conservationnews

Today, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission issued a new 30-year license for the Nantahala Hydroelectric Project in Western North Carolina.  The new license confirms many elements of a 2003 collaborative settlement agreement developed by Duke Energy, American Whitewater, state and federal resource agencies, and many other stakeholders.  Included in the new license are flow releases that treat over 250,000 people each year to whitewater paddling on the Nantahala River.

American Whitewater is pleased to announce the recipient of our February 2012 Volunteer of the Month award: Harry Dundore! Harry contacted us with a plan for getting the AW message out to existing Affiliate Clubs and encouraging new clubs to join our stewardship efforts. He has worked tirelessly passing on AW's stewardship message and has been very successful in securing new members. In recognition of his efforts, Harry will be receiving a custom shirt from Kokatat! Thanks Harry!

In the fall of 2006 a major flood event severely damaged the road that provides access to the North Fork of the Skykomish River. Most of the damage was between the put-in at Drumbeater (just above Troublesome Creek) and the take-out at Trout Creek. Snohomish County has initiated an Environmental Assessment and is currently taking scoping comments to identified issues to consider in their project analysis. Paddlers are encouraged to weigh in. The deadline for comments is February 29th.

A generous land donation from a Friendsville resident has put a permanent, convenient takeout for the Upper Yough within paddlers’ reach. This facility will accomodate a growing number of paddlers while eliminating a situation that has been a sore point with local residents for decades. The Town of Friendsville, which stood up for paddlers many times over the last 18 months, is asking for help funding this project. American Whitewater is calling on all Upper Yough paddlers to give back to the town and the river by making donations, big or small, to help develop this access point. See the fundraising page for complete info.

Earlier this week American Whitewater appealed a decision by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to foreclose possible recreational releases on the Saranac River that was based on bad science, an inadequate review, and procedural problems. It is our hope that our appeal will confirm the need to rely on the best available science to make rational and transparent decisions - that ultimately protect rivers and their enjoyment.

American Whitewater recently joined regional paddling and conservation partners in seeking additional class III paddling opportunities on Vermont's Little and West rivers.  The requests were formal filings made to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.

Today, the US Forest Service released their newest proposal regarding how to manage recreation on the Wild and Scenic Upper Chattooga River, where they currently maintain a controversial ban on paddling. The proposal would allow more paddling than has been proposed by the Forest Service in prior proposals as soon as March of this year. However, like previous proposals, the new proposal would limit whitewater paddling by stream reach, season, and flow, while imposing no such limits on all other similar visitors.

Your voice is needed to help protect and restore the beaches, habitat, and cultural resources on the Colorado River in the Grand Canyon. For the first time since 1996, federal resource agencies are considering the future operations of Glen Canyon Dam, which will impact flows on the Colorado. Your comments can help shape the alternatives that will be considered in an upcoming Environmental Impact Statement for the operation of the dam. If you love the Grand Canyon, have been lucky enough to do a trip on the Colorado, or hope to experience it one day, your comments are important! They are due Tuesday, January 31^st!

Today, the Columbia Bioregional Education Project, joined by several conservation groups including American Whitewater, issued a new economic analysis of Okanogan Public Utility District’s proposal to re-start hydropower generation at Enloe Dam on the Similkameen River. The analysis, prepared by Rocky Mountain Econometrics concludes that it is not possible for the PUD to sell power from Enloe Dam at or above the cost of producing it, and that the PUD will lose $26 for every megawatt hour produced at the dam.

Currently underway, the Elwha River restoration project is the biggest dam removal effort in history. This week we are proud to release the third film in our series on dam removal celebrating the Year of the River.

After a second fatality on West Virginia's Upper Blackwater River in just over two years Blackwater Falls State Park is now making it mandatory to sign in at the state park lodge and will ticket any kayakers who do not sign in. First run in 1971 by Joe Monahan, Phil Allender, and Todd Martin, this stretch has become a classic "test piece" for today's high-end creek boaters. Tucker County, which responds to accidents in the drainage, is considering legislation to make anyone requiring help from Search and Rescue responsible for the costs. The State Park has also threatened "drastic actions" if faced with more fatal incidents in the future, possibly eliminating access to the Upper Blackwater from State Park land. AW strongly urges paddlers to cooperate with the park and to exercise extra caution when running the river.

In addition to seeking comments on the management of lands within the Colorado River Valley Field Office, the BLM is also seeking comments on their management of lands within the Kremmling Field Office, which includes the Upper Colorado and other rivers important to whitewater recreation. This draft Resource Management Plan is also a hefty one, and American Whitewater has distilled this one down too, focusing on the issues that are important to you. You can read our dRMP guide and get tips on how to provide meaningful and substantive comments here. The future flows of the Colorado River depend on it!

Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley along with Representatives Peter DeFazio, Earl Blumenauer, and Kurt Schrader have introduced legislation (S.2001/H.R.3436) to permanently protect portions of the Rogue River and its surrounding forests. The legislation would protect the quality of the world-class recreational experience this river provides.

The BLM is seeking comments on their management of lands within the Colorado River Valley Field Office, which includes the Upper Colorado and other rivers important to whitewater recreation. The draft Resource Management Plan is hefty, but American Whitewater has distilled it down to the issues that are important to you. You can read our dRMP guide and get tips on how to provide meaningful and substantive comments here. The future flows of the Colorado River depend on it!

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 calls for two new whitewater features to be built immediately downstream of Holtwood Dam along the York County side of the Susquehanna River at the base of a defunct fish ladder. It is anticipated that the construction of the features will occur in 2012, and will be fully operational in 2013.

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. We have asked the Forest Service to find each of these streams eligible for Wild and Scenic designation and thus grant them interim protection.

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.

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.

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 here. 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!

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. The access will be reopened as soon as conditions stabilize.

Yosemite National Park is currently seeking your input as they develop alternatives for the Merced Wild and Scenic River Management Plan. Boating is currently banned throughout most of the Park, and we are pleased to see that it is being considered on additional stretches of the river. Your comments can help support opening the entire length of the Wild and Scenic Merced River within the Park to canoes, kayaks and rafts! Comments are due December 14th, 2011.  

The recently finalized report on a pulse flow program on the Black Canyon of the Bear River, located in Southeastern Idaho highlights the role that new water releases are playing in the restoration of the river reach. The report documents positive effects on instream habitat and aquatic insect populations.  American Whitewater is now actively working with other stakeholders to finalize a flow program on the Bear for decades to come. 

Earlier today the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission accepted the surrender of a preliminary permit that could have led to a new hydropower project on Idaho's Little Potlatch Creek. The proposed pump-storage project would have included a dam exceeding 200 feet tall on Little Potlatch Creek. The Little Potlatch will remain free-flowing! 

Legislation that threatens the integrity of the Wild and Scenic Rivers System has moved out of Committee Hearings and will soon be put to a vote on the House Floor. HR 2578 proposes to roll back the designated boundary of California's Wild and Scenic Merced River. The Wild and Scenic Rivers Act is one of the strongest tools that we have to protect the free-flowing rivers we value for future generations, and HR 2578 is a slippery slope for Wild and Scenic Rivers throughout the country. Please contact your Representatives today!

The Bureau of Reclamation and National Park Service are gearing up to do some long-term planning for the operation of Glen Canyon Dam on the Colorado River and they are seeking your input. This is the first time that the operation of Glen Canyon Dam has been evaluated in 15 years. Through the process, the agencies wil evaluate how to operate the dam in a way that is protective of the environmental, cultural and recreational values of the Colorado River while also meeting water supply obligations and providing hydropower. The process will shape dam operations and flows on the Colorado River for the next 15 to 20 years.  Learn more about the process, public scoping meetings and how to comment here! 

American Whitewater is asking all paddlers and river lovers to take 5 minutes and read our 2011 Winter Appeal (pdf). In it, we lay out some of biggest successes from the past year and all the hard work we’ve done on behalf of river lovers everywhere, members or not. We won’t suger coat it, this Winter Appeal is our direct request to all whitewater enthusiasts to make a tax-deductible donation to American Whitewater, to help fund our river stewardship work. However, we think our consistent successes and careful, lean money management make us an excellent choice for a contribution.

After nearly a century, Washington's White Salmon River in south central Washington is flowing freely again! Earlier today, a hole was blasted in the base of Condit Dam, and its reservoir - Northwestern Lake - began to pour through it. The reservoir is expected to be fully drained by sundown.As a party to the 1999 settlement agreement for removal, American Whitewater has played a leadership role in representing the interests of the whitewater recreation community in the effort to remove Condit Dam.

Earlier today, the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals overturned the final legal challenge to the 2001 Roadless Area Conservation Rule, affirming protections for nearly 60 million acres around the country and some spectacular backcountry whitewater destinations that flow through them. Today's decision clears up legal ambiguity that had existed.

Tallulah releases are scheduled to happen this fall! American Whitewater received notification that fall whitewater releases on the Tallulah River will occur the first three weekends of November.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' Philadelphia District  announced it will begin drawing down the pool of the Francis E. Walter Dam to its winter level starting Oct. 17. The draw down follows the completion of the recreation season, which included
all 24 planned whitewater release events and numerous fisheries enhancement
releases

As the winter rains return to the Pacific Northwest, those passing through Washington's Olympic Peninsula in search of paddling opportunities will have an opportunity to see the largest dam removal effort in the nation underway. Olympic National Park recently opened the Elwha Dam Overlook Trail where visitors can view dam removal progress in person.

Several bills currently threaten Wild and Scenic Rivers throughout the country, including the St. Croix in Minnesota and Wisconsin (HR 850/S1134), California's Merced River (HR 869 and 2578), and Oregon's Crooked River (HR 2060).  These bills will be moving out of committee this fall, and American Whitewater recently joined with other conservation organizations and many of our Affiliate Clubs in submitting a letter to Congress voicing our concerns.

Late last month Snohomish PUD submitted a preliminary permit application to investigate the feasibility of a hydropower project at Sunset Falls on the Skykomish River. This is not the first hydropower project that has been proposed at Sunset Falls, however the river is part of the Washington State Scenic River system (RCW 79A.55.070), is within a Northwest Power and Conservation Council Protected Area from hydropower development, and has been recommended for designation as a Wild and Scenic River for its Scenic, Recreation, Fish, and Wildlife values.

A strong response from the whitewater community has gone a long way towards protecting summer whitewater on the Upper Youghiogheny River. The story started when property owners on the back coves of Deep Creek Lake started pressuring politicians to raise the minimum summer lake leve . This could have eliminated many summer releases! A discussion between the Editor of the Garrett County Republican and Friendsville Town Councilman Jess Whittemore resulted in an editorial that drew an unprecedented 160 supportive letters from paddlers and local businessmen. This set the stage for the October 3 town council meeting in Friendsville, which drew state senators, representatives, and other important figures in Garrett County. Read on to get the latest update!

Join AW Staff and Volunteers on the Pit River in Northern California this weekend!  Whitewater releases are scheduled for October 1st/2nd, and October 15th/16th and are expected to be about 850-950 cfs. Come on out Saturday night and join us at the Pit River Recreation Area to celebrate the releases and get caught up on our Stewardship work in California. We look forward to seeing you on the river!

Maryland's Upper Youghiogheny River is one of the finest expert whitewater runs in the country and one of the few with a predictable summer release schedule. Hundreds of private and commercial paddlers assemble in Friendsville every summer weekend to run the river. Recently a handful of property owners on the back coves of Deep Creek Lake have been pressuring politicians to raise the “lower rule band”, the minimum level for the lake at a given time. This could eliminate 70% of summer releases! Read on to find out how you can stand up for summer whitewater on the Upper Yough.

The Forest Service is developing a new Forest Plan for the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest and has released a Proposed Action. The Forest Service is accepting public comment on this plan that will guide management for the next decade or more. 

The biggest dam removal in history begins September 17, 2011 on Washington’s Elwha River. In partnership with American Rivers and the Hydropower Reform Coalition, American Whitewater is releasing Episode 1 of our Year of the River film series.

Protection provided by the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act are currently under threat by several pieces of legislation in Congress. HR850/S1134 targets the St. Croix River in Minnesota and Wisconsin, HR 869 and HR 2578 target the Merced River in California, and HR 2060 applies to the Crooked River in Oregon. If passed, the implications reach beyond these three rivers - opening the door to development threatens to undermine the integrity of the Wild and Scenic Rivers System overall. 

American Whitewater is pleased to announce the recipient of our September Volunteer of the Month award: Shanti Savage! Shanti is a volunteer extraordinaire and river guide on the San Juan (CO). She is very involved with the Lower Dolores Boating Advocates and has helped AW by taking press down the San Juan and also with the Delores River Festival. Thanks and great job Shanti! In recognition of her efforts Shanti will be receiving a custom Destination Shirt from our partners at Kokatat.

Yesterday, national and regional conservation-oriented paddling organizations submitted comments on the US Forest Service’s 489-page Environmental Assessment (EA) regarding recreation on the Wild and Scenic Upper Chattooga River.  Also joining the comments were three individuals that enjoyed paddling the river prior to the controversial 1976 paddling ban.

The National Park Service shares an open letter to boaters regarding what to expect this season on the Gauley River (WV) including the recent acquisition of a parcel of land at upper Swiss that provides a public take-out on the lower Gauley.

On June 30, 2011, PG&E dropped the flow on the Poe Reach of the North Fork Feather River in California from ~2,000 cfs to a mere 114 cfs, leaving egg masses laid by the Foothill Yellow-Legged Frog high and dry.  American Whitewater and partner California Sportfishing Protection Alliance called upon the State Water Resources Control Board, FERC and PG&E to prevent this from happening again.  An investigation has been initiated.  

Whitewater boating flows will be coming to the Pit River in Northern California each October. On June 14, 2011, FERC issued an order approving four days of whitewater boating flows annually in the Pit 1 Bypass reach. These flows implement the 2003 license issued to PG&E by FERC for its operation of the Pit 1 Hydroelectric Project (FERC # 2687), and attempt to mitigate the loss of whitewater recreation on the Pit River due to the project. Fall 2011 releases have been scheduled for the weekends of October 1st/2nd and 15th/16th.

The Forest Service recently published a 500-page manifesto aimed at continuing the 35 year old ban on paddling the upper Chattooga.  If you care about being able to enjoy rivers flowing through public lands, we ask that you submit a comment regarding the upper Chattooga River, and to call your political representative before the August 30, 2011 deadline. 

River enthusiasts in Virginia, including American Whitewater, are circulating the below petition to raise support for legislation clarifying that paddling is fully supported by the State of Virginia. Join us by signing this petition!

The Army Corps of Engineers recently cancelled their review of the Flaming Gorge Pipeline in Wyoming and Colorado.  The project, proposed by Aaron Million, was originally slated as a water supply project, diverting 250,000 acre-feet of water annually 560 miles from Flaming Gorge Reservoir to Southeastern Wyoming and the Front Range of Colorado. This spring, Million indicated interest in adding hydropower to the project, and has stated that he will seek review with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission instead.  American Whitewater is tracking the issue.  

Unhappy with a plan to protect 1 million acres of land along the Grand Canyon from new uranium mining,  congressmen recently introduced a rider to an appropriations bill that would prevent these protections. Tell Congress that opening the Grand Canyon to new uranium mining would be a huge mistake!

Ottawa-based videographer Mike McKay recently set out to film some of the great whitewater of the Columbia Gorge and document the building anticipation for removal of Condit Dam.

The EBMUD is seeking comments on their revised 2040 Water Plan, which continues to seek to drown part of the Mokelumne River in California.  The Electra Run and Middle Bar Reach are not only an important resource for whitewater and other river based recreation, but are also hold cultural significance.  EBMUD needs to hear from all who love the Moke that expanding Pardee Reservoir is still a bad idea.  Submit your comments by Friday, July 29th.   

American Whitewater, Placer County Water Agency and other stakeholders are collecting information about optimal boating flows on the Rubicon River in California. If you've boated the Rubicon between Hell Hole Dam and Ralston Afterbay in 2011 and haven't already done so, please fill out a survery about your experience. Your opinion will help determine future boating flows on the river!

Earlier today the US Forest Service released a Draft Environmental Assessment that proposes to continue denying the American public the simple right to float in canoes and kayaks down the Wild and Scenic Upper Chattooga River for most or all of the year depending on the section of river.  While successful in advancing some of the paddling community’s conservation goals, paddlers remain singled out for inequitable and harsh limits based solely on the Agency’s unfounded belief that user conflicts would occur if boating were allowed. 

The US Forest Service is replacing the Indian Creek Bridge, which will result in a closure of the road to the normal Selway River put-in (the Paradise Boat Launch) from August 8-19th. Paddlers wanting to run the Selway during the road closure period may put in upstream of the Indian Creek Bridge, however there are no designated or developed launch sites in this area.

AW is collecting contact information for a possible volunteer opportunity documenting the environmental effects of the Yellowstone River oil spill.  Read more if you are a skilled whitewater boater and are interested.

The Secretary of the Interior recently announced a 6-month extension to his Department's moratorium on new uranium mining claims on over 1 million acres along the rim of the Grand Canyon.  This extension will protect the area while the Department of the Interior reviews the 300,000 comments received on their proposal to extend the protections for the next 20 years.

The "Needles" section of the Potomac and the Shenandoah "Staircase" are two of the most popular Class II-III summer runs runs for Mid-States paddlers. This narrow valley also contains major railroad and highway crossings and the historic town of Harper's Ferry, WV. Recently paddlers have seen some of the best put-ins and take-outs around Harpers Ferry bought up or blocked. As the area becomes a bigger magnet for tourists, fishermen, hikers, bicyclists, tubers and rafters in addition to paddlers we need to see that our interests are balanced with other users when decisions are made. Recently paddlers from the Mason Dixon and Monocacy Canoe clubs and Harpers Ferry Outdoor Festival, Inc. met with Rebecca Harriett, the superintendant of Harpers Ferry National Historic Park, and Kevin Brandt, the superintendent of C&O Canal National Historic Park. Read on to see what happened and how you can help.

Do you have mad art skills and some time on your hands?  American Whitewater is producing a document aimed at helping stream restoration project designers create stream channels that are as natural, safe, and fun as possible. We are seeking an artist who can convey the anatomy of a river in a compelling manner. 

This past winter the Town of Friendsville showed strong support for whitewater releases on the Upper Youighiogheny River. Paddlers can show their gratitude by minimizing their impact during the busy 4th of July Weekend. Friendsville is a small, quiet town of less than 600 people, so several hundred paddlers can quickly overwhelm residential areas. To be good neighbors paddlers must be increasingly sensitive and respectful. Don't take out upstream of the Maple Street Bridge or park cars on either Water Street or Morris Street. Invited guests of residents who live here should park off the street. The area under the Interstate Bridges and in front of the church should not be used for parking either, as this increases side street traffic and disturbs those who live there. Be discrete when changing clothes and avoid blocking traffic in town when carrying or loading boats. Let's work hard to be good neighbors on this and other release weekends.

The EPA and Army Corp of Engineers are proposing new guidelines that will ensure that the Clean Water Act covers whitewater rivers and their tributaries.  The proposed guidelines are in response to Bush-era interpretations of lawsuits that leave many headwater streams unprotected or underprotected.  Paddlers should take a minute or two and let the EPA and Corp of Engineers know that you support their proposed guidelines. 

Earlier today PacifiCorp made a filing with the Federal Energy Regulatory (FERC) accepting the terms and conditions propsed to govern the surrender of PacifiCorp's license for the Condit Hydroelectric Project including removal of the dam. The reservoir will be drained in October 2011.

At the American Whitewater Board meeting in North Bend (WA), the Directors appointed Courtney Wilton, of Portland (OR), to a special two-year term. Please join with me in welcoming Courtney to the American Whitewater Board of Directors.

American Whitewater and AW lead volunteers that assist with Tallulah releases met with GA Power and the Tallulah Gorge State Park to discuss repairs that are taking place on the dam to repair gates damaged in a heavy rain event back in August of 2010.

Colorado - The BLM is acccepting final comments on the proposed permit and fee system for Ruby and Horsethief Canyons of the Colorado River.  Comments will be accepted from June 6 to July 6 - only one month. 

Photo Credit - Daniel Anderson

Only twice each year, American Whitewater appeals for financial support for our river stewardship work. To this end, we've put together the 2011 American Whitewater Summer Appeal (pdf). It details just how our supporter's money is spent and features a national listing of some of the major  projects we're currently involved with. We sincerely hope you'll take the time to peruse this document and consider donating or joining/renewing with American Whitewater.

Black Canyon Hydro, LLC filed an application for a preliminary permit proposing to study the feasibility of the Black Canyon Hydroelectric Project to be located on the North Fork of the Snoqualmie River, WA. This section of river is well known to paddlers as Ernie's Gorge--a regionally significant class V whitewater run. A comment period is now open allowing the public to provide input on this permit application.

American Whitewater is pleased to announce Peter Stekel, of Seattle, Washington, as our June Volunteer of the Month! In recognition of his efforts, Peter will be receiving a Kokatat Destination Paddling Shirt. Thanks Peter!

American Whitewater regularly accepts donations for specific projects, and we would like to invite paddlers to donate to support our stream access work in Virginia. American Whitewater is working with a team of volunteers, pro-bono attorneys, and regional river enthusiasts to reduce threats of prosecution for the simple act of floating down a river or stream.

The power company's gate will be unlocked this Saturday on the Ausable River, granting access to the Ausable Chasm, and will remain open until the end of October.  Currently flows in the Ausable Chasm are far above the recommended range, and AW has been made aware that new wood has washed into the river, possibly creating hazards or passage issues.

Last week the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) issued a new license to the City of Kaukuna for the Badger-Rapide Croche Hydroelectric Project (P-2677). We are pleased to report that they recognized whitewater recreation as a legitimate use of the Fox River and incorporated our recommendations in the new license.

American Whitewater and Clif Bar are proud to announce the recipient of the 2011 Clif Bar Flowing Rivers Campaign: the Mount Washington Valley Paddlers! MWVP will receive a $1,250 grant to go towards the improvement of two access points along the Androscoggin River in New Hampshire as well as a river cleanup along the same stretch. Congratulations!

New river releases and public access areas are now set happen on the Tuckasegee River and its forks following a decade of studies, negotiations, lawsuits, and agency deliberation. Earlier this week the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) issued new federal hydropower licenses for dams on the East and West Forks of the Tuckasegee River in western North Carolina.

Earlier today Congressman Rick Larsen (WA-2) and Senator Patty Murray (WA) reintroduced legislation to designate Illabot Creek as a Wild and Scenic River. The legislation will protect the free-flowing character of Illabot Creek, an important habitat for threatened wild Chinook salmon, steelhead, bull trout and other wildlife, while maintaining recreational opportunities to explore this remote river gorge.

This past February the Deep Creek Lake Policy and Review Board petitioned the Maryland Department of the Environment to raise the lower rule band, the minimum level that Deep Creek Lake can be lowered to support releases for power, fisheries, and whitewater paddling. The petition was made on behalf of about 50 homeowners on backwater lots who may be stranded behind mud flats during extreme droughts. American Whitewater supported local outfitters and the Town of Friendsville in opposing this change. Without the efforts of two long-time local residents the summer release program would have been curtailed and many Saturdays in July and August would have been eliminated. Read on to find out how these good people saved our summer paddling!

American Whitewater is excited to announce the availability of a patch for AW Members! This patch is only available to AW members who sign up for our auto-renewal program. If you're an AW Member who has signed up for the auto-renew program, you should have already received this patch in the mail. We hope to see everyone wearing these patches proudly!

Earlier today the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) released a decision that supports and orders the removal of Condit Dam, located on Washington's White Salmon River in October of this year.  The decision was in response to an appeal filed by American Whitewater and our partners, and clears the path forward for one of the most exciting river restoration initiatives in the United States!

American Whitewater is excited to announce our new patch for Lifetime Members. This patch is only available to our Lifetime ($750) and above members. If you’re a Lifetime Member, you should have already received this patch in the mail. If you see someone sporting one of these patches, please say thanks to them for their generous contribution to American Whitewater and their dedication to saving rivers!

Be advised that due to current river flow and weather conditions on the Hoosic River there will be no whitewater release at the Schaghticoke Dam this Saturday, April 23. Per the established protocols, the release is now postponed one-week until April 30 from 1-4 PM, once again river flow conditions permitting (i.e., allowing for the desired 900 - 1,600 cfs release)

Colorado - American Whitewater would like to announce our new part-time program staff in the Dolores River basin - Jay Loschert! Jay will be working with AW's Colorado Program Director to organize the local paddling community and to work with the US Bureau of Reclamation and our stakeholders in the Dolores to improve instream flows below McPhee Dam. Welcome Jay!

American Whitewater received notice that GA Power is canceling May Tallulah boating releases due to ongoing repairs of dam gates.

The Outdoor Alliance, a coalition of human-powered recreation organizations, seeks a highly motivated individual to fill a two-year Grass-top Advocacy Fellow position. The Fellow will build coalitions of climbers, paddlers, hikers, backcountry skiers and mountain bikers to positively impact conservation policy at the state, regional and national level.

Over the past six years at American Whitewater, we have gone to great lengths to meet our fiduciary responsibility, and we are pleased that Charity Navigator has recognized our diligence in adhering to strict financial accountability. It is an honor to receive this top rating in distinction for our philanthropic efforts in river conservation. We will strive to maintain the high standards set forth by Charity Navigator and continue to earn the trust and respect of our members.

The paddling community is rallying to support a proposed 20-year federal moratorium on new uranium mining claims around Grand Canyon National Park, citing unacceptable risk to the recreational, environmental, and aesthetic values.  Read more to learn how to submit a comment of your own. 

The Bridger-Teton National Forest continues to seek public input for the next stage in creating its comprehensive management plan for the Wild and Scenic Snake River Headwaters. Paddlers are encouraged to review the background information and offer the Forest Service your feedback by taking a survey posted in this article.  Feedback is appreciated by April 11, 2011. 

American Whitewater is incredibly excited to announce the arrival of a new Class V ($20,000) partner: Bliss-Stick US! This year, Bliss-Stick US came to us with a novel idea: "Instead of spending money on marketing, we're just going to spend it on saving rivers". Do us a favor, stop by their facebook page or twitter account and say thanks for their support of rivers and AW!

Spring is definitely in the air and we want to give folks an update on the changes to expect this year for the Bear River Black Canyon whitewater releases, located in Southeastern Idaho.

The PA Bureau of State Parks announces 2011 access guidelines to Ohiopyle Falls.

The Merced Irrigation District wants to raise the dam at Lake McClure, which will illegally inundate portions of the Wild and Scenic Merced River in California.  In an effort to move forward, the Irrigation District's answer is to have Congress change the Wild and Scenic boundary.  If HR869 passes, it will be the first time a Wild and Scenic River boundary has been changed to allow for increased capacity of an existing reservoir.  Find out how you can stop this attack on the Merced River and Wild and Scenic Rivers everywhere.

American Whitewater and Clif Bar are pleased to announce the 9th annual Clif Bar Flowing Rivers Campaign, pledging $2,500 to American Whitewater Affiliate Clubs for river stewardship work. AW Affiliate Clubs have the opportunity to apply for one of two $1,250 grants. Grants will be distributed to clubs for projects that promote river stewardship, conservation, access, and/or safety on our nation's rivers.

We now have an updated map of all the Nation's Wild and Scenic Rivers available as a Google Earth layer that complements the data from our National Whitewater River Inventory that is also available in Google Earth.

Since it's premiere last year, "Trout on the Wind" has continued to attract accolades and awards. The 10 minute short video documents the removal of a dam located within the Gifford Pinchot National Forest on Trout Creek.

PacifiCorp has released the schedule for summer whitewater boating opportunities on the North Fork Rogue. This is the last year of a 3 year trial to evaluate instream flow needs for recreation and demand for these releases. We will be working with PacifiCorp to evaluate interest and demand for the continuation of these releases so get out there and enjoy them!

On Thursday, February 24, 2011, California Stewardship Director Dave Steindorf presented at the Northwest Hydroelectric Association’s annual conference in Portland, Oregon.  The theme of the conference was “Hydropower: Generating a Clean Future,” and Dave and other panelists discussed the lessons learned from addressing conflicting expectations while negotiating and implementing 30 to 50 year FERC licenses.  Dam relicensing is a long and difficult process that requires patience, consistency and persistence, and the lessons we've learned from the licenses that we have negotiated have made us recognized as experts in the field of relicensing and long-term license implementation. 

American Whitewater recently joined a strong coalition of voices calling for adequate ongoing funding for stream gages throughout the country.  Deep cuts are proposed to many vital public programs as Congress works to pass a fiscal year 2012 budget, including continuing to underfund the already ailing USGS National Streamflow Information Program and Cooperative Water Program. Paddlers have historically been among the most vocal supporters of a robust streamgaging program and members of Congress strongly value hearing from us. Speak up now to protect your threatened local river gage!

A new online reservation system is now in place for permits to boat the John Day River. Capacity limits have now been established for the Service Creek to Clarno segment and Clarno to Cottonwood segment. The permits are being released on a first-come first-serve basis and are being released in two batches (Mar 1 and May 1).

Access to the Green River Headworks put-in managed by Tacoma is unavailable due to a large volume of wood that was incorrectly placed and now blocks the boater access. Tacoma is working to address the situation with the Army Corps of Engineers and reopen the access shortly. In the meantime access is available at the headwall rapid downstream of the Tacoma watershed gate.

Removal began today of the first of two dams on South Carolina's Twelvemile Creek that are slated for demolition.  Removal of the second dam will occur this summer.  The removals will restore roughly two miles of Twelvemile Creek to its natural free-flowing condition. 

Spring 2011 releases on the Tallulah River (GA) are being rescheduled. American Whitewater received notice from GA Power that spring Tallulah releases are not likely to occur in the first two weekends of April.

As with many states across the West, Washington is facing a challenging budget situation. Despite representing only 1% of the total budget, natural resource agencies are bracing for potentially significant cuts. This could impact both recreational access to rivers and state programs that protect water quality. American Whitewater has spent time at the state legislature speaking up on the value of important programs for rivers.

Earlier today Congressman Kurt Schrader and Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley re-introduced legislation to protect the Molalla as a Wild and Scenic River. The river is an outstanding recreational resource for the whitewater paddling community.