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Cullowhee, NC – American Whitewater, the nation's leading voice for headwater rivers, applauded a report issued by the Obama Administration earlier today that lists river recreation as among the top ten priorities of a new federal action plan for reconnecting people with nature through human-powered outdoor recreation. The report summarizes the results of listening sessions held around the country last summer and fall as the Obama administration sought public input on its action plan for America's Great Outdoors initiative. The

CONSERVATIONISTS APPLAUD BIPARTISAN REINTRODUCTION OF WILDERNESS AND RIVERS LEGISLATION IN ALPINE LAKES Proponents to build on significant legislative progress during last Congressional session ALPINE LAKES PROTECTION SOCIETY * AMERICAN RIVERS * AMERICAN WHITEWATER * MIDDLE FORK COALITION * NORTH CASCADES CONSERVATION COUNCIL * THE MOUNTAINEERS * THE WILDERNESS SOCIETY * WASHINGTON CHAPTER SIERRA CLUB * WASHINGTONTRAILS ASSOCIATION * WASHINGTON WILDERNESS COALITION Seattle– Today Senator Murray and Congressman Reichert re-introduced joint legislation (“Alpine Lakes Wilderness Additions and Pratt and Middle Fork Snoqualmie Rivers Protection Act", HR 608) that will

New York is among the states with modern and well-defined stream access laws that recognize recreational use as proof of navigability.  Essentially, if you can paddle a river then it is legal to do so.  This solid legal premise makes New York and other states with similar laws destinations for paddlers, anglers, and other recreationists.  It also makes them attractive and healthy places to live.  With this said, people still challenge the law – seeking exclusive rights to rivers.   Last

American Whitewater is pleased to introduce our newest staff member.  Last week Megan Hooker, of Portland, Oregon accepted the new half-time Stewardship Assistant position with American Whitewater.  Megan will provide vital support on river conservation and restoration projects around the West, with a strong focus on projects in California.  Megan brings a diverse range of experiences to American Whitewater.  She has a geology undergraduate degree, a master’s degree in environmental law, and experience working with environmental non-profit organizations.  She has

The 28th annual National Paddling Film Festival (NPFF) will be held this year in Frankfort, Kentucky on February 25-26th. You can purchase tickets in advance via the American Whitewater Store for $20 (versus $25 at the door). Plus, AW will be there hosting a membership drive where you can renew your AW membership or join for the first time. NPFF seeks to showcase the year’s best in paddling related videos and photographs from whitewater destinations all over the world. Plus,

Since 2009 Chelan PUD has been working to amend the State of Washington Recreational Use Statute (RCW 4.24.210) to specifically address whitewater recreation on the Chelan Gorge. American Whitewater has supported this effort as agreed to in our October 8, 2003 settlement agreement with Chelan PUD regarding opportunities for whitewater recreation in the Chelan Gorge. The recreational use statute provides that public or private landowners who offer or allow their land to be used for purposes of recreation without charging

American Whitewater is pleased to announce the availability of our 2011 Member Rewards. These are the items that we give as a thank you to our $100 and above members in recognition of their substantial support for AW. Also, all $100 – $2,500 memberships in 2011 will include a complimentary copy of the next year’s American Whitewater Calendar. Awesome! The full list of items is available on our member rewards page. Big thanks to KEEN, Kokatat and Immersion Research for

Follow Roy McPure as he walks you through his vision for damming whitewater rivers to generate a little electricity and make money. Support for small or "run-of-river" dams is seeing an increase as people explore new ways of making money with old ways of making electricity in an era of climate change related tax incentives. Roy reveals that "small" dams are not always small and that "run-of-river" dams often de-water long sections of rivers. He also shares that the cheap

The January/February issue of the AW Journal features the Top Ten Stewardship Issues of 2011 and includes: The Cleanest Line Love in the Mountains Raft Girl Meets Kayak Boy It Takes Two to Tandem . . .plus much more! If you want to download the Journal you need to be a current member. Problems downloading the Journal?  Current members – Read the Top Ten River Stewardship Issues of 2011 now! Not a current member? Renew or Join today!

American Whitewater is excited to announce the availability of membership installment plans! All memberships over $250 are eligible and you can choose from 4 or 12 payments per year. So, if you were looking to get that Lifetime membership, but didn’t have $750 all at once, you can sign up for 12 payments and it’s just $62.50 a month. Easy as $62 pie. To sign up, go to https://americanwhitewater.org/join, select a membership level of $250 or more and installment options

Bellingham — Today the Hydropower Reform Coalition, of which American Whitewater is a member, formally released Restore, Responsibly Reviving America’s Rivers, a special publication that provides an overview of dam removal nationally, and documents past, current, and upcoming or planned removals in the Pacific Northwest. Available now at <http://www.americanwhitewater.org/content/Document/view/documentid/837/> This report was developed to emphasize removal of hydroelectric and other dams, and to highlight the river restoration successes, expedited timeframes for restoration, and community and watershed benefits from hydropower dam

It was with great sadness that the paddling community recently saw the passing of one of it’s most respected members: Hendri Coetzee. Hendri was a premiere paddler and explorer, taking on some of the most challenging and unknown rivers in Africa. More than that, Hendri was, by all accounts, about as nice a guy as you could hope to meet. For those unfamiliar with Hendri we suggest reading over the fascinating blog he kept at http://greatwhiteexplorer.blogspot.com/ or reading his obituary

As an organization, American Whitewater is fortunate to have a committed group of volunteer Board of 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 15, 2010. Over 370 members cast their votes for new Directors and

This festival has become a benefit for Gabriel Dailey, who is suffering from kidney failure. During the festival the Bottom Moose will be releasing Saturday and Sunday May 14, 15 the Black River will be releasing Friday-Sunday May 13, 14, 15. Saturday night there will be Bon fire, silent auction, and a Band. Camping will be available Friday-Sunday. This will take place at the Fireman’s field in Lyons Falls NY. With the help of Lyons Falls Alive, and your support