Join IWA!! download the IWA_application.doc from here and send it in!

January Jump Start:
     If you missed this meeting, you really missed the jump-start for the
River Season!!   Sheri Hughes (U.S. Forest Service, Bill Hagdorn, BLM, Mary
Lucachick, IDP&R, and Bill Sedivy, IRU, gave us a four-part "Full Meal Deal"
on what agencies are doing or have in store.

    Got your four rivers permit application all filled out and ready to send
in? There is a lot of new statistics in the application package. Studying it
carefully might get you the edge you need to get a permit. You know those
four date choices you always put down for the Middle Fork or the Selway? The
third and fourth ones were a waste of ink no one ever gets them.  You are
probably better off putting in for three or four different rivers and dates.
Remember you don¹t compete against the 14,526 other people who put in an
application, only against those people who want the same date as you be it 5
or 50. If you applied for and didn¹t get a permit, but want an after season
float permit you don¹t have to pay another $6 application fee.

     Did you fill in the river and dates you wanted to apply for? "A lot of
people didn¹t" according to Sheri (Middle Fork Ranger District). These
underpaid government workers go to great pains to make sure that they enter
your data correctly. Data entered each day gets proofed at the end of the
day. Here¹s how many applications are in as of January 17, 2002:
      Middle Fork-2390
      Main-800
      Selway 300
      Hells Canyon-180

Here¹s what they normally receive by the end of January:
     Middle Fork-9000+
     Main-2500+
     Selway-1000+
     Hells Canyon-3000+

The backlog of trying to get all these last minute applications into the
system will take about two weeks after the closing date, if all goes well.
This does not include the multitude of applications they will send back that
don't make the deadline.

    Going to fax your application in? You may have to camp out at the fax
machine, because that is what everyone may try to do also. They only have
one fax machine at each place. If you mail it in, did you read the postal
warning in the application, be sure to have the exact postage and a return
address. The Pres took his to the post office and had it weighed and franked
(no stamps).

      Sorry!  No high probability of applying "on-line" in the near future.
Just Cross Your Fingers that the "Powers That Be" figure out a better
lottery system in the future and let the local agencies handle it!

    Bill Hagdorn shared the list of future (2002) improvements on the
Payette. This is one place you can see you user fees at work. Some of the
highlights include increased overall maintenance at the access points,
asphalt paving at the Chief Parrish and Parnell Beach access and a new ramp,
stairs and fencing replacement at Banks.  Hooray!

      Do you want to get in on a deal? Idaho Department of Parks and
Recreation¹s VIP Pass is priced right this year, according to the
Department¹s Mary Lucachick. At $49 you can get river access to the fee demo
rivers and all the state parks for this one low fee. So, if you frequent all
of these types of places it is a good deal for you.

     We dragged Idaho BLM¹s Judy Zuckert and Oregon BLM¹s Bunny out of the
audience to explain the impending revisions to the Owyhee/Bruneau River
Guide. The Greeley bar campsite on the lower Owyhee is showing heavy use and
BLM may restrict camping there. They also caution early season boaters to
try and carry their own firewood. A lot of live saplings are being pulled up
or broken off and used for firewood. They may appear dead but are winter
dormant.

       Bill Sedivy, Idaho Rivers United Executive Director and staff are
keeping tabs on a number of Hydro relicensing applications around the state.
Because of the well-advertised energy crunch, the number of new dam
proposals are keeping them busy. They are hot on the chase and will keep all
of us updated in case they need our help in protecting Idaho¹s whitewater
resources (IWA¹s Mission).  The Good News is that Idaho Rivers United
continues to be Idaho¹s own voice for rivers, fish and communities that
depend on them.  With over 2400 members, they are as strong as ever.

Notes From The Pres

    Mike sez:  Rumor has it the float boat registration bill proposed by a
bunch of jet boaters last year and killed by the State House Transportation
Committee will resurface in this legislative session. The sponsors of this
bill are trying to sneak it through without input from the float boating
community. Last years bill, if passed,  would have cost every Idaho float
boater, with a boat seven feet or greater in length, $13 per boat, up to 5
boats, and $5 for every boat thereafter per year. The owner of a jet boat
would only have to pay $13 per year. This bill if enacted would cost me $52
per year. I own two catarafts, an IK and a kayak. Float boat owners would
also be required to have an identification sticker affixed to their boat,
that has to be legible at all times and carry a certificate of registration
and have it available for inspection at all times. Some of you hardcore
boaters would probably have to by new sticker several times each season at
$3 each to stay in compliance. The manufacturers decal on my kayak didn¹t
last the first season. The bill that was presented did not mention what the
money collected would be used for.

      Be pro-active contact your legislator and ask them to watch for and
vote to kill any bill presented that would require float boat registration.
The bill would most likely come up in the House Transportation or Resource
and Conservation committees or possibly in the Senate Resources and
Environment Committee.

       Contact your legislator!       Go out onto the web at the State¹s
website:  http://www2.state.id.us/legislat/legislat.html.

     Look under legislative districts to find out who your legislator is.
Instructions on how to e-mail your legislator can be found at the bottom of
the page. You can snail-mail them at:

Idaho State Legislature
State Capitol Building
P.O. Box 83720
Boise, Idaho 83720-0054

You can also call and leave a message for your legislator by phone (800)
626-0471 or fax a note to them at (208) 334-5397. Be sure to have your name
and phone number on the fax or it won¹t get delivered. Most legislators will
send you a note acknowledging your concerns and even letting you know what
happened. If legislation does come up and they help to kill it, be sure to
send them a thank you note.

Gear Tips

       Wildwasser has put together a great small profile z-drag system that
is easy to use and complete with carrying pouch a diagram of how to set it
up.  All you need is a rope. This system is so compact it will easily fit in
a Kayak. You won't need jumars, Gibbs ascenders or have to fumble with
prussic knots with this outfit. Check it out next time you are at your local
Whitewater Shop.

      Personal throw ropes are becoming mainstream. You wear it like a belt
so it is always with you. Look for one that has a bag that easily pulls
loose from the belt to be thrown. Ever been out scouting a rapid and had
some fall in and need rescuing or miss the eddy and find themselves in need
of a rope. With some models you have to throw belt and all and the buckle
might hurt someone if you can throw with any accuracy, but hey with some
people that's what it might take to get their attention, that throw rope is
available.

    When considering how much to spend for a helmet, ask yourself "How much
is my head worth?"

Payette River Work Group and Fee Demo Project

    John Strange and Jeri Rose attended the Payette River Work Group on the
Fee Demonstration Project in December as the representatives of the Idaho
Whitewater Association.  The purpose of that group is to discuss and
prioritize projects to be implemented using the funds generated by the Fee
Demonstration Project.  Members of the group include representatives from
the various governmental entities involved in river management issues and
other groups interested in how the money is spent.  Bill Hagdorn reported on
the proposals and prioritization as part of our January IWA meeting.

    As you will recall, the fee demo was instituted several years ago on
portions of the Payette system, and the demo has now been extended until
2004.  An integral part of the fee demo program is that the funds generated
are funneled back into projects that benefit the affected.

    However, should the fee program ever be moved from a demo project to a
permanent project, the funds will no longer be dedicated to the local area,
so it is in our best interests to keep this program in the fee demo
category.  IWA will continue to monitor and provide input on the fee demo
project and report back to the members.

Help Wanted:
IWA President

     Mike Cooper  has done a great job as President of the Idaho Whitewater
Association during the past year.  In addition to the very successful Used
Equipment Sale, it was also due in large part to Mike¹s efforts at the
legislature in 2000 that the proposed legislation to require registration of
float boats was squelched.  Mike also arranged for the Association to bring
in a great speaker from American Whitewater to talk about river safety, put
on an exceptional slide show on the Tatshenshini for the December meeting,
arranged to have all the "people in the know" at the January meeting to talk
about permits, fee demos, legislation and other issues that affect the
members of IWA, and is busy putting together a safety seminar for April.
Wow!  He has certainly been one busy guy!  Too bad he has decided not to
remain on as IWA President for another year.

Jeri Rose:  Future Board member, "yes,"
president, "no"

    As promised last time, we are featuring each of the current Board
Members willing to run again.  This month it is Jeri Rose, who we claimed
was willing to be the Pres.  She sez:
   "The article in last month¹s newsletter about my Œwillingness¹ to
succeed Mike Cooper as President of IWA at the end of his term was perhaps a
tad overenthusiastic.  Shortly after last year¹s annual meeting, a proposal
was presented to your Board to outline the duties and responsibilities of
the various officers.  Included in the proposal was the suggestion that the
Vice-President would be the President-Elect.  However, since I wisely did
not miss any meetings of the Board, that proposal was never voted on!!!!
That means the office of President is definitely up for grabs, and I would
be more than delighted if another member were willing to take over the helm
of our illustrious Association.  SO, if you are interested (or know someone
who is interested) in serving as an officer or director of IWA, please
notify any of the Board Members no later than March 15, 2002."

    Now the scoop about Jeri is that she has been a native Idahoan since she
was 4 and loves the State of Idaho and its rivers.  She has been lucky
enough to float the Owyhee, Bruneau, most of the Payette and visited the
Green and the Rogue.  Jeri is partnered up with Board Member John Strange,
shares his two great children and 2-year-old granddaughter.  Jeri¹s day job
has been to keep lawyers at  various large Boise firms organized (legal
secretary you know!).  Over her 10+ years with IWA, Jeri has seen a
significant decline in member participation.  She hopes we can have more
member involvement and sees an important focus to be development of the
Association as a forum for boaters getting together to float various rivers,
developing friendships as well as educating members and public alike.

Money Talks

    Treasurer, Mel Johnson reports that we ¹re indeed "money-wise":
    Savings:        406.12
    Checking:        246.51
    CDs                           7,000.00
    Interest!         34.74
    Looks like the decision to move money over into the CD¹s was a wise
choice.  It may not seem much increase but over time it will make a
difference!
Membership, Dues and Other Funkie Stuff:
 
   IWA Secretary Susan Wildwood reports that our membership dues are
trickling in.  PLEASE get your dues in.   If you don¹t know if you are
caught up, call Susan at 383-0390 and she will be able to tell you if you
are behind or ahead.

Board of Directors:

Mike Cooper, Pres.      362-5344
Jeri Rose, Vice Pres.      342-4305
Mel Johnson, Treas.      343-0970
Susan Wildwood, Sec.     383-0390
Ed Crampton          939-4440
Dan Skinner          343-7481
John Strange          342-4305

iwa@peoplepc.com or
lattaslaw@home.com
 
 

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