frontpagenews

The Northeast's largest whitewater festival and American Whitewater fundraiser, Deerfield Fest, has been scheduled for June 30th, 2012 in Charlemont, MA. Members and Vendors alike should put the event on their calendar and plan on attending. We hope to see everyone there!

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.

Creek boaters--it's time to sit down and type up some of the great stories that you took part in in 2011. We're starting to wonder if the international creek boating federation was on strike this year--when we asked for stories on this topic earlier we were underwhelmed by the response. Creekers, please prove us wrong--show the world what you have done and what you can do!

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.

Green River, Utah - The Green River above Canyonlands National Park has been targeted as a source of water for a new Nuclear Power Plant. The State of Utah has approved a change in existing water rights, allowing local water districts to lease water for the project, which would cost billions of dollars to license and build. A Public Comment period will be open, prior to approval of the project.

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!

American Whitewater is pleased to announce the availability of our 2012 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, as in years past, all $100 - $2,500 memberships include a complimentary copy of the next American Whitewater Calendar. Awesome!

The US Department of Agriculture today released their analysis and proposed language behind a new Forest Planning Rule.  The Rule, when released formally within a month, will govern how National Forest plans are developed.  The new rule is intended to be more collaborative, transparent, and efficient. 

American Whitewater is looking for an oustanding vendor to help us build the next version of our website. 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.

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.

American Whitewater has formally weighed in to oppose the Susitna Dam in Alaska. The Susitna-Watana Hydroelectric Project would significantly degrade the recreational experience and unique ecological values of one of North America’s most iconic wilderness rivers. The Susitna is one of only a handful of large river systems around the world that remains in its free-flowing condition from the headwaters to the ocean. 

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.

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.

It's now time to start thinking about multi-day trips for this 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 out our database of permits and start planning that trip.

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!

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. In fact, anyone accessing 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. Those possessing a valid Virginia hunting, freshwater fishing, or trapping license, or have a current Virginia boat registration will not need to buy one.  It’s not yet clear which Virginia rivers are affected, and we need your help. Click ahead for more information.

Paddlers have the opportunity to help gain Wild and Scenic status for the San Joaquin, North Fork Kaweah and Kern Rivers.The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is recommending protection of these rivers as part of  the BLM Draft Resource Management Plan.  We need to let the agency know that paddlers support this action.

Charity Navigator has recognized our diligence in adhering to strict financial accountability for the second straight year. It is an honor to receive this top rating two years in a row 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 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!

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 "How I Got Started in Whitewater" and "Creeking." Check out the full article for more publication opportunities.

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.  

After more than 50 years of continuous publication, the American Whitewater Journal is the longest running paddlesports publication in the world. We'd like to invite everyone reading this to be a part of the future of the Journal by checking out our 2012 Media Kit.

John L. Berry, a true whitewater pioneer, died on Aug. 11th. He was 86. Berry was an outstanding whitewater competitor during the 50's and 60's. He was National C-1 and C-2 Champion and a member of the first US Whitewater Team in 1961. In 1957 he and his long-time C-2 partner Bob Harrigan lead the first descent of West Virginia's Cheat Canyon (Shown in the photo) and the New River Gorge from Thurmond to Fayette Station. In the mid-sixities he led several trips down a pre-dam Gauley River. He was also a remarkable boat designer. In 1960 he built one of the first American closed-deck C-1's; in the '70's he created several legendary open canoes. Anyone who paddles whitewater today owes much to his work.

 

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.

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

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 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.

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.