* Identify yourself and your personal connection to the North Fork Skykomish, and the value of the river as a regional paddling destination.
* Note the importance of being able to access the river from the upstream end (over Jack's Pass) to mile 11.7 (Drumbeater), mile 10.9 (Rooster Tail), or mile 10.5 (bridge access). We are requesting that the gate be moved to facilitate this access from the upstream direction until the repairs are completed at road mile 6.4 to 6.7.
A generous 4 acre land donation from a Friendsville resident has put a permanent, convenient takeout for the Upper Yough within paddlers’ reach.The donated land is in the field on the upstream side of Route 742.This new lot will greatly improve boater parking in town. The current arrangement, with paddlers parking on both sides of busy State Route 742 ,is a source of friction with town residents as well as a real safety concern. Your donations are needed to fully fund this project.
The Mayor and Town Council of Friendsville has protected the interests of Upper Yough paddlers many times over the past 18 months. Their efforts have prevented cancellation of up to 35% of summer dam releases and halted efforts by Deep Creek State Park to charge a per-head river running fee at the Sang Run access this summer. The Town of Friendsville will continue to protect and develop the river resource and is now asking for your support.Councilman Jess Whittemore has spearheaded an effort to create large parking lot on these four acres
Once the lot is in place, taking out will be easier. Paddlers will be able to get out under the I-68 bridge and walk past the church to the field or continue down to the Wilderness Voyageurs access. There will be parking for 125 cars, with room for expansion. Although the lot will require almost $100,000 to finish completely, we can be parking on the grass this season for much less money. The town hopes to keep the lot open free of charge, but this will happen only if they can raise the money for this complex and expensive project from outside sources. They are aggressively pursuing grants, but paddler donations are also needed.
It's time for Upper Yough paddlers to support the town! You can double the value of your donation by acting now. American Whitewater and several past and present board members have created a $2000 fund to match the first $2000 of individual donations. The Coastal Canoeists have put up $1500 to match donations from paddling clubs. Our goal is $12,000, which will pay for the culvert and entryway off Route 742, a fence at the edge of the parking lot along Church Street, and a boater change area at the far end of the parking lot.
Let's show the Town we appreciate their support!
You can donate on line:
You can also see the full fundraising page for additional photos and info.
Clubs should make their checks out to the “Town of Friendsville”. Please put “Boater Parking” in the FOR line at the bottom of the check and mail to: Town of Friendsville, PO Box 9, Friendsville, MD 21531. Individuals who prefer to pay by check can do the same. Please drop Councilman Whittemore an email (see below) so he knows that it's coming.
Questions? Please contact Councilman Jess Whittemore at jwit@mac.com or Charlie Walbridge at ccwalbridge@cs.com.
High Falls Gorge of the Saranac River is a short and stout section of waterfalls that is typically dewatered by a hydropower dam and diversion. While you may not aspire to paddling this challenging river, the contested relicensing process for the dam blocking the river could affect many of your treasured dam release rivers in New York and beyond.
The power company (NYSEG), often with the strong backing of the New York Dept. of Environmental Conservation (NYDEC) has asserted that:
Obviously, both of these opinions are patently false. Rivers benefit from the restoration of natural flow dynamics, and counting paddlers at a dry river is not a rational method for estimating demand.
Late last year the power company asked FERC to foreclose all opportunities for potential pulse flows for the next 34 years based on these beliefs. AW objected to this request. The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), who had previously responsibly argued for scientific studies and recreational mitigation, sided with the power company without any explanation. When AW sought to formally appeal FERC's decision as unlawful, FERC refused to consider our appeal because of a minor proceedural glitch in our appeal. Earlier this week, AW fixed the glitch, and resubmitted our appeal.
At issue in this case is the basic need to use the best available science to inform rational and transparent decision-making, and the importance of keeping the public involved in river management decisions that last generations. The Saranac River case is in many ways the worst case scenario of relying upon bad information to make bad decisions that in this case threatens to leave a river nearly dry, and virtually impossible to paddle.
The process for restoring some ecological and recreational functions to the Saranac River, and for confirming basic scientific and procedural standards for decision-making, is nearing an end. Following a decade of advocacy, AW's appeal filed this week is likely our last possible request of the FERC to do the right thing for the Saranac, quite possibly other rivers, and the public.
You can read our recent procedural appeal here, which asks FERC to formally re-consider our previously rejected issue-based appeal.
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.
The West River
The West River is a treasured whitewater river that is regulated by the Army Corps of Engineer's Ball Mountain Dam. Spring and fall recreational releases have attracted hundreds of paddlers for over half a century, providing for great social and recreational events, and an econonmic boost to the local community. In recent years however, the spring releases have been cancelled because the dam is not designed to allow salmon to pass during times of water storage in the reservoir (which is required for most releases).
A hydropower developer has proposed the installation of hydropower generation units and a fish passage facility at Ball Mountain Dam. The hydropower project has the potential to fix dam's the fish passage problems and result in better flows for both fish and paddlers, including the restoration of spring releases. However, it appears that the proposed hydropower project fails to meet these objectives - missing a major ecological, recreational, and economic opportunity. American Whitewater, Appalachian Mountain Club, New England FLOW, and the Vermont Paddlers' Club filed comments on the Draft Environmental Assessment for the project seeking additional project benefits.
Read our comments HERE.
The Little River
The Little River is regulated by Waterbury Reservoir, and offers Class I-III whitewater boating opportunities downstream of the hydropower project's powerhouse. American Whitewater and New England FLOW have worked for a decade to secure scheduled recreational releases on the Little River, and have a draft agreement to provide a great release schedule. WIth this said, the relicensing of the hydropower project has been stalled for several years, holding up the releases and other mitigation. Recently, the hydropower project owner requested an amendment to their old license allowing them to install more efficient generators with slightly larger flows.
American Whitewater, New England FLOW, and the Vermont Paddlers' Club recently requested that FERC re-initiate the relicensing process, issue the new license, and then promptly approve the new generators. In this way we hope to promptly secure new recreational releases, more efficient hydropower generation, and the resolution of a stalled dam relicensing process.
Reading the American Whitewater Journal is good ... getting published in it is great! Be the envy of your boating friends by getting a story published in American Whitewater. Deadline for stories on the topics listed below is February 25. At this time, we're looking for stories on any and all of the following:
Back for another issue due to ridiculously low contribution numbers last time on this usually popular topic, Creeking is many things to many boaters. Steep, narrow canyons capture the imaginations of adventurous souls. Add the right amount of water (not much, usually) and they become thrilling, challenging playgrounds not for the faint of heart. If you find yourself drawn to paddling creeks, tell us a favorite story, or, try to explain your addiction. In the past we’ve had many paddlers eager to write about their creeking exploits. Please help us continue to tell great stories on this topic.
Every sport has its legends: Babe Ruth and Ty Cobb in baseball; Bobby Orr, and Gordie Howe in hockey. Whitewater paddling has its own set of pioneers, though they remain less famous than their team sports counterparts. One thing they have in common with the old time greats from other sports is their passion, sense of adventure, and their contribution to our modern sport. Without whitewater pioneers' shoulders to stand on, our contemporary greats would still be learning the mechanics of a forward stroke. AW recognizes the contributions of dozens of incredible paddlers and distinctive personalities and would like to hear from you if you have a story to tell on this topic. We are open to interviews, stories, or first person accounts, so please help us tell these great stories. This topic will remain open throughout 2012, so please take the time to track down a story even if it won't happen before the deadline listed above.
Back by popular demand, Locals' Favorite highlights an AW member's favorite river, run, or playspot. If you've got a gem in your backyard that you wouldn't mind sharing with a few extra friends, write it up. Give us the details of where it is, when it runs, how to get there, and then tell us what's great about your favorite run and why visitors shouldn't miss it. Please include photos (and captions/credits) to help readers understand why you love it.
For the 2012 Journal, we're looking for stories on a variety of topics. Rather than devoting an entire issue to a single topic, we're moving toward a diverse model of features in the Journal, hoping to offer a little bit of something for everyone in each edition. For contributors, what this means is that you have an opportunity to write about a variety of topics more frequently. We're hoping this constitutes a win for our contributors and a win for readers. For more details, or for general submission guidelines, please check out our newly revised Submissions Page.
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 will, if it is implemented, allow more paddling than has been proposed by the Forest Service in prior proposals as soon as March of this year. It will also correct some of the degrading ecological conditions and will employ specific capacities for all visitors. 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. Specifically the proposal would:
The USFS is proposing paddling limits to “provide opportunities for boat-free, coldwater angling and other recreational activities.” In a press conference earlier today, Paul Bradley, forest supervisor for the Francis Marion and Sumter National Forests in South Carolina stated, “Allowing boating in the Nicholson Fields would introduce unacceptable levels of conflict, and that’s something we’ve worked extremely hard to avoid.” The USFS has no evidence of such conflicts on the Chattooga or other similar rivers.
Bradley also noted, “The other forest supervisors and I hope today’s decisions will bring closure to the differences many folks have had over how this precious, valuable resource should be managed.” However, their decision contains all the same violations of law and policy that are now being challenged by conservation-oriented paddlers in federal court.
The USFS expects to be ready to allow paddling no later than mid-March of this year, assuming they do not grant stays of the decision as they did regarding a prior decision.
If implemented, this new policy would allow some legal paddling on the Upper Chattooga River for the first time since it was controversially banned in 1976. These opportunities would be the result of over 15 years of dogged efforts by American Whitewater and the thousands of people that believe Wild and Scenic Rivers – and Wilderness rivers – should be responsibly managed for sustainable recreation and natural resource conservation. This policy will grant American’s some well deserved time on the water while the remaining legal and policy issues are sorted out.
You can read the analysis and press release here.
Salt Lake City, Utah -- The State of Utah has approved two water rights applications for a proposed nuclear power plant near Green River, Utah. The decisions follow more than two years of study.
Local water-rights from Kane County Water Conservancy District and San Juan County Water Conservancy District are being leased to Blue Castle Holdings to provide water from the Green River for nuclear power generation. The request has raised many concerns such as the safety and oversight of nuclear power, local water use interference, wildlife concerns including endangered fishes, over-appropriation of Colorado River water, the economic viability of the project, and the financial ability of Blue Castle to complete the project. Paddlers are expressing concern over potential impacts to iconic western river canyons, and the family oriented trips they provide, such as Labyrinth and Stillwater canyons in Canyonlands National Park.
“We have listened to and very much appreciate the concerns raised by those in the local community and others,” said Kent Jones, State Engineer with the Utah Division of Water Rights. “Those concerns helped us look carefully and critically at the proposal, as we considered the appropriate action on these applications.”
The water rights approval criteria dictated in Utah state law, directs the state engineer to evaluate and investigate applications. An application is statutorily required to be approved if the state engineer believes:
- water is available from the source;
- the proposed use will not impair existing rights or interfere with the more beneficial use of water;
- the project is economically and physically feasible;
- it would not be detrimental to the public welfare;
- the applicant has the financial ability to complete the project; and,
- the application is filed in good faith and not for speculative or monopolistic purposes.
Almost 4.4 million acre-feet of water flows by the city of Green River every year. Blue Castle is seeking 53,600 acre-feet of that water to be allocated for its nuclear power plant project. “That amount of water is not a lot on the Green River,” said Jones. “But it is a significant portion of the water Utah has left to develop on the Colorado River and a significant new diversion from the Green River where efforts are underway to provide habitat for recovery of endangered fish.” Approval of the application does not guarantee sufficient water will always be available from the river to operate the plant. Plant design will need to address the possibility of interruptions in water supply. Nuclear power plants in the United States are developed and licensed for operation by the federal government under the regulation of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), which is charged with promoting the use of nuclear energy to benefit public welfare and protect the radiological health and safety of the public. In pursuing NRC licensing of this project, Blue Castle plans to invest $100 million. Billions of dollars more will be required to construct the facility.
The state engineer’s decision on these applications authorizes the use of water for the plant after NRC approvals for the project are obtained. Prior to any construction, NRC will oversee an exhaustive design process to make certain the proposed site is safe for a nuclear power plant and the National Environmental Protection Act and Endangered Species Act requirements are complied with.
Stay tuned to American Whitewater for updates on the project, and the NRC licensing process.
Interested parties may view a copy of the decisions from the Utah Division of Water Rights website: www.waterrights.utah.gov
The future of the Colorado River below Glen Canyon Dam will be decided in the not so distant future, and your voice is important in shaping the process! If you’ve ever been through the Grand Canyon on the Colorado, hope to in the future, or simply care about the health of this iconic place, these decisions will impact you directly.
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 full list of items is available on our member rewards page.
Big thanks to KEEN, Kokatat, Smith Optics, Watershed and Immersion Research for graciously donating these products to us for this purpose.
Jan. 26, 2012 – Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today signaled the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s intent to issue a new planning rule for America’s 193-million acre National Forest System that seeks to deliver stronger protections for forests, water, and wildlife while supporting the economic vitality of our rural communities, by releasing online a Final Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement (PEIS) for the National Forest System Land Management Planning Rule.
The National Forest System is a haven for outdoor recreationists seeking solace and adventure, and the economic benefit of that recreational use is vital to many communities. Forest plans govern how National Forests are managed and are thus very important in protecting the incomparable places and recreational experiences that American's treasure.
Roughly half of the National Forests in the United States are being managed under plans that are out of date - which can leave the Forest Service and the public out of touch with each other and important issues. Others are in drawn-out planning processes that are prone to end in legal conflicts like the Upper Chattooga paddling ban case. The new planning rule aims to fix these problems by creating a new planning process that is more collaborative, more efficient, and hopefully more appealing to the public. While previous planning rules were overturned by the courts, the Department of Agriculture has sought public support for this plan through soliciting unprecedented public input and dialog at meetings held across the Country.
The previous draft of the new rule, released early last year, was subject to intense scrutiny. American Whitewater and our partners in Outdoor Alliance commented on the draft rule in support of the framework of the rule and many elements of the rule including the new concept of "sustainable recreation." We also sought better recognition of recreational opportunities and settings, a stronger reliance on the best available science, a more equitable appeals process, and more accurate and protective language regarding rivers that are eligible for Wild and Scenic designation. The new proposed rule addresses each of these concerns.
The forest planning process outlined in the new rule will create a cycle of assessments - revisions - and monitoring that is expected to result in better information, more public involvement, and shorter plan revision processes. This should result in fewer surprises for both the Forest Service and the public, and hopefully a forum that is more ripe for partnerships than conflicts. We look forward to working with the paddling community and the US Forest Service on the first plan revisions carried out under the new rules.
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.
Download the American Whitewater Website RFP
Submissions are due by March 12th at midnight ET.
Today, the Columbia Bioregional Education Project (CBEP), joined by several conservation groups including American Whitewater, issued a new economic analysis of Okanogan Public Utility District’s (PUD) proposal to re-start hydropower generation at Enloe Dam on the Similkameen River. The analysis, prepared by Rocky Mountain Econometrics (RME) of Boise, Idaho, 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.
You can download the economic analysis here.
“Okanogan PUD ratepayers are going to take a big hit for this expensive and unprofitable project,” said Jere Gillespie of CBEP. “We are calling on the Okanogan PUD to replace its out-of-date 2008 analysis and provide ratepayers with a realistic evaluation of Enloe Dam economics. We think such an update will show that the dam project is not a wise investment for ratepayers and should be dropped.”
Okanogan PUD has asked the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to issue a license to install turbines at the existing Enloe Dam, which blocks the Similkameen River about four miles west of Oroville, Washington. Originally built in the early 1900’s, Enloe Dam has not generated hydropower since 1958. The current license application, pending with FERC since 2008, is the PUD’s fourth attempt since the mid-1980’s to add power generation to the dam. Previous licensing efforts failed due to poor economics and fish passage issues.
The Rocky Mountain Econometrics report reviewed the economic data provided by Okanogan PUD as part of its August 2008 FERC license application. The RME economic analysis concludes that:
“The negative economics and significant impacts to local tourism make Enloe a poor plan for the utility and for Okanogan ratepayers,” said Rich Bowers, regional coordinator for the Hydropower Reform Coalition. “While forecasts continually change, there is a great difference between today’s economic forecast than in 2008 when the original economic analysis was prepared.”
Okanogan PUD expenditures have been a continuing drain for its ratepayers. On December 2, 2011 the PUD raised retail power rates in order to meet increasing operational expenses. In addition, on December 20, the PUD adopted a budget for 2012 that reveals a five-fold increase in capital expenditures since 2007 (from $5.7 million to $24.5 million), and more than two-fold increase in debt principal and interest for the same period (from $1.6 million to $3.5 million).
“Enloe Dam has not operated for 50 years,” said Rachael Paschal Osborn, with the Center for Environmental Law & Policy. “In the context of its current budget, Okanogan PUD simply cannot afford to sink additional money into a project which will greatly increase rates for Okanogan ratepayers.” The Enloe Dam project has been controversial for both environmental and economic reasons. Of particular concern is the current proposal to bypass virtually all of the river flow into the new turbines, de-watering Similkameen Falls for most of the year. The Falls represent an important cultural/historical resource for Native American Tribes and First Nations in the area. The Falls also represent a viewpoint/terminus for the newly developed Similkameen River Trail, which occupies the abandoned Great Northern Railway rail bed and is to be designated as a segment of the 1,200-mile Pacific Northwest National Scenic Trail, which runs from the continental divide in Montana to Olympic National Park. The tourist draw of the Similkameen River Trail is expected to bring significant revenue to the Oroville area.
“The Similkameen River and its waterfalls have recreational values that will enhance the tourism economy of the Okanogan-Similkameen Valleys. This report shows that de-watering the falls by the dam could cost $516,000 per year in lost tourism value,” said Thomas O’Keefe, Pacific Northwest Stewardship Director for American Whitewater.
Rocky Mountain Econometrics produced the Enloe report on behalf of Hydropower Reform Coalition members Columbia Bioregional Education Project, American Rivers, American Whitewater, Center for Environmental Law & Policy, North Cascades Conservation Council, and the Washington State Chapter of Sierra Club.
For more information about American Whitewater's work on the Similkameen, visit our Similkameen project page. Also see our Similkameen River Page.
Currently underway, the Elwha River restoration project is the biggest dam removal effort in history (see today's progress). While American Whitewater has been proud to play a part in this effort, the real credit goes to the Elwha Tribe and some creative and innovative thinkers in the river conservation community who came up with this "crazy idea" that dam removal would actually be possible.
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. In July 2011 the Governor signed a bill formally initiating the process to construct a dam on one of the continent's largest free-flowing rivers. The state wasted no time in moving things along. On October 27, 2011 Alaska Energy Authority filed their Application for a Preliminary Permit and Additional Information shortly followed by a Notice of Intent that was filed on December 29, 2011. Comments are due on the Preliminary Permit Application are due on January 16th.
The Bureau of Land Management’s Kremmling Field Office (KFO) is currently seeking public comment on the future management of lands within the area. Their draft Resource Management Plan (dRMP) has far-reaching implications for the management of Off-Highway Vehicles, mineral and oil & gas development, grazing, timber, recreation, and much more on Colorado’s rivers and public lands. Your comments will help to shape the future of flows in the Colorado River, and are due January 17th, 2012. The draft RMP is a very large document, and American Whitewater has put together a "dRMP Guide" to help you digest the proposed management actions that affect river-based recreation and river health, including flows on the iconic Upper Colorado River. These comments are being considered in addition to those submitted to the Colorado River Valley Field Office, also due Tuesday, January 17th. For more on getting started, see below!
The Upper Colorado River is the largest supplemental source of water for the cities of Denver, Aurora, Colorado Springs, and eastern Colorado towns and farms. As these demands increase, so does the potential for conflict over how much water is left in the Colorado River system. Current and future water diversions are putting Colorado River flows at risk.
One of the key issues in the management plan includes whether segments of the Upper Colorado River will be found to be Suitable for inclusion in the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System. American Whitewater loves our Wild and Scenic Rivers, but unfortunately a WSR designation can do very little to protect streamflows in the Upper Colorado River.
Since 2007, American Whitewater has been a key stakeholder involved in negotiations with a broad coalition of water suppliers, municipalities and environmental groups seeking to develop a collaborative plan that will allow for future water supplies and protect flows in the river. Together, we’ve developed a Stakeholder Agreement Management Plan that does just that, and we’re pleased to see that the BLM is considering implementing the Stakeholder Agreement as one of their preferred alternatives. It is the most protective of streamflows in the Colorado in the future, and as such, American Whitewater supports this Alternative (Alternative B2).
Here’s a summary of what the dRMP outlines for recreation management on the Upper Colorado River.
- Level of remoteness: Aim for a more remote river corridor in Alternatives B and C; more developed physical setting in Alternative D
- Group size limitations: No group size limitations under Alternatives B and D. Limit commercial group sizes to 25 people, including guides. Private trips may be restricted as well depending on social setting numbers.
- Permit requirements: Require permits under Alternative B (and possibly C) for private users. No permit requirement under Alternative D.
- User fees: generally, may be implemented “as appropriate” under all alternatives. None specifically outlined for Upper Colorado River SRMA.
- Special Recreation Permits: No festivals allowed under Alternative B; no competitive events allowed under Alternative C; permits would be issued for large events under Alternative D.
- Visitor facilities: Some facilities (pit toilets, fire rings and picnic tables) would be removed under Alternative B (and possibly Alternative C); existing facilities would be maintained and new facilities would be built under Alternative D.
While Wild and Scenic is one of the most important aspects of providing comment on the dRMP, there are many other issues that relate to recreation and riparian health in the management plan. These include specially designated areas for recreation (Special Recreation Management Areas [SRMA’s] and Extensive Recreation Management Areas [ERMA’s]) and environmental protection (Areas of Critical Environmental Concern [ACEC’s]). American Whitewater’s guide and summary also outlines these issues, and we encourage you to consider supporting these other management actions that will protect water quality and riparian values throughout the KFO. See the Table of Contents at the beginning of the Guide to locate the specific information you’d like to comment on.
To get started, take a look at our sample comment letter and then dive into our “KFO dRMP Boater Guide.” As much as possible, this brings the key issues that affect recreation and riparian health into plain English and points you in the right direction within the dRMP if you want to dig in a little deeper. It also contains some links to relevant maps that will help you understand the area.
The dRMP can be accessed on the BLM’s KFO website.
Acronym soup got you down? Check out the dRMP’s Acronym Page.
Submit your comments by January 17th, 2012:
By mail:
BLM Kremmling Field Office
P.O. Box 68
2103 E. Park Ave
Kremmling, CO 80459
By e-mail: co_kremmlingrmp@blm.gov
We are pleased to report that members of the Oregon congressional delegation including 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 "Rogue Wilderness Area Expansion Act of 2011" will preserve an economic engine in southwest Oregon that supports local jobs, clean water, wildlife habitat, fishing opportunities, and one of the most spectacular multi-day whitewater trips in the Western United States.
Earlier today the Secretary of the Interior, Ken Salazar, announced a 20-year moratorium on new uranium and other hard rock mining claims on roughly 1-million acres of land surrounding the Grand Canyon.
Paddlers requested that the Secretary do just this in March of 2011 as the federal government formally considered the merits of allowing or prohibiting new mining claims. Our letter can be downloaded from the box to the right of this article. American Whitewater also collaborated with our partners in the Outdoor Alliance to support protections for the Grand Canyon.
New (as well as existing) mining claims could threaten the water quality and quantity of cherished Grand Canyon tributaries like Havasu Creek, Kanab Creek, and the azure Little Colorado River.
We would like to extend a heart-felt thank you to Secretary Salazar, his staff, and the administration for acting as responsible stewards of one of America's most treasured places.
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.
Ticket sales are processed by American Whitewater. You can be confident in the security of your information and that your dollars are going to a good cause. We're proud to see NPFF's long history of success and we're proud to be selected as a worthy recipient of the funds NPFF raises.
Submissions are still being accepted. The video deadline is Jan. 18th and Photos are due by Jan. 27th. For more details see the submissions page.
Finally, American Whitewater will be at NPFF so make sure you stop by and get your membership started/renewed, or just say hey!
If you have not already done so, it is now time to start thinking about multi-day trips for the 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 our permit database for the information and links to agency sites with detailed instructions and applications you can download.
We have updated the database with links to all the best multiday trips in the West with links to information you need to register for a permit. Note that you can always find our permit database by going to the River Info menu on our homepage and selecting Permit Information.
The Bureau of Land Management’s Colorado River Valley Field Office (CRVFO) is currently seeking public comment on the future management of lands within the area. Their draft Resource Management Plan (dRMP) has far-reaching implications for the management of Off-Highway Vehicles, mineral and oil & gas development, grazing, timber, recreation, and much more on Colorado’s rivers and public lands. Your comments will help to shape the future of flows in the Colorado River, and are due January 17th, 2012. The draft RMP is a very large document, and American Whitewater has put together a guide to help you digest the proposed management actions that affect river-based recreation and river health, including flows on the iconic Upper Colorado River.
Wild and Scenic
One of the key issues in the management plan includes whether the Upper Colorado River will be found to be Suitable for inclusion in the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System. No question that American Whitewater loves our Wild and Scenic Rivers, but unfortunately, a WSR designation can do very little to protect streamflows in the Upper Colorado River.
Since 2007, American Whitewater has been a key stakeholder involved in negotiations with a broad coalition of water suppliers, municipalities and environmental groups seeking to develop a collaborative plan that will allow for future water supplies and protect flows in the river. Together, we’ve developed a Stakeholder Group Management Plan that does just that, and we’re pleased to see that the BLM is considering implementing the Stakeholder Agreement as one of their preferred alternatives. It is the most protective of streamflows in the Colorado in the future, and as such, American Whitewater supports this Alternative (Alternative B2).
Other Issues in the dRMP
While Wild and Scenic is one of the most important aspects to provide comment on in the dRMP, there are many other issues that relate to recreation and riparian health in the management plan. These include specially designated areas for recreation (Special Recreation Management Areas [SRMA’s] and Extensive Recreation Management Areas [ERMA’s]) and environmental protection (Areas of Critical Environmental Concern [ACEC’s]). American Whitewater’s guide and summary also outlines these issues. See the Table of Contents at the beginning of both the Guide and the Summary to locate the specific information you’d like to comment on.
To get started, take a look at our Sample Comment Letter and then dive into our “CRVFO RMP Guide.” As much as possible, this Guide brings the key issues that affect recreation and riparian health into plain English and points you in the right direction within the dRMP if you want to dig in a little deeper. It also contains some links to relevant maps that will help you understand the area. If you’d like to sink your teeth in a little more without cracking the actual dRMP, take a look at “CRVFO RMP Summary.” This is a more extensive summary of the dRMP, with more of an “agency speak” tone.
The dRMP can be accessed on the BLM’s CRVFO website.
Acronym soup got you down? Check out the dRMP’s Table of Contents. Scroll down a bit within the document…it’s there!
Management decisions that impact the Colorado River are being considered in both the Colorado River Valley Field Office and the Kremmling Field Office. Comments are also due for the Kremmling Field Office on January 17th. Watch in the coming days for a summary and comment guide on the Kremmling Field Office’s RMP.
Submit your comments by January 17th, 2012
Bureau of Land Management
CO Colorado River Valley Field Office
2300 River Frontage Road
Silt, CO 81652
By e-mail: cormpkg@ttsfo.com
Or using BLM’s online form.
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. According to the DGIF web site says that anyone who wants to access 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. Anyone possessing a valid Virginia hunting, freshwater fishing, or trapping license, or a current Virginia boat registration do not need an Access Permit (in fact, the new permit’s cost is the same as a basic hunting or fishing license). You can purchase permits on-line, though DGIF Customer Service at 1-866-721-6911, or at any license agent located in sporting goods stores and bait shops statewide.
The scope of the rules are not yet clear, but here are some more facts from the DGIF web site: If a boat landing serves public waters such as public rivers or the Chesapeake Bay and it is not on a Wildlife Management Area you do not need an Access Permit. If a public boat landing or launch site is in a WMA or DGIF-owned public fishing lake you will need an Access Permit. Anyone under 17 or who possesses a valid Virginia hunting, freshwater fishing, or trapping license, or a current Virginia boat registration is exempt; in fact, the permit’s cost is the same as a basic hunting or fishing license. If you are paddling through a wildlife management area, you won't need a permit as long as you remain on the water. If you land, you are accessing the property and need an Access Permit
It’s not clear which Virginia rivers are affected, so we’ll need help from paddlers on the ground to learn more. Please notify Charlie Walbridge at ccwalbridge@cs.com if you encounter this sign so we can update our nationwide river database.
For more information, here’s a link: http://www.dgif.virginia.gov/access-permit/.
Update:
BLM Recommends Wild & Scenic River Protection For The San Joaquin River Gorge!
The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is recommending protection of the magnificent San Joaquin River Gorge as a National Wild & Scenic River. The agency’s recommendation is in the Bakersfield BLM Draft Resource Management Plan (DRMP), which is providing management direction for more than 408,000 acres of public land in central California. The Wild & Scenic recommendation for the San Joaquin River Gorge is gutsy given that it defies the intent of several members of Congress and other government agencies to build the proposed Temperance Flat Dam, which would flood the Gorge and destroy its outstanding attributes.
Dam proponents will be mobilizing to oppose the agency’s recommendation for Wild & Scenic protection and its many other conservation-oriented proposals – including protecting all Wilderness Study Areas and other lands with wilderness qualities. Conservationists need to speak out in favor of protecting the Gorge and other sensitive areas in written comments to the BLM. The deadline for public comments in Dec. 9, 2011.
Background
The Bakersfield BLM DRMP not only recommends protection for the San Joaquin River Gorge, it also recommends protection for a segment of the North Fork Kaweah River and identifies several other streams as eligible for protection. Federal law requires the BLM to identify, study, and recommend rivers for potential Wild & Scenic status as part of its planning process. The DRMP also determines the future of more than 39,000 acres of Wilderness Study Areas and other lands with wilderness qualities.
The San Joaquin River Gorge is located upstream of the existing Friant Dam and Millerton Reservoir in the Sierra Nevada foothills northeast of Fresno. The BLM manages about 4,000 acres of public land in and surrounding the Gorge for public recreation, open space, and wildlife habitat. A network of trails in the Gorge provide opportunities to hike, mountain bike, ride horses, view wildflowers, hunt, fish, and camp in some of the most spectacular scenery in the central Sierra foothills. The Gorge is also rich in Native American cultural values.
In the Bakersfield DRMP, the BLM found 5.4 miles of the San Joaquin River Gorge between PG&E’s Kerkhoff Dam and Kerkhoff Powerhouse to be eligible and suitable for Wild & Scenic protection because of the river’s outstandingly remarkable scenic, wildlife, and Native American cultural values. Another five miles of the river downstream of Kerkhoff Powerhouse was also found eligible, but BLM was unable to recommend protection for this lower segment because the Bureau of Reclamation has a legal claim on this segment to allow for possible enlargement of Millerton Reservoir (as an alternative to building Temperance Flat).
The BLM’s Wild & Scenic recommendation for the San Joaquin River Gorge directly defies the intent of several members of Congress from the southern Central Valley and the Bureau of Reclamation to build the Temperance Flat Dam, which in its largest configuration could flood the Gorge all the way up to Kerkhoff Dam. Ironically, the proposed Temperance Flat would not contribute significantly to the state’s water supply since existing storage reservoirs already capture about 98% of the San Joaquin’s annual run-off. Based on 80 years of flow records, the Temperance Flat Dam would only store some water one year out of three. But this hasn’t stopped dam proponents, who hope to convince the taxpayers to pay for this outrageously expensive $3 billion dam.
Whether a river should remain free flowing and undammed is exactly the question the National Wild & Scenic Rivers Act was intended to answer. When it approved the nation’s foremost river conservation law in 1968, Congress explicitly stated its intent of balancing the nation’s existing policy of developing many rivers for their water supply and hydropower potential by adopting a new policy stating that some free flowing rivers with outstanding natural and cultural values should remain undammed and free flowing. In addition to prohibiting dams, the federal lands through which Wild & Scenic Rivers flow are to be managed specifically to protect the free flowing character of the river and its outstanding values.
In addition to recommending protection for the San Joaquin River Gorge, the BLM proposes to protect 2.5 miles of the North Fork Kaweah, as it flows out of Sequoia-Kings Canyon National Park into BLM lands. Unfortunately, the BLM is not recommending protection for eligible segments of the East and Middle Forks of the Kaweah River, even though the National Park Service proposes Wild & Scenic status for upstream segments. Similarly, the BLM is not recommending a 3.2-mile segment of the lower Kern River below Isabella Dam, even though the Forest Service considers another 26 miles of the river on downstream National Forest lands to be eligible. In addition, the draft RMP does not recommend protection for segments of Chimney Creek, South Fork Kern River and the Salinas River.
The Bakersfield RMP considers five different alternatives to manage public lands. Conservationists should support a modified Alternative C, which emphasizes conserving natural and cultural resources, and restoring and maintaining functioning natural ecosystems. In addition to protecting all 31 miles of eligible streams as Wild & Scenic, Alternative C fully protects all 21,140 acres of existing Wilderness Study Areas as well as 17,890 acres of additional land with wilderness characteristics, and more than 108,000 acres as Areas of Critical Environmental Concern. Alternative C also closes to grazing riparian corridors in the San Joaquin River Gorge, along the North Fork Kaweah, South Fork Kern and in other areas of ecological importance. Alternative C should be modified to remove or severely limit grazing on all allotments where livestock grazing has contributed significantly to violation of range health standards.
You can review a the three volume RMP by visiting: http://www.blm.gov/ca/st/en/fo/bakersfield.html
For more information, contact Steve Evans, Wild Rivers Project Consultant for Friends of the River and the California Wilderness Coalition, phone: (916) 708-3155, email: sevans@friendsoftheriver.org.
Take Action!
Send an email today thanking Bakersfield BLM Field Manager Tim Smith supporting the BLM’s recommendation to protect the San Joaquin River Gorge as a National Wild & Scenic River. Urge the BLM to adopt a modified Alternative C, which recommends Wild & Scenic protection for other eligible streams, including the San Joaquin River Gorge, the North, Middle, and East Forks of the Kaweah River, lower Kern River, South Fork Kern River, and Chimney Creek, and fully protects Wilderness Study Areas and other lands with wilderness characteristics. Be sure to email your comments by Dec. 9 deadline.
SAMPLE EMAIL
Mr. Tim Smith
Bakersfield BLM Field Manager
3801 Pegasus Drive
Bakersfield, CA 93308
cacalrmp@blm.gov
Dear Mr. Smith:
Thank you for recommending Wild & Scenic River protection for the San Joaquin River Gorge in the BLM’s Bakersfield Resource Management Plan (RMP). As you know, the Gorge is threatened by the proposed Temperance Flat Dam. Protecting our few remaining free flowing rivers with outstanding values is exactly why Congress passed the National Wild & Scenic Rivers Act and the San Joaquin River Gorge very much deserves federal protection. It simply makes sense to protect the Gorge as a Wild & Scenic River, particularly since the Temperance Flat Dam will cost taxpayers billions of dollars and produce very little additional water supply.
Please adopt a modified Alternative C, which proposes Wild & Scenic protection for all eligible streams, fully protects all Wilderness Study Areas and other lands with wilderness characteristics, and establishes more than 108,000 acres of Areas of Critical Environmental Concern.
Please inform me when a final plan and decision is available. Again, thank you for your courageous stand to protect the San Joaquin River Gorge, the North Fork Kaweah River, and other eligible streams, as well as all wilderness quality lands in the Bakersfield area.
Sincerely,
<name, address>
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 any and all of the following:
Every paddler has a story to tell on this topic—some more interesting than others. Did you accompany an old girlfriend on a “romantic” getaway only to slowly realize she was using you for your shuttle driving? Did you inherit a Grumman in your great-uncle’s will? Were you drawn to the vision of rafters floating down a roadside Class IV run? No matter how quirky, we’d like to hear the story of how you got started in paddling.
Steep, narrow canyons capture the imaginations of adventurous souls. Add the right amount of water (not much, usually) and they become thrilling, challenging playgrounds not for the faint of heart. If you find yourself drawn to paddling creeks, tell us a favorite story, or, try to explain your addiction. We’re looking for stories that focus on what’s great about creeking, so please avoid sending us tales of injury, tragedy, or foolhardy misadventures unless there is some other point to the story.
Ask any kayaker who has ever paddled a canoe and they will tell you just how different it is. Once upon a time canoes were the most common whitewater craft on the water. Today those who paddle them in whitewater share a special kinship, bonded by the choice of something other than the path of least resistance. Current president of the AW Board of Directors, Norwood Scott, one of the most skilled C-1ers in the country is our inspiration for this topic. But enough about him, tell us what canoeing whitewater means to you and why you love it.
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.PacifiCorp released the following statement earlier today:Please be advised that White Salmon River conditions near the Northwestern Lake Bridge and Northwestern Lake Park are changing almost every day. The river has cut it’s bed down approximately 12 feet and this cut continues to move upstream. It has also revealed previously unknown hazards within the river course (see attached picture). The river bank at this location is very steep and not conducive to raft take out. PacifiCorp and JR Merit are monitoring the site and once it looks like the course has stabilized we can assess adjusting the slopes for boater take out. Until then and per PacifiCorp’s Recreation Management Plan that states “River conditions and the former reservoir will be monitored after the dam breach and, if conditions develop that pose a threat to public safety, the boater take-out at the park will be temporarily closed until conditions are deemed safe by JR Merit and PacifiCorp Energy. Notification of closures will be made to the U.S. Forest Service.” PacifiCorp will temporarily close the ramp until further notice. We have notified by phone message Sue Baker of the U.S. Forest Service.American Whitewater continues to work with PacifiCorp and we support this action as a common sense short term measure to protect public safety. Since this access point is the only public access for the lower run downstream of Husum Falls we recommend that paddlers avoid this reach for the time being. PacifiCorp will be reopening this access as soon as possible and hopefully in early spring once things have stabilized a bit. The timeline for developing a more permanent access solution at the Park will likely be in fall 2012.In their Recreational Facilities Plan associated with dam removal PacifiCorp writes:It is expected that Northwestern Park will continue to function in much the same capacity after project removal efforts have been completed. The boat access point will be configured based on final contours in the vicinity of Northwestern Park during the 2012 summer. The purpose for the new boat launch is to provide both take out and launch capability for whitewater boats.You can read the full plan here:http://www.pacificorp.com/content/dam/pacificorp/doc/Energy_Sources/Hydro/Hydro_Licensing/Condit/20110526RecFacilityRemovalImprovementsPlanComplete.pdf
Yosemite National Park is currently seeking your input as they develop alternatives for their 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.
American Whitewater has been actively involved in the Wild and Scenic Planning process with the goal of bringing boating back to Yosemite. In 2010, we took Park Service Staff on a trip down the Merced, allowing them to experience this low-impact method of enjoying the Valley. Since that time, we have provided extensive comments to support the Park as they develop their Wild and Scenic Managment Plan, and suggested guidelines and a framework for managing paddling within the Park. You can learn more about our efforts and read our previous comments on our Yosemite Whitewater Project Page.
While we are extremely pleased to see Yosemite taking steps towards opening the Park's rivers up to boating, we are concerned that the Park will allow boating only on certain stretches but continue to prohibit it on others. Paddling a river is a powerful and widely accepted way of experiencing National Parks, Wilderness Areas, and other federal lands across the country. Paddling is consistent with all other modes of recreation allowed in the Parks, including hiking, backpacking and rock-climbing.
Your comments are important in this process! Yosemite National Park want to hear from you about a number of management issues in the river corridor. The most important question that the Park asks is how they can improve opportunities for direct connection to the values of the river.
Please send an e-mail to yose_planning@nps.gov and tell the Park that they can accomplish this by allowing paddling on the entire length of the Wild and Scenic Merced River! Resource values can be protected by managing high use stretches of the river through a permitting system.
If you'd like to dive into the process a little more, the Park has developed a workbook to help the public assess a variety of park management issues. They also have developed management questions at the end of the workbook for the public to provide their feedback. You can see AW's responses to these questions in the "Documents" box on the upper righthand corner of this page, or see our responses below. AW also has sent a cover letter about the issues, which is also available in the "Documents" box. Thanks for taking the time to comment!
For more general information about the Wild and Scenic Management Plan, visit Yosemite National Park's Merced River Plan page.
================================================================
Ecological and Natural Resource Values
Question: How can we protect and restore free-flowing conditions and hydrologic function?
- Discontinue removing large woody debris from the river in high use areas. Move it only to the extent necessary to allow for recreational passage and preservation of infrastructure.
Opportunities for Direct Connection to River Values
Question: How can we ensure that people have opportunities to experience quality connections to the river in ways that are protective of the river?
- Allow people to recreate on the river and experience this amazing place - from the river! Boating should be allowed on the Wild and Scenic Merced River in its entirety.
Visitor Use Management
Question: If the National Park Service were to expand the existing parking inventory, by how much and at which locations would be appropriate?
- If parking is expanded, it should include areas for boaters to park their vehicles at river access areas.
Question: Would you support bus service along new routes in the park? If there were such services, would you use them? Why or why not?
- Bus service should provide enough room for kayaks, canoes and rafts to be transported.
Question: Would you support remote parking and shuttle services? Why or why not?
- It is preferable that boaters have vehicle access to river access areas. If remote parking and shuttle services are required for park access, they should provide enough room to transport kayaks, canoes and rafts.
Question: If day use vehicular access were to be limited, are day use reservations appropriate?
- Yes. See our comment letter for more information.
Question: Would you support the use of a day use parking/vehicle permit? Does this mean 1) Would you use a day use parking/vehicle permit? OR 2) Would you support a day use parking/vehicle permit system?
- Yes, and we suggest that any permit issued for floating the river also include parking.
Question: What types of recreation are appropriate in the river corridor? What is needed to support these recreation opportunities?
- Boating down the river in a kayak, canoe or raft is an appropriate use of the entire river corridor. Lift the ban, build river access in high use areas, and consider permitted use if need be on reaches that exceed user capacity.
Land Uses and Associated Developments
Question: How can we increase the availability of camping while ensuring that river values are protected?
- Allow overnight camping in selected areas on the river corridor, requiring Leave No Trace practices and zero additional infrastructure.
Segment 1: Merced River Above Nevada Falls
Paddling should be allowed on the entire length of the Wild and Scenic Merced River. Allowing paddling here may improve issue #1 (high encounter rates on Wilderness trails). Some people will be experiencing part of the Merced Wild and Scenic Corridor from the river, reducing the number of people on the trail at any given time. Further, if boaters are allowed to camp in primitive sites along the river using Leave No Trace principles campground use levels may also decline over all. This practice is commonly used on other Wild and Scenic Rivers throughout the country. Paddlers would be subject to the same backcountry permitting requirements as hikers/backpackers. Paddling is a wilderness compliant activity, and opening the river to paddling in this segment and throughout the rest of the Wilderness Area will bring it into compliance with the Wilderness Act.
Segment 2: Yosemite Valley
Regarding issue #18 (Paddling and Floating in Yosemite Valley): We support opening the entire length of the Wild and Scenic Merced River to paddling year-round. However, we support having a permit system on high-use stretches of the river for both private and commercial activity. It should be noted, however, that a variety of factors, including the season, hydrology and weather will limit use in these areas by default. Additionally, in these high use areas, river access points should be built at appropriate locations to prevent erosion and trampling of vegetation. Please see our comment letter for more.
We support a combined version of alternatives 6A and 6B. Large woody debris does not need to be removed to ensure safety on high use reaches of the river. Instead it can be moved in a way that keeps the integrity of the ecological function of the river intact. Movement of LWD in this manner would only be necessary to allow for recreational passage and protection of infrastructure on high use stretches. Further, removal will only be necessary when movement does not accomplish these goals. We do not support using cables around logs in rivers, as it poses an extreme safety hazard. Additionally, we always think that educating visitors about river use is important, regardless of the situation. Boating should be open on the entire length of the river throughout the year. Closures because of LWD, the season or any other reason is unnecessary. The Park can recommend that boaters stay off the river, and flows will likely create seasonal restrictions to paddling conditions on their own, but paddling should not be prohibited.
Regarding Issue #7: Allow primitive overnight camping in selected areas on the river corridor, requiring Leave No Trace practices and zero additional infrastructure. These locations should be designated below the mean high water mark to ensure minimal impact. On other Wild and Scenic Rivers throughout the country, this style of camping is encouraged.
We support alternative 22A, which provides river access at West of Pohono Bridge. This is currently the location with the best river access and provides for the most complete run on the Merced through Yosemite Valley.
Segment 4: El Portal
Boating should be allowed on all stretches of the Wild and Scenic Merced River.
Segments 5, 6, 7 and 8: South Fork Merced River Wawona
Paddling on the South Merced below Wawona is currently allowed. In our view, this provides an an excellent model of how paddling can be managed throughout the park. Paddling is open, there is no management of LWD, there is no specific infrastructure needed for paddlers, and there is no indication that additional management is necessary. This is one of the most popular Class V boating opportunities in the region, and things are working well. As a result, we support management option 31A.
Ecological and Resource Values: Removing large woody debris from rivers is not necessary for boating safety and is excessive management. Instead, LWD can be moved in high use stretches only, and be moved in a way that keeps the integrity of the ecological function of the river intact. Movement of LWD in this manner is only necessary to allow for recreational passage and protection of infrastructure in certain cases on high use reaches. Removal is only necessary in limited cases when movement does not accomplish these goals.
Opportunities for Direct Connection to River Values: Allow paddling on the entire length of the Wild and Scenic Merced River all year long. Resource values should be protected, and where there is high visitor use, it should be managed accordingly.
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. Brookfield Power held the preliminary permit for nearly two years, during which they studied the potential of the site and held exclusive development rights. Brookfield did not note the reason for surrendering the permit
The proposed pump-storage project would have included a dam exceeding 200 feet tall on Little Potlatch Creek, flooding over a mile of the stream, as well as a second storage dam on the palouse prairie far above the Creek. American Whitewater intervened in the project, noting the ecological and recreational values of the Little Potlatch, and recommending a different site be selected for the project that did not needlessly impact a navigable stream.
The Little Potlatch will remain free-flowing!
Legislation to roll back protections under the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act will soon go to the House Floor for a vote. HR 2578 proposes to amend the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act to drown part of California's Merced Wild and Scenic River to allow for the expansion of Lake McClure behind the New Exchequer Dam. If passed, this will be the first time that a Wild and Scenic designation has been eroded to make room for development.
Many of you have already provided comment as this bill moved through Committee Hearings. Now is a good time for a follow-up e-mail or call. And if you haven't been in touch with your Representative, please do so today! 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. Let your representatives know why Wild and Scenic Rivers are important to you!
The National Wild and Scenic Rivers System protects free flowing rivers throughout the country with outstandingly remarkable values. While HR 2578 focuses on the Merced River, it is a slippery slope for all rivers in the Wild and Scenic System. Wild and Scenic Rivers were designated to permanently protect rivers for the sake of future generations.
Find your Representative in the upper righthand corner at www.house.gov.
Learn more about the issues in a previous post on a similar bill.
Since the Wild and Scenic Rivers system was established in 1968, American Whitewater has advocated for the responsible management of these rivers, and worked to protect and preserve the recreational, wildlife, scenic, geologic, historical and cultural values of these special rivers.
Comment Period Open for Glen Canyon Dam Long-Term Experimental and Management Plan
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. The operation of the Dam is directly linked to the health of the Colorado River as it flows through the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area and Grand Canyon National Park. Through developing a Long-Term Experimental and Management Plan Environmental Impact Statement (LTEMP EIS), the agencies will 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.
This is the first time that the operation of Glen Canyon Dam has been evaluated in 15 years. Since 1996, flow experiments have taken place in an effort to redistribute sediment and restore habitat and beaches. An Adaptive Management Working Group has studied these flow experiments, which include high flow studies that began in 2008 and will end in 2012.
The LTEMP EIS will incorporate the information gained from these and other studies to evaluate specific alternatives that can be implemented to minimize the adverse impacts downstream of the dam in the future. The LTEMP EIS will also consider dam operations in the context of climate change and examine whether to establish a recovery program under the Endangered Species Act for endangered fish species.
Input from the public will be combined with information from the Adaptive Management Working Group to inform the future of the operations of the dam. The final findings will impact river health through dam operations over the next 15 to 20 years and it's important that you're involved in the process!
You can help shape what the Bureau of Reclamation and National Park Service consider in their LTEMP EIS. The public comment period is open until December 30, 2011. Public scoping meetings are also being held throughout the west, and we encourage you to attend one in your area.
Tuesday, November 8th, 2011, 6 p.m. - 8 p.m Flagstaff, AZ Radisson Woodlands Hotel 1175 W. Route 66 Flagstaff, AZ 86001
Wednesday, November 9, 2011, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Page, AZ Courtyard Page at Lake Powell 600 Clubhouse Drive, Page, AZ 86040
Tuesday, November 15, 2011, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Salt Lake City, UT Hilton Salt Lake City Center 255 South West Temple, Salt Lake City, UT 84101
Wednesday, November 16, 2011, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Las Vegas, NV Ramada Las Vegas 325 East Flamingo Road, Las Vegas, NV 89169
Thursday, November 17, 2011, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Lakewood, CO Sheraton Denver West Hotel 360 Union Boulevard, Lakewood, CO 80228
You can register for a meeting in your area and learn more about a web-based meeting on November 15th here.
You can learn more about the LTEMP EIS process and how to submit comments at the LTEMP EIS website.
Learn more about the Adaptive Management Program here.
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.
In our Media Kit you'll find all the information you'll need to advertise in the American Whitewater Journal. Sizing, pricing, deadlines and more.
Advertising in the American Whitewater Journal not only helps you reach your customers but it helps support river stewardship. We hope you'll consider advertising with us today.
John L. Berry, whitewater pioneer, died peacefully on Aug. 11th at the age of 86. Berry lived in Bethesda, Maryland and was an outstanding whitewater canoeist and competitor during the 50's and 60's. He began racing in 1956 at the Brandywine Slalom, He was National C-1 and C-2 Champion in 1960-61 and a member of the first US whitewater team, at the 1961 World Championships. What he and his teammates learned there resulted in huge advances in American whitewater sport.
As a member of the Canoe Cruiser's Association of Washington, DC he explored much of the Potomac and Cheat headwaters during the 1950's. He also made several early descents of the Lower Yough. In 1957 he and his long-time C-2 partner Bob Harrigan (In the photo, Harrigan has the stern, Berry the bow) lead a first descent down West Virginia's Cheat Canyon. The trip took two days with Berry solo paddling a half-decked wood-and canvas canoe. In September the pair lead one of the first trips down the New River Gorge, taking three days to go from Thurmond to Fayette Station. During the mid-sixities he also led several trips down a pre-dam Gauley River. He completed one run at very low water but was forced to abort the second run because of high flows.
Dave Kurtz, a long time slalom paddler and coach, writes, "John Berry was one of the paddling leaders that inspired me and others in my group, Explorer Post 32 in State College, PA, to get involved in whitewater and slalom paddling. His participation with Bob Harrigan at the 1961 Worlds moved us to go for it in 1963. At those Worlds we had the C-1 Trio (paddling new C-1 canoes designed by Natan Bernot) of Tom Southworth, Dave Guss, and myself plus the Explorer Post 32 C-2 duo of Hank Yeagley and Les Bechdel along with the C-2Mix duo of Bill Bickham and Barbara Wright. We simply wanted to carry on the start of the Berry-Harrigan exploits. Ten time national kayak champion Eric Evans said, "John was an early icon of the sport in this country and, along with Dan Sullivan, carried an aura about him. He was a gentleman who never hurried, raised his voice, or got rattled. Most impressive to my 14-year-old eyes were his long arms which were ripped. These were a gift from God and I think allowed him to reach over the gunwales on the big boats of his day. John was a key figure in bridging the gap between the Grumman Open Boat era of the 50's to the fiberglass era of the 60's." Olympic Bronze Medalist Jamie McEwan remembers that his first C-1 was a green John Berry boat he found under the Christmas tree when he was 15. He got into it on the living room floor and the rest is history! Other Mid-States Berry Boat paddlers included Bob Burrell and Charlie Walbridge.
In 1970 Berry quit a high-paying finance job and moved from the DC area to Waitsfield, VT. He changed his business name to " Millbrook Boats", because the "Mad River Canoe" was already trademarked. In 1975 Millbrook Boats moved to the Hudson River in Riparius, NY where he created several legendary open canoes: the ME, the Flasher, the Flashback, and the AC/DC. He was active in open canoe slalom racing and his designs revolutionized the sport. Anyone who paddles a whitewater canoe today owes much to his innovations. In 1988 Berry sold the business to John Kazimierczyk, who continues the Millbrook legacy of innovative light-weight designs. A resident of Belchertown, MA since 1989, Berry paddled on the nearby Swift River daily until this past year. His beloved wife of 63 years, Janet Berry, passed away a year ago. He is survived by his three daughters, Katharine L. Berry, Rebecca Berry Creswell, Virginia Berry and son John Berry, Jr., four grandchildren and a great grandson.
(Photos scanned from Canoeing White Water by Randy Carter, published in 1967)
Last week 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.First a Little BackgroundThe Tallulah River was one of the first major hydro relicensing successes AW fought very hard for back in the early 1990’s. Since then it has become a staple of the southeast boating scene releasing water into the class IV and V Tallulah River, flowing through the Tallulah Gore State Park, for three weekends in November and two weekends in April. After years of consistent releases, boating flows were cancelled in the fall of 2007 and the fall of 2008 due to drought. Fall releases in 2010 were cancelled due to damage of the dam gates during a heavy rain event. Spring releases in 2011 seemed to be on track after being rescheduled for May and were then cancelled as work to repair the gates drug on.Below is an excerpt of a letter that GA Power sent to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to inform the commission that the repairs to the dam have not been completed. In the letter GA Power states, "Due to the uncertainty that exists at this time, and the lead time and effort required for the whitewater flows, we consider it prudent to cancel the spring whitewater flows for 2011."
More from GA Power letter to FERC"The repair work on the Tallulah Falls Dam spillway gates has not gone as quickly as we had hoped. This is due partly to weather-related delays and partly due to additional work that had to be done. Considerable work yet remains to be done. The work must be examined and approved by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission prior to resuming normal operation of the Tallulah Falls Dam.â¨â¨Therefore there exists considerable uncertainty as to the date that Tallulah Falls Dam will be operationally able to support the aesthetic flows and whitewater flows through Tallulah Gorge. We recognize that there is very significant effort and considerable lead-time necessary to organize the volunteer force to safely conduct the whitewater flows. We also recognize that the individuals who travel to Tallulah Falls to take part in the whitewater flows do so at considerable expense and commitment of time.â¨â¨ Due to the uncertainty that exists at this time, and the lead time and effort required for the whitewater flows, we consider it prudent to cancel the spring whitewater flows for 2011."The Current SituationRepair work continues and while the dam gates have been rebuilt, they have still not passed federal inspection. This highlights the national issue of aging dam infrastructure that impacts thousands of dams across the country that are reaching a ripe old age, in the case of this dam about the 100 year mark. Repair work continues and at the time of our meeting, GA Power was unable to commit that the work and needed federal inspections would be completed by the fall boating releases of 2011.Meeting OutcomesParticipants in the meeting agreed to a monthly GA Power update that would keep all stakeholders informed of dam repair status. American Whitewater is advocating for an additional release weekend added to spring releases of 2012 to make up for some of the lost opportunity caused by these repairs. While GA Power is comfortable with this request, Tallulah Gorge State Park had some apprehension due to deep budget cuts that have hit the Park and reduced staffing levels.Additional information will be posted to the American Whitewater website as it becomes available.
American Whitewater received notice yesterday that GA Power is canceling May Tallulah boating releases. GA Power first delayed the usual April flows and tentatively moved releases to May due to ongoing repairs of dam gates damaged in August 2010. Below is an excerpt of a letter that GA Power sent to Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to inform the commission that the repairs to the dam have not been completed. In the letter GA Power states, "Due to the uncertainty that exists at this time, and the lead time and effort required for the whitewater flows, we consider it prudent to cancel the spring whitewater flows for 2011."Excerpt from GA Power letter FERC:"The repair work on the Tallulah Falls Dam spillway gates has not gone as quickly as we had hoped. This is due partly to weather-related delays and partly due to additional work that had to be done. Considerable work yet remains to be done. The work must be examined and approved by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission prior to resuming normal operation of the Tallulah Falls Dam.Therefore there exists considerable uncertainty as to the date that Tallulah Falls Dam will be operationally able to support the aesthetic flows and whitewater flows through Tallulah Gorge. We recognize that there is very significant effort and considerable lead time necessary to organize the volunteer force to safely conduct the whitewater flows. We also recognize that the individuals who travel to Tallulah Falls to take part in the whitewater flows do so at considerable expense and commitment of time.Due to the uncertainty that exists at this time, and the lead time and effort required for the whitewater flows, we consider it prudent to cancel the spring whitewater flows for 2011."Background on dam repairs:Back on August 21, 2010 a heavy rainfall occurred in Northeast Georgia that resulted in the lake reaching an elevation at which water was flowing over several dam gates. One of the gates broke in this event and the dam has been under repair for over six months. To download a letter from GA Power to inform FERC of fall 2010 flow cancellation click here.Tallulah Fest May 13-15 presented by BBB paddling is still taking placeGet ready for an outdoor festival thrown by a bunch of kayakers. Tallulah Fest will feature games, camping, live entertainment Friday and Saturday night, kayaking videos presented by John Grace, over $1,000 worth of gear to be raffled away, giveaways, some friendly competition and a whole lot more all located at River Campground in Lakemont, Ga. The Chattooga River is just a few miles away as well as several other great runs nearby if the water is right! All proceeds of Tallulah Fest are being donated to American Whitewater. Check here to find Tallulah Fest details.
Cullowhee, NC - American Whitewater, the leader in conserving and restoring America’s whitewater resources, is proud to announce it has been awarded the highest four-star rating from Charity Navigator, America's premier independent charity evaluator.
Charity Navigator works to advance a more efficient and responsive philanthropic marketplace by evaluating the financial health of over 5,500 of America's largest charities. Ratings reflect the organizational efficiency and organizational capacity examining financial records to evaluate the balance and growth of such things as administrative expenses, fundraising expenses and efficiency, primary revenue growth, program expense growth and working capital ratio.
“Six years of prudent and conservative financial management has returned American Whitewater from the brink of insolvency back in 2004 to a solid fiscal foundation,” said AW President Don Kinser. “We now have the financial strength and resources to expand our stewardship efforts and embark on more ambitious initiatives to fulfill our mission to conserve and restore America’s whitewater resources and enhance opportunities to enjoy them safely.”
To learn more about the work of American Whitewater or discover close-to-home river issues visit AW’s River Stewardship page for the latest campaign news.
Legislation has been proposed to change the boundary of the Merced Wild and Scenic River in order to accommodate raising the New Exchequer dam and the level of Lake McClure in California. The Wild and Scenic Merced River, located in the central Sierra Nevadas, is feeling the pressure to increase the water supply for irrigation for the San Joaquin Valley. The Merced Irrigation District seeks to increase the carrying capacity of Lake McClure behind New Exchequer Dam, which will push reservoir levels into the Wild and Scenic reach of the river.
Congressman Jeff Denham has introduced HR869, which proposes to change the boundary of the Wild and Scenic portion of the Merced River to allow the Merced Irrigation District to elevate Lake McClure’s normal pool and flood control storage elevation from 867 feet to 877 feet. The bill is cosponsored by Congressmen Devin Nunes, Jim Costa, Kevin McCarthy and Dennis Cardoza. The Wild and Scenic Rivers Act was passed in 1968 to protect the free-flowing character and outstandingly remarkable values of our nation’s rivers. If passed, this bill would be the first time in history that Congress has reversed course to allow a reservoir to flood a stretch of the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System.
The Merced River, which begins in Yosemite National Park and flows through the San Joaquin Valley, was designated as a Wild and Scenic River in 1987. The river’s stunning scenery was not untouched by dams when it was designated. Lake McClure was created by the New Exchequre Dam in 1967. The rockfill dam is owned by the Merced Irrigation District and provides water to irrigate 130,000 acres of farmland. Lake McClure currently has a capacity of 1,024,000 acre-feet. Using standard “rules of thumb” for storage to yield ratios, the District’s hoped-for expansion of New Exchequer Dam might increase water supplies by approximately 2% — a small gain that would come at great price to the National Wild & Scenic Rivers System.
Ironically, the debate over how to manage the precious resources within our National Parks began with the damming of Hetch Hetchy Valley in Yosemite in 1913. The Wild and Scenic Rivers Act further serves to protect free-flowing rivers within the Park system and beyond, and changing the boundary of a Wild and Scenic river would unravel the protections we have worked so hard to secure.
We encourage you to let your Senators and Representatives know you oppose HR869! To take action, visit the Friends of the River site: Save the Merced & the National Wild and Scenic Rivers Act
For more on the National Wild & Scenic Rivers Act, visit AW's stewardship site: American Whitewater and the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act
To learn more about the Merced River, visit the Rivers.gov page about the Merced River
The federal agencies have recently updated their maps of all the nation's Wild and Scenic Rivers and in an effort to make this information more accessible to our members and the general public, AW volunteer Alex Zendel has produced a Google Earth layer of Wild and Scenic Rivers based on GIS data available from the federal river management agencies. The map includes the newly designated rivers that were protected with the Omnibus Public Lands Act of 2009 and can be downloaded through the link under Documents to the right.
Using Google Earth you can also view all the rivers in American Whitewater's National Whitewater River Inventory. At the bottom of each of our state pages look for the Google Earth link that allows you to download the .kml file for a state. With this file each of our river pages is represented by a color-coded point indicating current flow conditions. Clicking on the point will take you to the full description of the river on our website. Our ongoing goal is to provide river runners with a more robust understanding of the management guidelines and conservation measures in place for the rivers they enjoy. By integrating the Wild and Scenic River layer with the layer for whitewater rivers you can see how important the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act is for protecting our most treasured whitewater rivers.
Tell the Senate to pass legislation that fully and permanently funds the Land and Water Conservation Fund. Use the Comment Tool on the Outdoor Alliance website Congress is back in session but looking to wrap things up. One of the precious few things embraced by both Democrats and Republicans is legislation to fully and automatically fund Land and Water Conservation Fund at $900 million per year. Every year. The idea behind LWCF is simple--some of the wealth from offshore drilling should be reinvested in conservation and recreation. Land and Water Conservation Fund is one of the most effective funding mechanisms available to expand and improve opportunities for the outdoor recreation community including whitewater paddlers. When we work to secure new access on rivers one of our most important tools is Land and Water Conservation Fund. As one example, when a private landowner was ready to sell their parcel that provided critical access to the White Salmon River (WA) for thousands of paddlers, Land and Water Conservation Fund was used to bring the parcel into public ownership. There are thousands of river access and conservation projects across the country that have been made possible through this funding source affecting many whitewater rivers. A fully and permanently funded Land and Water Conservation Fund means that there will be more resources available to protect the outdoor places we love and make sure they have trails, river access, and backcountry entry points we need to enjoy them. The House of Representatives stepped up and PASSED this legislation on July 30, 2010. Bipartisan support we have for fully funding the Land and Water Conservation Fund separates it from most other proposals and creates a real opportunity to pass legislation before this Congress wraps up its business. Take action and ask your Senators to pass legislation that fully funds Land and Water Conservation Fund before the end of the year!