ADVERTISEMENT
The Director’s
Eddy DATA ANIMAL
M
y two-year-old son pointed at me (really pointing at a squirrel behind me) and
said, “data animal”. For a second, thoughts sputtered though my head: pretty astute; yes, I am; no wait, he’s two years old, does he even know what data is?…oh that animal, yes, it’s a squirrel. In the last few years I have morphed into a
data animal—I believe almost everything has good data points, even paddling. Years ago, as a paddler, I was able to simply sign petitions or write letters as an effective way of protecting paddlers’ rights or other issues. However, in today’s climate, as paddlers we
need to be more scientific in our approach to guide change. These days decision makers want to see data and outcome behind issues. We need to have more data available for
policy makers to help guide these decision- makers on important issues. The ACA will need your help. From time to time we may ask you to
complete a quick five- to seven-question survey to understand more about your paddling habits and other areas the national office is tracking. Please take the time to give us information on important isuses at hand. ACA was able to use outdoor recreation and economic data to help induce change in Maryland.
Thumbs Up STATE OF MARYLAND Maryland Bill 797: Passed the House and Senate and is waiting to be signed by the governor into law. Provides an important opportunity
to expand the public’s access to Maryland’s waterways for fishing, canoeing and kayaking—one that can be achieved relatively quickly and at little or no cost. The ACA has helped model 797 on similar efforts in North Carolina, Tennessee and California, as well as Maryland’s pedestrian and bicycling safety accommodations.
Wade Blackwood, ACA, Executive Director Canoe-Kayak-Raft-SUP-Rescue
Thumbs Down U.S. DISTRICT COURT On March 30, 2013, the U.S. District Court rejected American Whitewater, ACA and other boaters’
arguments asking the U.S. Forest Service to allow more boating on the Upper Chattooga.
FAST FACTS
• The U.S.A. spends $420,000,000 annually to mitigate trash
• The top five plastics in marine environments are PET, HDPE, PVC, LDPE, PP
• Nicotine from a cigarette butt is water soluble and affects marine life
• Tobacco products account for 38 percent of litter on road-sides
54 RAPID EARLY SUMMER 2013
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64