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Obama Administration Releases “America’s Great Outdoors” Report
The Director’s Eddy A
few months ago, on official ACA business in Hawaii, I met a local
standup paddling (SUP) expert, Big Ed, whose 6’9”, 308 lb frame, at first glance, led me to think he was an NFL lineman not a paddler. Somewhere in the course of our
conversation I explained I was an open boater and had not tried stand-up paddling, but that the ACA was developing SUP course curriculum. I assured him that the ACA had experts designing the curriculum, but Big Ed was eager to test the draft curriculum on me…immediately. Ten minutes later, with my conference business attire in the sand, life vest on and Big Ed’s extra suit duct taped around my waist, out to sea we went. Throughout the rest of the afternoon
there were a lot of hand gestures, words of encouragement, and most importantly, a lot of laughing. After an hour or so of a good SUP workout I felt pretty comfortable on the water and worthy of rookie status. Even with my new skills, I paled in comparison to Big Ed who was able to review pictures on the non-waterproof camera he wore around his neck while riding a four foot wave and steering through reef croppings. But at the end of day, I was proud to
have tried something new on the water and glad I could take a new skill home. Although I haven’t been stand-up paddling on the Rappahannock yet, we are excited the paddling season has arrived in Virginia! The ACA’s national office has
been abuzz with new club initiatives, event coordination and insurance requests. With the change in seasons, you may
have noticed a recent change in the way ACA interacts with you. Our new social-networking friendly website and database will help you connect to local clubs, instructors, paddling groups and boaters posting on the “paddlin’ today, anyone interested?” message board. Local ACA clubs are now able to update the ACA’s Water Trails, a community map and database, with their knowledge and expert insight to help paddlers enjoy all that these waterways have to offer. The idea behind the new website is to
embrace social networking and make it convenient for all boaters to enjoy and have fun on waterways. I encourage you to use the website to
post your paddling pictures, tell us your story and help local clubs update and take ownership of waterways in their backyard. Wade Blackwood Executive Director American Canoe Association
The Obama Administration’s flagship environmental initiative is America’s Great Outdoors, described as an effort to develop a 21st Century Vision for the conservation and recreation agenda. In February, the Administration released its long-awaited report, developed after a series of public listening sessions in 2010. The report places new emphasis on expanding recreation opportunities, particularly for underserved communities. Read more on the AGO website (http://
americasgreatoutdoors.gov/)
EPA Begins Rulemaking to Implement the Clean Boating Act
In 2008, the U.S. Congress passed the Clean Boating Act (CBA) as an amendment to the Clean Water Act (CWA). CBA re- establishes an exemption from CWA permitting requirements for recreational boats. Most of the motorized boating community pushed hard for passage of the law. While it exempts boats from the CWA
permit requirements, CBA also requires the EPA to identify discharges incidental to the normal operation of recreational vessels for which management practices are reasonable and practicable to develop. In March, the EPA announced the beginning of a rulemaking to implement the best management practices requirement of the CBA. It will hold public listening sessions throughout the country during the spring, and issue a proposed rule later this year. The ACA is monitoring because this rulemaking has the possibility of affecting paddlers. You can learn more at the EPA website (
http://water.epa.gov/ lawsregs/ lawsguidance/cwa/vessel/CBA/
about.cfm).
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