American Whitewater
Lead organization advocating for federal compliance with the Wilderness Act and Wild and Scenic Rivers Act through the lifting of the boating ban on the Chattooga Headwaters. AW is a national 501(c3) non-profit organization of primarily non-commercial whitewater paddlers that focuses on volunteer activities, river conservation and restoration, river access, and safety. AW has been seeking nationally consistent river management on the Chattooga for roughly 10 years. AW is a stakeholder in the user capacity analysis and is the lead plaintiff in the lawsuit against the US Forest Service.

United States Forest Service
The US Forest Service manages hundreds – if not thousands – of whitewater rivers across the nation. On their lands, only the Chattooga is banned to boating. The Sumter National Forest is a branch of the USFS and is in charge of managing the entire Chattooga River. AW appealed the USFS ban on boating to the agency's highest office. The decision on that appeal found that the ban violated the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act and Wilderness Act because the ban was unjustified - yet allowed the ban to continue for at least 2-5 years during analysis. USFS leaders are the defendants in the lawsuit regarding the boating ban. Outside of the Chattooga Basin, the USFS generally does an excellent job of river management.

American Canoe Association
National non-profit organization dedicated to helping people enjoy the outdoors using kayaks, canoes, and rafts. The ACA is a supporter of paddling the Wild and Scenic Chattooga River, and is a plaintiff in the lawsuit against the US Forest Service.

Trout Unlimited
National organization whose mission is to conserve, protect and restore North America’s trout and salmon fisheries and their watersheds. Two state chapters and several local chapters of TU oppose paddling on the Upper Chattooga, with support from the national organization. These chapters sought to join the lawsuit in defense of the boating ban. AW recently responded to a TU Newsletter with aletter to the editor and also by creating a Frequently Asked Questions Page on our website.

Georgia Canoeing Association
Paddling club based in Georgia. The GCA is a supporter of paddling the Wild and Scenic Chattooga River, and is a plaintiff in the lawsuit against the US Forest Service.

Atlanta Whitewater Club
Paddling club based in Georgia. The AWC is a supporter of paddling the Wild and Scenic Chattooga River, and is a plaintiff in the lawsuit against the US Forest Service.

Western Carolina Paddlers
Paddling club based in North Carolina. WCP is a supporter of paddling the Wild and Scenic Chattooga River, and is a plaintiff in the lawsuit against the US Forest Service.

Foothills Paddling Club
Paddling club based in South Carolina. The FPC is a supporter of paddling the Wild and Scenic Chattooga River, and is a plaintiff in the lawsuit against the US Forest Service.

Patton Boggs
National law firm that represented American Whitewater in their successful administrative appeal of the boating ban, and that currently represents American Whitewater as co-counsel in the litigation against the US Forest Service.

Alston & Bird
National law firm currently representing American Whitewater and other plaintiffs in their lawsuit against the US Forest Service.

Georgia Forest Watch
Non-governmental organization opposed to paddling the Upper Chattooga. Sought to join the lawsuit in defense of the boating ban. Position can be read in their newsletter and a rebuttal by AW sent to them can be read here

Chattooga Conservancy
Non-governmental organization opposed to paddling the Upper Chattooga. Sought to join the lawsuit in defense of the boating ban. A recent meeting and subsequent Conservancy web post sparked a rebuttal from AW and a story in the Anderson Independent. Chattooga Conservancy has recently conceded that boating is appropriate on the Chattooga Headwaters.

Whiteside Cove Association
Homeowners group that owns/leases the lands surrounding the uppermost 1.7 miles of the Wild and Scenic Chattooga River. An initial letter to the USFS opposing public access solicited a letter in response from AW. They have posted the river as no trespassing and are actively opposed to any paddling of the Upper Chattooga. They sought to join the lawsuit in defense of the boating ban.

Friends of the Upper Chattooga
Loose coalition of groups opposed to boating on the Wild and Scenic Chattooga River. They sought to join the lawsuit in defense of the boating ban.