect gift for the paddler or river-lover in your life! We’ve made buying one super easy and quick too. Just fill out our Gift Membership form and we’ll take care of the rest. If they already have an AW membership, no problem, we’ll just add on another year to it. You get to give a great gift and support your favorite non-profit at the same time. Awesome!

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Volunteer Of The Month – Presented By Kokatat

American Whitewater is pleased to announce the recipient of our December 2011 Volunteer of the Month award: Jack Barker! Jack is a long-time fixture in the Colorado boating scene, especially at his local backyard runs around Crested Butte and Gunnison. For the past two years, Jack has spent countless hours on behalf of the paddling community, applying pressure on the US Army Corps of Engineers and local landowners along the Taylor River, to ensure we have opportunities to paddle into

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Image for Upper Colorado River Receives Legal Flow Protection

Upper Colorado River Receives Legal Flow Protection

Colorado – On November 30th, 2011 the State of Colorado filed for three separate water rights applications in Colorado Water Court, with the intent to preserve streamflows critical to the health of the Colorado River. These instream flow (ISF) rights are the first time flows in Gore Canyon, Pumphouse, Statebridge, and Dotsero have recieved legal protection. These ISF are a unique appropriation in that they were recommended by the consensus of a diverse stakeholder group, including American Whitewater, under a

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Image for Sale on ads in the American Whitewater Journal

Sale on ads in the American Whitewater Journal

In honor of the holidays, American Whitewater is putting on a brief, one week only, sale on advertising for the January-February edition of the American Whitewater Journal. Prices are being temporarily reduced 50-60% off their regular price. These prices are only good until 5pm ET Friday December 9th and only for the Jan-Feb edition of the AW Journal. This sale pricing is: Full Page: $999 (was $1,599) Half Page: $550 (was $899) Third Page: $325 (was $699) Sixth Page: $199

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Image for Charity Navigator Awards AW Second Consecutive 4-star Rating

Charity Navigator Awards AW Second Consecutive 4-star Rating

American Whitewater has received a second 4-star rating from Charity Navigator, America’s largest and most-utilized independent evaluator of charities.   Dec 1, 2011, Charity Navigator announced that American Whitewater has earned its second consecutive 4-star rating. Receiving four out of a possible four stars indicates that American Whitewater adheres to good governance and other best practices that minimize the chance of unethical activities and consistently executes its mission in a fiscally responsible way. Only 13% of the charities Charity Navigator rates have

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Image for 2012 AW Calendar For Sale

2012 AW Calendar For Sale

The 2012 American Whitewater calendar is now available for puchase! Each year, we collect the best photos from our gracious  fans and pick out our favorites for our annual calendar. We then sell this calendar and use the funds to support our river stewardship work. It’s an awesome fundraiser and a product that we know you’ll love. Please consider picking up one (or thirty six) of them today. Thanks!

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Image for AW is Looking for a Graphic Designer

AW is Looking for a Graphic Designer

American Whitewater is looking for the services of an awesome graphic designer. The designer can be based anywhere in the US and work on their own schedule, within project deadlines. The work would be on an as needed basis and the designer would be employed as an independent contractor. Some of your annual design projects would include our Annual Report (pdf), Summer Appeal (pdf) and Winter Appeal. Future projects would include designing pieces to go on apparel (t-shirts, hoodies, etc.), logos

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Image for See Your Name in Print

See Your Name in Print

See Your Name in Print Reading the American Whitewater Journal is good. Getting published in it is great! Be the envy of your boating friends by getting a great story published in American Whitewater. Deadline for stories on the topics listed below is December 21. At this time, we’re looking for stories on any and all of the following: How I Got Started in Whitewater Every paddler has a story to tell on this topic—some more interesting than others. Did

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Image for Wild and Scenic Film Fest Comes to Portland Dec 1

Wild and Scenic Film Fest Comes to Portland Dec 1

On Thursday, December 1st, Willamette Riverkeeper, Patagonia and REI will be hosting the Wild and Scenic Film Festival in Portland, and you’re invited! Make no mistake – the Wild and Scenic Film Fest is a call to action. Considered the largest film festival of its kind, this year’s films combine stellar filmmaking and first-rate storytelling to inform, inspre and ignite solutions and possibilities to restore the earth and human communities, while creating a positive future for the next generation. Filmgoers

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Image for Wild Rivers Night in Portland - November 29th

Wild Rivers Night in Portland – November 29th

Hey PNW River Lovers!  If you’ll be in Portland on Tuesday, November 29th, come check out the 2011 Wild Rivers Night. The evening will feature films about the PNW’s Salmon, Elwha, and White Salmon Rivers, and a slideshow about Siberia’s Kaa-Kem River. River aficionado Tim Palmer will also give a presentation entiled "Field Guide to American Rivers." The event is free! It’ll be a great evening and AW will be there!  We hope you can join us! Where: KEEN Portland

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Image for Temporary Closure of White Salmon River Access (WA)

Temporary Closure of White Salmon River Access (WA)

PacifiCorp has announced that they have closed the river access at Northwestern Lake Park (the take-out for the Lower White Salmon run) due to the dynamic river conditions associated with Condit Dam removal and ongoing downcutting of sediment in the vicinity of the take-out. PacifiCorp released the following statement earlier today:Please be advised that White Salmon River conditions near the Northwestern Lake Bridge and Northwestern Lake Park are changing almost every day.  The river has cut it’s bed down approximately

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Image for Membership Installment Plans

Membership Installment Plans

If you’re looking to increase your membership level and support for American Whitewater, don’t forget that we have an installment plans for memberships over $250. Maybe you’re eyeing one of our awesome member rewards or looking to offset your taxes for next year. Or, maybe you just love saving rivers! Regardless, we hope you’ll consider increasing your membership level through our installment program. All memberships over $250 are eligible and you can choose from 4 or 12 payments per year. So,

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