The 2010 Ender Club ($100) level t-shirts are in. These shirts can’t be purchased anywhere and are only available to our dedicated members. We hope you’ll consider joining us today! If you see anyone wearing one of these shirts, make sure you give them a high five for being an awesome river steward. http://americanwhitewater.org/membership
American Whitewater is pleased to recognize the outstanding volunteer contributions of Patrick Tooley, Ken Ransford, and Jay Kenney this month. Patrick, Ken, and Jay have served as AW’s expert advisors on River Access in Colorado and have helped develop AW’s analysis and position on Colorado’s House Bill 1188, which seeks to clarify the Right of Navigation in Colorado. Patrick Tooley, a Denver lawyer and 15 year associate of Colorado Whitewater, has dedicated countless hours to the analysis, interpretation,
This spring, the Colorado Legislature is considering a bill, which helps protect the rights of commercial boaters to float on commercial sections of river, and increases the safety of boaters by decriminalizing incidental contact with private land to portage obstacles. HB -1188 is a good bill, but doesn’t go far enough! American Whitewater, Colorado Whitewater, and our team of advisors need your help to ensure the bill provides safe access and rights of navigation to ALL boaters on EVERY river.
The Mar/Apr issue of the AW Journal features an Intro to Whitewater: Giving Back Are You Trying to Kill Your Daughters? The Mighty Miami Between Family and Fearless Youngsters Learning on the Salmon . . .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 Intro to Whitewater issue
House Bill 1188 is sitting in the Colorado Senate waiting to be assigned to a Senate committee, we expect that to happen next week. While we are in little bit of a holding pattern in the processes of the State Senate – our battle continues in the field. A couple of Colorado media outlets came out opposed to HB 1188! But we can fight back and let our opinions be heard too. VOTE NOW in the ONLINE POLL – it
What kind of stories and articles are we looking for in our "Boating Beyond Youth" feature? Well, the adventures of senior paddlers, for starters. We’re also interested in hearing from older paddlers about the challenges that aging brings to the sport, but also the rewards and perspective that maturity offers. Basically, the subject is wide open, so run with it! If you’re thinking of submitting a story and photos, please check out our new online submissions page. If you
What kind of stories and articles are we looking for in our "Boating Beyond Youth" feature? Well, the adventures of senior paddlers, for starters. We’re also interested in hearing from older paddlers about the challenges that aging brings to the sport, but also the rewards and perspective that maturity offers. Basically, the subject is wide open, so run with it! If you’re thinking of submitting a story and photos, please check out our new online submissions page. If you
The National Park Service (NPS) has scheduled three meetings in early March to gather comments on their alternative management scenarios for the New River Gorge National River. Meetings will be held in Hinton (3/9), Beckley (3/10), and at the New River Gorge (3/11). The NPS is considering several complex alternatives and paddlers are encouraged to attend these meetings to learn more and offer feedback. More information on the NPS alternatives can be found here, and meeting details can be
It has been almost 2 decades since the flow regime of the Russell Fork River (VA/KY) has been updated. Alot has been learned in that time regarding the recreational opportunities and ecological needs of rivers. Before the Army Corps of Engineers can update the release program however, they have to conduct a costly study of the impacts and opportunities associated with potential changes. A group of regional stakeholders are advocating that Congress allocate $250,000 in 2010/2011 and another $250,000 in
A landmark legislative battle is playing out right now in the state of Utah regarding the rights of paddlers to traverse the state’s rivers. A 2008 court case clarified that existing Utah law supports the public’s right to fish and paddle rivers, including the right to touch the bed and banks. In response, legislators have sought to pass new laws that redefine the rights of the public. As these bills have progressed, one bill has pulled forward as the most
A landmark legislative battle is playing out right now in the state of Utah regarding the rights of paddlers to traverse the state’s rivers. A 2008 court case clarified that existing Utah law supports the public’s right to fish and paddle rivers, including the right to touch the bed and banks. In response, legislators have sought to pass new laws that redefine the rights of the public. As these bills have progressed, one bill has pulled forward as the most
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and its partners will host a public meeting to announce the Francis E. Walter Dam Flow Management Plan and discuss its implementation for the 2010 recreation season. The meeting will be held Feb. 18 at the Mountain Laurel Resort, Route 940 West, White Haven, Pa., from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. The meeting will be facilitated by The Wildlands Conservancy. Corps partners, including the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission, the Pennsylvania Department of
American Whitewater asks that you Contact Colorado’s State Legislators and Urge them to Add Private Boaters to the “River Outfitter Bill”.The Colorado Legislature is considering a bill (House Bill 1188 or the “River Outfitters Bill”), which helps protect the rights of commercial boaters to float on commercial sections of river, and also increases the safety of boaters by decriminalizing incidental contact with land to portage obstacles. HB-1188 is a good bill, but doesn’t go far enough! Navigation and safety should
The Colorado legislature is considering House Bill 10-1188 (HB-1188), legislation that attempts to clarify Colorado’s river access laws. As written, HB-1188 is limited to commercial outfitters and sections of river that have been commercially rafted. On Monday, February 8th, the House Judiciary Committee approved an amended version of House Bill 1188 by a 7-3 vote. AW and Colorado Whitewater have contacted the sponsor of HB-1188, Representative Kathleen Curry (I-Gunnison) asking that the Bill be amended to include private boaters. For
Here’s a quick update from the Jackson Hole Kayak Club, one of the winners of the 2009 Clif Bar Flowing Rivers Campaign and an AW Affiliate Club. As you may recall,The Jackson Hole Kayak Club’s proposal was to install a set of stairs to access a section of the Snake River (WY) near the Kings Wave Rapid. This section of river has some excellent play features and is also a popular Class II/III run for beginner and expert boaters alike.
Here’s a quick update from the Jackson Hole Kayak Club, one of the winners of the 2009 Clif Bar Flowing Rivers Campaign and an AW Affiliate Club. As you may recall,The Jackson Hole Kayak Club’s proposal was to install a set of stairs to access a section of the Snake River (WY) near the Kings Wave Rapid. This section of river has some excellent play features and is also a popular Class II/III run for beginner and expert boaters alike.
After nearly a decade of negotiations and involvement by American Whitewater, Dillsboro Dam on the Tuckasegee River (NC) is finally being removed! February 4, 2010 saw the first steps of a multi-week process to remove the 100+ year old dam from blocking this great river from flowing freely. AW staff was on hand to film and take photos of this historic, and substantially delayed, event. Check out this quick clip from the day. Full video and photo recap to
American Whitewater would like to recognize Theresa Simsiman as our February Volunteer of the Month! Theresa Simsiman has been a whitewater paddler since 1999. In that short time she has made many significant contributions to rivers in California. In addition to being an active member of the whitewater community near her home in Coloma, Theresa decided that she wanted to give something back to this sport that she loved so much. In 2005, Theresa became involved in the relicensing
American Whitewater would like to recognize Theresa Simsiman as our February Volunteer of the Month! Theresa Simsiman has been a whitewater paddler since 1999. In that short time she has made many significant contributions to rivers in California. In addition to being an active member of the whitewater community near her home in Coloma, Theresa decided that she wanted to give something back to this sport that she loved so much. In 2005, Theresa became involved in the relicensing
The California Department of Water Resources (DWR) has released the whitewater park feasibility study on the Feather River in Oroville California. Included in the study was Phase I and Phase II, the study is part of the settlement agreement signed in 2006. Developing a whitewater park in Oroville was an idea first suggest by American Whitewater as a means of mitigating the lost whitewater opportunities that were flooded when lake Oroville was created. Although the settlement agreement did not require
Earlier this month the National Park Service released their new draft management plan for the New River Gorge National River. The analysis accompanying the plan explores five alternatives representing different strategies that are all targeted at protecting the ecological, cultural, historical, and recreational values of the river corridor. The Park Service has selected their prefered alternative and has requested public comments on their draft plan and analysis between now and April 1, 2010. You can access the analysis
There is a chance of road closures when timber harvest is underway. Check the PUD webpage for current information.
Yosemite National Park is starting fresh with a new river planning process for the Wild and Scenic Merced River and tributaries. The public can tell the park what they want studied in the plan by submitting comments before February 4, 2010. Yosemite severely limits whitewater boating in the park, so this is our chance to ask the planners to increase the whitewater boating opportunities. The initial public input phase for a new Merced river plan is still open for
Public hearings have been scheduled later this month regarding a new draft water quality permit for Blue Ridge Paper Products, which discharges tens of thousands of pounds of pollutants into the Pigeon River (NC/TN) each year. The debate over the effluents of the paper mill has been extremely controversial over the past few decades, and this new permitting process marks a significant opportunity for progress. Paddlers are encouraged to attend the hearings, learn more about the issue, and voice your
