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How we got here:
The Arkansas River Management Plan was developed during 1998-2000 and implemented Jan 2001. Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area (AHRA)/Bureau of Land Management in addition to a Citizen's Task Force developed guidelines of use for the Arkansas River corridor. Private and Commercial use capacities were determined for different sections of the river. The data to determine the use capacities was the counting of boats (not people). During the first year of the River Management plan, private boaters exceeded the use capacities in Brown's Canyon which triggered the development of a permitting plan for private boaters. During 2002, AHRA will be counting boats to determine if private boaters truly exceeded the estimated data in 2001. If private boaters exceed those limits, AHRA has stated that private boaters will be permitted (limited access) to Brown's Canyon. Pikes Peak River Runners, a private boater club, became involved after hearing about the issue in December, 2001.
The issue:
The Private Boaters Coalition (and Pikes Peak River Runners + other organizations) is opposed to requiring private boaters to obtain permits to run the Arkansas river including the Brown's Canyon section. Key points are outlined below. See discussion group message for more detailed explanation.
1. Data: The counting criteria: Low water years bring out a lot of private boaters. The counting criteria should be based on an average of low and high water years. People should be counted not boats. People make the impact. Private boaters only make up 9% of total river boaters. Limiting our small percentage does not affect the quality of river experiences.
2. Cost: Permitting systems are expensive. Western river managers say that a permitting system should only be considered after all other options have failed, they also say that permitting systems cost more than forecasted.
3. Safety: Brown's Canyon is a relatively intermediate boating run. Pushing boaters to more difficult sections encourages an increase in risk-taking behavior.
Summary: The Private Boaters Coalition is asking the Colorado State Parks Board to define and study the issues surrounding private boating permitting and suspend any action to implement permitting for private boaters for the duration of the River Management Plan currently in effect. We believe this will allow the river managers and the Citizen’s Task Force the time necessary to create the opportunity to make informed decisions based on more complete data over a more representative and less arbitrary period of observation. We further believe that this period of time can be effectively used to create educational programs to all user groups which will result in less negative impact even while allowing for increased use.
How can you help stop permitting of private boaters on the Arkansas River?
How is the Private Boaters Coalition educating private boaters?
Forming the Private Boaters Coalition website and discussion group.
Educating private boaters on this issue.
Developing a communication plan to bring private boaters together.
Serving as a Private Boaters voice to the Colorado State Parks Board and AHRA.
Representing Private Boaters
The Private Boaters Coalition was formed in April 2002 to educate and inform private boaters about this issue.
Archived News: most recent at top
CTF meeting notes after July 18, 2006 posted on FREE Private Boaters Coalition Discussion Group
July 18, 2006:
CTF meeting notes:
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Discussion about Innertubes: See notes below and additional info posted here. Unbelievable as it may seem but AHRA is counting the commercial rental of innertubes in Salida as private boaters because some innertubes have an inflatable seat and are considered two chambers and are counted as private boaters because of this. Section 3 (Salida to Vallie Bridge) capacities according to the river management plan decreases to 30 boats per day (after July 15 for fish spawning concerns) in this section and at the current rate they will exceed capacities very quickly. Yes, you read this right, a private boater system could be developed on the Arkansas because innertubers (renting from commercial companies) are counted as private boaters. This is a complicated issue. The commercial venture that is renting these innertubes attended the CTF meeting, welcomed the CTF to regulate this activity (Rob declined to go this direction) and saw this as a commercial operation. InnerTrek sees this as a growing activity and wanted guidelines set by AHRA/CTF so that he can tell inntertubers which stretch of river they can run. At the moment, he can’t – that would increase his liability and he suggested to a recent client (taking his 70 yr old grandmother and 7 year old son that the Hecla to Stone Bridge run in innertubes are not a good idea. Again, if they are single innertubes (no butt pillow) they can float where they please without obtaining a permit. Section 3 is a great section for walk/wade anglers, float fishermen and newbie kayakers to learn to boat. To enact a private boater permit system in this section because of this issue is ludicrous. I think many members of the CTF were astounded that ARHA considered innertubers renting boaters from commercial operators as boaters much less private boaters. Steamboat Springs and Pagosa Springs manage this use much differently. Steamboat Springs designates innertubers to particular stretches of river for safety and recreational uses. I’m not sure how Pagosa manages this use but know they didn’t develop a private boater permitting system for this. So… there are so many implications around this that it’s hard to fathom the craziness of this situation. Any suggestions?
See Marshall’s synopsis of the long discussion:
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Request for ideas and summary: I'm writing you to ask for your ideas about a recently surfaced issue here on the Arkansas River that is threatening to drive us to a permit system again. As of late, the rental of Duckies, and now, innertubes, yes, you heard me right, innertubes, are pushing the private boat use numbers thru the ceiling. I have argued unsuccessfully that since the renting of duckies and pool toys is a commercial operation, that these should be considered commercial customers, and count against the commercial allocation, but that argument didn't get far. I as well argued that an innertube isn't a boat, but these tubes that are being rented by a new operation in town are more akin to pool toys, and have 2 chambers, and thusly are considered a boat by AHRA river managers. I then tried to argue that they have no means of maneuvering, i.e.; no paddle and therefore aren't boats either, with the same result. Now, top this all off with places like Canon City where people have been tubing thru town on their own for years, and making a rule that has to apply to the whole river length, and we've a dilemma, which in short time could trigger caps on use, and start the permit system process, which we were able to avoid the last time thru negotiations with the commercials which eventually ended up with an exchange of use. This won't work again, I can guarantee it. Do any of you have any ideas ?? Think outside the box here and be creative, there has to be a way to circumvent this. Please send your comments to info@marshallweldin
g.com
April 14, 2004
ICP summary link
April 1, 2004
CTF meeting notes:
- Outfitters requested that the issue of how to lower the number of outfitters from 59 to 45 be put on the agenda for the next meeting. CTF will add this to the agenda and a subcommittee will be formed to look at the issue.
- In relation to the outfitter reduction proposed above I am asking for your input on the environmental impact of this reduction. Send Christina King bigchief@codenet.net your thoughts. The capacity would not be changed from the recent allotment of 360 commercial boats per day. The question is: How would environmental impacts be affected by a reduction (or not) in the number of outfitters (total capacity would not change)?
- Water forecast- looks very low, most likely 2002 levels
- Angler survey will be distributed this summer to include impact from walk/wade outfitters on general public.
- New CTF members: Private Boater Rep is Mac Smith and Christina King for the Environmental rep. Several returning members include Bill Reeves (landowner), Rod Patch (angler), etc..
- Outfitter training April 22: AHRA requested a LNT volunteer to give a presentation to river guides.
- River Cleanup: May 15th, details to follow. Highly recommended to concentrate efforts in Elephant Rock area where it is really needed.
- Colorado State Parks meetings for strategic work are being held across the state. Visit the website at http://parks.state.co.us/open_house/index.asp to find out more.
- Next CTF meeting is July 22, 2004.
Permitting subcommittee news:
- Urgency to develop plan has decreased but work will continue to have a plan in place if needed in the future.
- AHRA plans to request and evaluate existing software from other permitting systems
- Input (to date) will be summarized and distributed to group.
- Idea was brought up to have signup up sheets at Ruby and Fisherman's to help private boaters self-monitor use. This will not be pursued this summer due to forecasted low flows and likely low private boater use (seen in 2002). However, the goal would be to develop software in the future and test it for at least a year before implementing. This could provide a self monitoring tool for the future.
- Next meeting date to be set after summary is completed.
March 26, 2004
News Release: Colorado State Parks approves increasing private boat capacity in Brown's Canyon
January 18, 2004
AHRA has released the newest Integrated Concept plan and has organized public participation through open houses.
Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area - 01/16/04
The below noted information consists of an Integrated Concept Plan (ICP) to provide assistance in resolving a number of Private Boat and Special Use Agreement issues that have been brought to the attention of Colorado State Parks and the Bureau of Land Management.
Reduction of Commercial Boat Per Day (bpd) Carrying Capacities
Browns Canyon (Section 2 B) – Reduce Commercial Capacity on weekends & holidays from 450 bpd to 360 bpd
Effective Time Period: 05/15 – 09/07
Parkdale (Section 4 B) – Reduce Commercial Capacity on weekends & holidays from 300 bpd to 240 bpd [60 bpd reduction to be available for commercial use in Section 4 B when the Royal Gorge (Section 5) is under a High Water Advisory from AHRA]
Effective Time Period: 05/15 – 09/07
Adjustment of Commercial Launch Window
Numbers (Section 1 C) – Adjust Commercial Launch Window from 8:30 am – 11:00 am to 8:30 am – 2:00 pm
Effective Time Period: 05/15 – 09/07
Increase in Private Boat Per Day (bpd) Carrying Capacities
Browns Canyon (Section 2 B) – Increase Private Capacity on weekends & holidays from 150 bpd to 240 bpd
Effective Time Period: 05/15 – 09/07
Private Boat Permit System
Work with Private Boat Permit Planning Team to establish a working framework for an AHRA Private Boat Permit System
Minimum Fee
Increase Minimum Fee for Special Use Agreements/Boating from the current $400 per year to $2,500 per year
Increase Minimum Fee for Special Use Agreements/Non-Boating from the current $250 per year to $1,000 per year
Minimum Per Client Fee
Establish Minimum Per Client Fee for Special Use Agreements/Boating – 5.25% of Gross with a minimum of $2.00 Per Client (Equivalent to current AHRA Individual Pass Fee)
Agreement Transfer Incentive
$5,000 Agreement Transfer Fee if Boating Agreement is Transferred
$500 Agreement Transfer Fee if Boating Agreement is Retired (Use Transferred)
$5,000 Agreement Transfer Fee to go to $500 when AHRA reaches 45 or less Boating Agreements
$500 Agreement Transfer Fee if Non-Boating Agreement is Transferred
Minimum Operating Requirement
Establish a 3-year Minimum Operating Requirement prior to transfer of Special Use Agreement/Boating
Agreement retired if Minimum Operating Requirement is not executed
3-year Minimum Operating Requirement to be reviewed when AHRA reaches 45 or less Boating Agreements
Public comment can be sent to:
Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area
Attention: Rob White
307 W. Sackett St
Salida, CO 81201
719-539-7289, 719-539-3771(fax)
email: rwhite@ahra.salida.co.us
Colorado State Parks
Attention: Lyle Laverty
1313 Sherman St, Suite 618
Denver, CO 80203
303-866-3203, 303-866-3206(fax)
email: lyle.laverty@state.co.us
OPEN HOUSES
All meetings will be held
from 6 pm until 8 pm on the following dates and locations:
a.. Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2004 Annex Meeting Room, Lake County Public Library, 1115
Harrison Avenue, Leadville;
b.. Thursday, Jan. 22, 2004 Public Room, Community First Bank, 146 G Street,
Salida;
c.. Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2004 BLM Field Office Conference Room, 3170 East Main Street
(Hwy 50), Canon City;
d.. Monday, Feb. 9, 2004 REI Flagship Store, 1416 Platte Street, Denver.
September 17, 2003
A proposal to exchange use (between commercial and private boater use) was presented to the Citizen's Task Force (CTF). The basic premise was that most of the private use in 2003 occurred during a 30 day time period from mid-May to mid-June 2003 (coincided with high water) when commercial capacities were not close to their capacity. Overall the number of boats in Brown's was well below the maximum limits of 60o boats/day (commercial and private combined). Private boaters proposed to temporarily exchange use during this time period with commercial entities to avoid a private boater permitting system in 2004. CTF decided to vote on this proposal at the November 2003 CTF meeting after commercial reps discuss this proposal with rafting companies.
July 14, 2003
Private Boaters have exceeded Brown's Canyon capacities for the season. See more information on the AHRA website.
June 5, 2003
Private boaters exceeded capacities again for a total of 4 dates. We only have one more trigger date before we are faced with a permitting system. See our discussion group for more information.
June 1, 2003
Private boaters exceeded capacities on two dates (Sat and Sun) in Browns Canyon on Memorial weekend. If we exceed three more days, we will be faced with a private boater permitting system in 2004! See our discussion group for more information.
MAY 24, SATURDAY - 169 PRIVATE BOATS
MAY 25, SUNDAY - 172 PRIVATE BOATS
MAY 26, MONDAY (MEMORIAL DAY) - 101 PRIVATE BOATS
We also suggested an idea to outfitters about educating commercial boatmen about late day runs (counting against private boater capacities) and encouraging them to run on weekends instead. Outfitters appear to support the idea.
See the AHRA parks page for more information.
April 19 and 22, 2003
Private Boaters Coalition sponsored a Free slide show on the Middle Fork of the Salmon and a River Etiquette class on the Arkansas.
April 7, 2003
The next CTF meeting is in Pueblo at the Pueblo Board of Water Works, 319 W. Fourth Street April 16, 2003. Finally a Front Range location. Public is welcome at 10:10 am. Click here for more information. (Agenda)
January 23, 2003
AHRA is announcing the opening of almost half of the Citizen's Task Force stakeholder positions. The CTF nomination process document is posted on our discussion database. If you are interested in nominating a private boater representative (or other stakeholder), you can find the form here. Mail the completed form to: AHRA, 307 West Sackett Ave, Salida, CO 81201 or call Rob White if you have questions at 719-539-7289.
Minutes from the January 23, 2003 meeting will be coming soon. For a summary of the meeting you can find out more at our discussion group.
January 15, 2003
Year (2002) in review (Accomplishments):
Developed a communication network (website and our discussion group) with other clubs, private boaters and stakeholders connected to Colorado State Parks and AHRA.
Provided AHRA and Colorado State Parks Board an organization (the Private Boaters Coalition) to focus on for private boater input.
Coordinated a letter writing campaign to the Colorado State Parks board that helped private boaters avoid a permitting system in 2002.
Researched and provided private boater feedback (via our communication network) on Grand Canyon, Gunnison Gorge and Glenwood Canyon to river management agencies.
Participated as volunteers with a Brown's Canyon river cleanup (Colorado Whitewater Association and American Whitewater) effort and a Private Boater Permitting Education campaign with AHRA.
Results: Feedback to AHRA and the CTF has resulted in private boater issues being addressed within river management such as; CTF nomination process documented, communication improved from AHRA and CTF and finally got our private boater issues/ideas on the January 2003 CTF meeting agenda.
Goals for 2003: Improve communication efforts with AHRA and CTF, work within existing administration to avoid private boater permitting systems on the Arkansas, expand the Private Boaters Coalition membership, increase awareness of private boater issues and provide a strong private boater voice to AHRA and other river management agencies within Colorado.
September 7, 2002
Met with Citizens Task Force private boater representatives in Salida. Presented representatives with information gathered from private boaters (from the Private Boater Coalition) and requested that time be dedicated at the next CTF meeting to discuss exceptions and alternatives to the Arkansas River Management plan (for the prevention of a private boater permitting system). Private boater representatives Mike Harvey and PT Wood agreed to request time and discuss these items at the meeting scheduled for December 2002.
September, 2002
Private Boaters Coalition removed the sign at the Ruby Mountain put-in and stored it for the winter to reduce wear and tear. We plan to put the sign back up next season. We received lots of requests for informaiton about the proposed permitting system from private boaters who visited the area and saw the sign. Private boaters do not want a permit system and followed through with letters to AHRA and the Colorado State Parks Board expressing their opinions about permitting private boaters.
The Private Boaters Coalition attended all of the CTF meetings in 2002 , has garnered more than 2000 private boater endorsements of support, traveled to Wash DC to meet with American Whitewater Access Director, participated in the annual Arkansas River Cleanup, volunteered in the private boater education efforts organized by the CTF this summer at Ruby Mountain and Fisherman's Bridge and presented Private Boater Coalition perspectives to the Colorado State Parks Board. We continue to work towards the prevention of a private boater permitting system on the Arkansas.
July 31, 2002
Completed volunteer efforts at education in Brown's Canyon.
May 28, 2002
Activities (since May 1):
Successfully received a grant from Leave No Trace to distribute FREE Western River Corridor booklets to private boaters.
Worked with the AHRA subcommittee to spread the word about the Arkansas River Management plan to private boaters at the river access areas. Includes distributing flyers to private boaters on weekends starting May 1 through the summer.
Traveled to Washington DC to discuss the Private Boater Coalition mission with American Whitewater.
Participated in May 11, 2002 Arkansas River Cleanup on the Arkansas.
April 27, 2002
Sign placed at Ruby Mountain launch site (on private landowners property).
April 7, 2002
Private Boaters Coalition is formed to unite private boaters. A website is launched and a discussion group formed.
Permitting subcommittee news : A private boater permitting system has been postponed until 2003. During the 2002 season, the Colorado State Parks board has directed the Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area (AHRA) to get more accurate private boater data. Notes from January 2002 public permitting meeting.
1. Minutes from Arkansas River Trust: Nov 15, 2001 and Dec 13, 2001
2. Fort Collins meeting minutes Dec 13, 2001 (Scroll to bottom of message and download word doc attachment)
3. Colorado Springs AHRA Notes January 17, 2002
4. Permitting meeting in Salida, January 31, 2002
5. Permitting meeting in Salida, March 6, 2002
6. Most recent sign information for the put-in at Brown's educating boaters to run other sections of the river.
7. Permitting sub-committee meeting in Salida, April 5, 2002
8. Permitting sub-committee meeting in Salida, May 8, 2002
9. Permitting sub-committee meeting in Salida July 17, 2002
10. Permitting sub-committee meeting in Salida March 13, 2003 (10 am) at AHRA office.
11. Permitting sub-committee meeting in Salida Dec 12, 2003 (10 am) at AHRA office.