Yesterday, Congresswoman Cynthia Lummis (R-WY) introduced the River Paddling Protection Act, H.R.3492 , in the US House of Representatives.  The bill would eliminate federal prohibitions on paddling small human-powered boats like canoes and kayaks on rivers within Yellowstone and Grand Teton national parks.    

The rivers in question were closed to paddling over 60 years ago to prevent overfishing.  The paddling ban is no longer needed to serve this purpose.  Park managers refused to analyze the potential for allowing paddling in a recent draft management plan for several Wild and Scenic Rivers, citing the 60 year old regulations. 

American Whitewater has long argued that paddling could be carefully managed in these parks in a manner that is environmentally sustainable, similar to how hiking, skiing, angling, and other similar activities are managed.  We feel that it is wrong of the National Park Service to deny people the chance to float the rivers in these parks without cause or any evidence of need, and we appreciate Congresswoman Lummis highlighting this very important issue.  

With this said, our organization puts the preservation of the natural resources of the parks above any form of recreational use, our own included.  We’ll be thoughtfully considering and discussing the current bill in this context, and will only support solutions that support sound, fair, and sustainable river management. American Whitewater will spend the next few days and likely weeks reviewing the bill and discussing it with our regional partners who share a commitment to the preservation and sustainable enjoyment of these special places. 

The National Park Service is an outstanding partner in preserving wild places and promoting their responsible enjoyment.  American Whitewater has opposed legislating management issues in other parks, even when we did not like the management decisions, because we felt a fair process was giving all interests a hard look.  In Yellowstone and Grand Teton however, managers have strayed from Park Service policies and have failed to give paddling fair consideration.    

A subcommittee hearing on the bill is scheduled for next Thursday, November 21.  American Whitewater will be offering testimony outlining the issues, and supporting an outcome that both protects natural resources and treats paddling like other similar activites.