Georgia Freedom to Float – Access is endangered

Posted on Posted in Announcement

Please go to this URL  to contact Georgia legislators via an automated email system

https://secure.everyaction.com/XFfhIV1z60GmeXTy8Wm9JA2

 

If you live outside of Georgia, but you still paddle in Georgia, then Georgia State Legislators need to hear from you now to

Protect our Freedom to Float!

Several bills are in motion in the Georgia State Legislature that have the intention of limiting where Georgians and our visiting friends, families and tourists are allowed to boat, fish or hunt.

  • HB 1172 seeks to limit our rights to paddle only to rivers and streams that have been declared “Navigable”, based on an 1860s definition of navigability for barge freight.
  • HB 1397 seeks to define the specific list of “Navigable” waterways.
  • And legislators are still making moves to add this legislative language onto other bills as an amendment, making it harder to fight.

Legislators have suggested that paddlers should plan to get permission from every landowner on a “Non-navigable” waterway in order to be allowed to paddle through, and the proposed list of “Navigable” rivers and streams is missing portions of 5 designated water trails including parts of the Yellow River Water Trail, the South River Water Trail, the Upper Chattahoochee River Water Trail, the Coosawattee Watershed Water Trail (including the entire Cartecay River), the Chickamauga Creek Water Trails as well as Ebenezer and Big Cedar Creeks. All of these streams have been used by recreational boaters for decades and they all support small businesses that provide boat and tube rentals and guide services.

Tennessee, North Carolina and South Carolina have all successfully created precedents for a public right of passage on streams capable of supporting small recreational boats. The quality of life for Georgians and the folks from the region who frequently visit Georgia is greatly enhanced by improved access to all of the state’s waterways. Likewise, this access also supports the state’s robust tourism industry.

Please speak up now to help PROTECT OUR FREEDOM TO FLOAT IN GEORGIA!