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Image for New Chattooga Comment Opportunity and Video

New Chattooga Comment Opportunity and Video

The US Forest Service has announced yet another 45 day comment period regarding paddling on the Upper Chattooga River, a form of outdoor recreation which they have banned on that section of river for 34 years.  Their announcement states that all comments since 2005 will be considered, and are only seeking any new comments, information, or ideas.   In late 2009 the USFS reached a new decision to ban paddling following at least 6 years of analysis.  They almost immediately

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Image for Public Comment Opportunity on Yellowstone Paddling

Public Comment Opportunity on Yellowstone Paddling

American Whitewater and many conservation-oriented paddlers worked to designate several new Wild and Scenic Rivers in Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks in 2009. The Park Service must now define the values that they intend to protect and enhance in perpetuity, and must develop a river management plan for these rivers.  Part of that plan must be a Visitor Capacity Analysis that defines the numbers and types of appropriate uses on each river reach.  The Park Service is seeking your

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Image for Paddlers Request West River Studies (VT)

Paddlers Request West River Studies (VT)

This week American Whitewater, New England Flow and the Vermont Paddlers Club are filing a detailed written request for studies relating to a proposed hydropower project on the popular West River.  The proposed project would install hydroelectric turbines and new fish passage facilities at the Army Corps of Engineers’ Ball Mountain Dam.  The requested studies would provide critical insight into the effects of the proposed project on recreation, hydrology, and Atlantic salmon. The proposed project would operate the dam in

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Image for Oroville Project: One Step Closer to New License (CA)

Oroville Project: One Step Closer to New License (CA)

On December 15, 2010, the California State Water Resources Control Board, voted to accept the water quality certification document for the Lake Orville Facilities in Northern California. This is the last major regulatory hurdle before the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) issues a new license for this project. In this meeting, which took most of the day, the board members listened to testimony from a variety of organizations including American Whitewater. Most of the discussion centered around how the Department

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Image for Restoration of White Salmon River Set: Federal Order to Remove Condit Dam (WA)

Restoration of White Salmon River Set: Federal Order to Remove Condit Dam (WA)

The prospect of removing Condit Dam on the White Salmon River moved closer to reality today in a significant ruling from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commissioning formally ordering the removal of the dam. This past October the State of Washington gave their final approval for the project and shortly thereafter the local county governments settled their outstanding issues with dam owner PacifiCorp. With today’s ruling federal regulators have now formally cleared the path for removal in October of 2011. In

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Image for Countdown to Elwha Dam Removal Underway (WA)

Countdown to Elwha Dam Removal Underway (WA)

The final countdown for the Elwha River restoration project has begun, and the largest dam removal in U.S. history is set to begin in September 2011. Built in the early 1900s, prior to the establishment of Olympic National Park, the 108-foot high Elwha Dam and 210-foot high Glines Canyon Dam have blocked the Elwha River’s once-legendary salmon runs for nearly a century. Removing the dams will free the Elwha River and allow all five kinds of Pacific salmon, plus steelhead, sea-run

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Image for New American Whitewater Stewardship Assistant Position Announced

New American Whitewater Stewardship Assistant Position Announced

American Whitewater is pleased to announce a new employment opportunity with our organization.  Position: American Whitewater Stewardship Assistant Description: The American Whitewater Stewardship Assistant will be responsible for supporting American Whitewater Stewardship Directors in project-related analysis and research, as well as communicating and advocating our work to resource agencies, funders, elected officials, and our membership.  This Stewardship Assistant will have the opportunity to become intimately familiar with American Whitewater’s efforts on national energy policy, Wild and Scenic River advocacy, federal

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Image for December Volunteer Of The Month - Presented By Kokatat

December Volunteer Of The Month – Presented By Kokatat

American Whitewater is pleased to recognize Roland McNutt and Lisa Williams as the December 2010 Volunteers of the Month. Over the years the Feather River Festival has been known by a number of different names, in the early days it was the Whitewater Round Up, later to become the Boating Bash at Belden. However, throughout this 20 year history there has been one constant, Roland McNutt.   Year in and year out Roland has been up on the Feather, setting up

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Image for Access to Vermilion River Planned For 2011 (IL)

Access to Vermilion River Planned For 2011 (IL)

In late November the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) and Lone Star Industries, Inc., known as Buzzi Unicem USA, announced an agreement that will allow a treasured whitewater reach of the Vermilion River to be re-opened for public recreation. The river was closed by the company presumably in response to a lawsuit filed against the company after a drowning occured in the reach.   The agreement will permit the IDNR to install safety measures and additional warning signs on

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Image for Paddlers Succeed in Chattooga Hearing - Case Moves Ahead!

Paddlers Succeed in Chattooga Hearing – Case Moves Ahead!

On December 2, 2010 United States District Judge J. Michelle Childs issued a decision regarding the management of the Wild and Scenic upper Chattooga River, located in North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia. The decision follows a hearing held in October.  The decision denied the US Forest Service’s motion to dismiss a case against them that was filed late last year by conservation-oriented paddlers.  The decision also denied a preliminary injunction request that would have granted paddlers the ability to

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Image for Nov/Dec AW Journal Online Now!

Nov/Dec AW Journal Online Now!

The November/December issue of the AW Journal features the 2010 Story and Photo Contest and includes: Board of Directors Election The Bombproof Wet Exit [Trouble]shooting the Magpie A Soul Saved on the Narrows of the Green? . . .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 members – Read the 2010 Story and

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Image for Yellowstone Park Wild and Scenic River Meetings This Week

Yellowstone Park Wild and Scenic River Meetings This Week

Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks are hosting two "scoping" meetings this week in order to help them craft a good management plan for newly designated Wild and Scenic Rivers in the parks.  These meetings will help them define the "outstanding remarkable values" of the rivers, and then create a plan for protecting and enhancing those values.  The plan will also dictate the types and amounts of recreational use allowed on the rivers.  Paddlers are encouraged to attend these meetings

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Image for Middle Fork Snoqualmie Road Upgrade Project (WA)

Middle Fork Snoqualmie Road Upgrade Project (WA)

After a 7 year hiatus the project to upgrade the Middle Fork Snoqualmie Road is back on track and Federal Highways has just announced that they will be hosting an open house in North Bend next week. Middle Fork Snoqualmie River Road Project MeetingTuesday, December 7, 2010, 5:00pm-7:00pmForest Service Snoqualmie Ranger Station902 Southeast North Bend WayNorth Bend, WA American Whitewater has supported this project which will result in a more durable and sustainable road that will be significantly less subject

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Image for Big Rigs Threaten Idaho's Lochsa River

Big Rigs Threaten Idaho’s Lochsa River

American Whitewater and Idaho Rivers United needs your help to protect the wild and scenic values of the Lochsa and Middle Fork of the Clearwater rivers. These rivers are biological and recreational gems, but they are threatened by multinational oil corporations that want permission to transport massive loads of mining and refinery equipment from Lewiston, Idaho, via Highway 12 and over Lolo Pass to Montana. The proposed "mega-loads" are gargantuan: 220 feet long, 24 feet wide, 30 feet high and

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Image for AW Website Audit - Request For Proposals

AW Website Audit – Request For Proposals

American Whitewater is looking for a vendor to perform an audit of our website to assess it for future improvements. We’ve put together a Request for Proposal (RFP) outlining this project more fully and to help us select an appropriate vendor. All qualified vendors are encouraged to participate. Download the RFP. Submissions are due by midnight ET on Sunday December 19th, 2010.

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Image for Tell us about St Joe Flows (ID)

Tell us about St Joe Flows (ID)

American Whitewater has put together a short flow study on the Wild and Scenic St. Joe River.  The goal is to characterize the optimal and acceptable flow ranges for boating and fishing on various reaches of the St. Joe.  This information will aid in long term protection of flows in the river.  If you have experience paddling or fishing on the St. Joe, please take a few minutes to fill out this survey.  Also, please share this survey widely among

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Image for AW Seeks Interim Protection for Wyoming Creeks

AW Seeks Interim Protection for Wyoming Creeks

Every 15 years or so each National Forest is required to update their management plan.  Part of this effort is to consider which rivers and streams on the Forest are "eligible" for Wild and Scenic designation.   Over the past few weeks American Whitewater has worked with regional paddlers to review the Forest’s draft analysis.  Today we filed comments offering additional support for several rivers that the Forest found eligible, and recommending that several additional streams be found eligible.  Eligible rivers

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Image for Extension of Season for Opportunities on the Snake River Milner Mile (ID)

Extension of Season for Opportunities on the Snake River Milner Mile (ID)

Earlier this fall Idaho Power Company and Milner Dam, Inc., the licensees who operate the Milner Hydro Project, submitted a proposal to amend the requirements of their license to include April as a month when whitewater recreation can be provided on the Milner Mile. Local paddlers and AW were consulted in the development of this proposal. While the total number of available releases on this challenging class V run will remain capped at 4, they can now be provided over

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Image for Wild and Scenic Awards Honor Agency River Stewards

Wild and Scenic Awards Honor Agency River Stewards

The USDA Forest Service recently recognized the outstanding contributions and accomplishments of six individuals and four groups regarding their stewardship of National Forest System wilderness and wild and scenic rivers.  Several of these people are well known partners in American Whitewater’s river stewardship work.     "The exceptional efforts and leadership of these dedicated employees and colleagues will allow us to continue our legacy of quality wilderness management and the protection of wild and scenic rivers," said Tom Tidwell, the

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Image for Condit Dam Removal Takes Another Step Forward

Condit Dam Removal Takes Another Step Forward

We have witnessed some positive developments regarding the plan to remove Condit Dam and restore the White Salmon River over the last few weeks, and there are several details that we thought would be of interest to the whitewater boating community. After years of delay many may have wondered if this project would really ever move forward but while some key steps remain, major regulatory and political hurdles have been cleared that should result in some significant movement on this

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Image for ACTION ALERT: Full Funding of Land & Water Conservaton Fund a Strong Possibility

ACTION ALERT: Full Funding of Land & Water Conservaton Fund a Strong Possibility

Tell the Senate to pass legislation that fully and permanently funds the Land and Water Conservation Fund. Use the Comment Tool on the Outdoor Alliance website Congress is back in session but looking to wrap things up. One of the precious few things embraced by both Democrats and Republicans is legislation to fully and automatically fund Land and Water Conservation Fund at $900 million per year. Every year. The idea behind LWCF is simple–some of the wealth from offshore drilling

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Image for 2011 AW Calendar Now Available

2011 AW Calendar Now Available

The annual American Whitewater Calendar is now ready for purchase online! The calendar is more than just a cool piece of river inspiration to hang on your wall, but also a neat AW fundraiser. All the photos are submitted by AW members and supporters. We then take the best of these photos and craft a cool calendar out of them and sell them online.    Thanks to all the photographers who lent us their work this year!

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Image for Wind River Range Creeks Need Your Support (WY)

Wind River Range Creeks Need Your Support (WY)

The Shoshone National Forest is in the process of revising their Forest Plan.  The Forest covers much of the rugged Wind River Range and portions of the Clarks Fork of the Yellowstone watershed.  As part of that process USFS staff are selecting which rivers they deem to be eligible for Wild and Scenic River designation.  A finding that a river is eligible offers some interim protection from new dams and other potential impacts. To be eligible for designation a river

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Image for Support Wild Rivers with a Year  End Gift

Support Wild Rivers with a Year End Gift

As you determine your charitable gifts for the end of the year, consider the value of an investment in American Whitewater. The proven track record of our river stewardship staff, combined with a lean administration, means that more of your donation goes to on-the-ground results. Anyone who rafts, canoes, kayaks or floats a whitewater river has American Whitewater to thank for providing important leadership on river stewardship efforts around the country. American Whitewater has demonstrated tremendous success in building coalitions

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Image for No More Renewal Notices! (Auto-Renewals Now Available)

No More Renewal Notices! (Auto-Renewals Now Available)

American Whitewater is incredibly excited to announce the availability of membership auto-renewals! It’s simple, you want to keep your AW membership up to date, but don’t want to have to work at it. Plus, who really wants more junk in the mail? We’ve got your solution, sign up for Auto-Renewals via one of the methods below and we’ll automatically renew your membership each year by charging your credit card. You won’t receive any renewal notices and your membership never lapses.

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