Relicensing for Sultan River (WA) begins

The license for the Jackson Hydroelectric Project on the Sultan River expires in 2011 and the Snohomish PUD has announced the start of the relicensing process. The first public meeting will take place on November 4th, 2004.

Sultan Access Restored

This week the City of Everett and Snohomish PUD announced that the Allen Gate, which controls access to Lake Chaplain Road will once again be opened on weekends from the hours of 6 am to 6 pm, starting this Memorial Day weekend.

A bright future for MF Snoqualmie access

King County recently purchased two sites along the Middle Fork of the Snoqualmie River with the goal of improving public access to one of the region’s most important whitewater resources. AW and local affiliates have initiated a planning effort with King County Parks to manage these sites in a manner consistent with the needs of the boating community.

Boater Registration Requirements

Connecticut, Oregon, Washington, and Montana are all considering new registration requirements for canoers and kayakers; and Alaska’s legislature is considering substantive changes to their existing state laws. Here's AW's advice on how to respond.

Washougal River Access Closed

The start of the 2003-2004 paddling season in the Pacific Northwest has seen a change in access to a 3 mile section of the Washougal river located in Southwest Washington known as the Church Run.

MF Snoqualmie Road Paving Project

The Forest Service recently announced their plan to close the Middle Fork Snqualmie Road upstream of Dingford Creek (this will likely occur in fall of 2004). At that time a seasonal gate will also be installed at the Taylor River confluence so the remaining upper portion of the road can be closed off during the winter months.

Wynoochee River Access Update

Washington’s Wynoochee River is a scenic run that flows through the Olympic National Forest and Simpson Resource Company lands. This class I-III whitewater run is enjoyed by kayakers and canoeists and has been for many years.

Senator Cantwell (D-WA) Moves for Wild and Scenic on Upper White Salmon

On Thursday, August 7th, Senator Cantwell (D-WA) will hold a press conference announcing the introduction of legislation to designate approximately 20 miles of the Upper White Salmon River in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest as part of the National Wild and Scenic River System.

Resource Protection, Nooksack Falls

BELLINGHAM, WA—Yesterday, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) released its decision affirming federal jurisdiction for a hydropower project on Nooksack Falls, located on the North Fork Nooksack River in Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie Forest. Conservation groups hailed the order, which would bring greater protections for the river, dependent fish and wildlife, and recreation.

Wild Sky Wilderness Update

As legislative activities drew to a close for 2003, the 106,000 acre Wild Sky Wilderness legislation was approved unanimously by the U.S. Senate. Senators Murray and Cantwell worked hard to make sure that the full Senate considered the Wild Sky Wilderness bill before adjourning for the holiday recess.

Addressing Road Problems in Olympic National Forest

Over the past few years, many of us who enjoy paddling on the Olympic Peninsula have witnessed the slow but steady degradation of the road network. Now that the peak of logging activity has passed with the removal of much of the timber and new requirements to protect spotted owls, we are left with a road network that has seen very little maintenance over the past decade.

Cedar River Landsburg Access Rules

For those who have ventured to Landsburg, where the Issaquah-Hobart road crosses the Cedar River, you may have noticed some changes to the area and to the river. Landsburg is the put-in for 22 miles of class I-II whitewater down to Lake Washington in Renton (AW page). However, the most common take-out is Maple Valley.

New Hydro Projects in the Pacific Northwest

A flurry of recent activity from Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) and private hydro developers has marked the return of micro-hydro projects. Over the past few months FERC has released Final EIS documents recommending construction for projects that were first proposed nearly a decade ago.