AW Not to Pursue Yellowstone Legislation in Senate

American Whitewater has decided not to advocate for a Senate version of the River Paddling Protection Act, ending our exploration of a legislative solution to the management of paddling in Yellowstone and Grand Teton national parks. 

Congressional leaders, lead by the sponsor Congresswoman Cynthia Lummis, passed a revised version of the bill with bi-partisan support in the House Natural Resources Committee in late January. It then passed the House of Representatives last week as part of a highly controversial package of public lands bills.  Since that time it has become apparent that there is insufficient support from the National Park Service and our conservation partners to justify our active involvement with moving forward with the legislative process.  

Advocating for this legislation in the Senate with insufficient support would exhaust resources better spent on promising conservation projects, would damage valued relationships, and would be unlikely to produce a favorable outcome.  We greatly appreciate the many people's time and effort involved with this initiative, and value the conversations that have occurred around this important issue as a result of the legislation.