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Ohiopyle Falls--Access Updates from American
Whitewater
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Access Update as of August 18, 2008
What follows is an e-mail we got from the Bureau Of State Parks. This is
the long-awaited letter in full. We are now in the process of formulating
our next steps. Since the Bureau is taking this issue public, we will be
asking all paddlers for their help in the weeks and months to follow. Please
keep coming back to this page for additional updates and requests.
Thank You!
"As the 2008 Falls Festival is
quickly approaching, I wanted to provide you with some information on where
the Bureau is on your request for greater access to the falls.
"First the Bureau is offering Commercial Use license to qualified existing
kayak instruction license holders for a pilot license that will provide access
to Ohiopyle Falls. We also plan to hold public meetings this fall to gather
input on a proposed private boater access pilot plan from stakeholders and
users of this valuable resource. Once we receive the feedback from these
meetings, the Bureau of State Parks Management will further discuss any issues
brought forward. We hope to have a decision for the 2009 operating season
by late 2008 or early 2009.
"We appreciate your comments, and your patience on this matter. For additional
information feel free to contact John Hallas, or myself.”
"David L. Barrett
Chief, Park Operations and Maintenance Division
Bureau of State Parks
Rachel Carson State Office Building
P O Box 8551
Harrisburg, PA 17105-8551
Phone: 717-783-3307
Fax: 717-787-8817"
In December 2007 the Ohiopyle Park Manager, John Hallas, submitted a proposal
to the Bureau of State Parks for private and commercial access. Even though
the Park Manager and American Whitewater have been in touch with the Bureau
of State Parks they have not responded to American Whitewater (AW) with a
decision on this proposal. Unfortunately, we have been told verbally that
for 2008 we will not have access to the falls without a special activities
agreement which requires insurance. They have and will grant access to commercial
entities and outfitters who currently have a license with the Park but this
does nothing for private boaters who want access to the Falls without going
through an outfitter. It is our contention along with the Park Manager that
there should be access to private boaters (without insurance) and outfitters
as on the lower Yough.
We have not responded to the Bureau of Parks formally because they have
not formally responded in writing to American Whitewater but we obviously
are not happy. We were led to believe that there would be some limited access
to private boaters in 2008. We have asked for an access timetable for 2009.
Your participation in the Festival is a way of showing the Bureau of Parks
that Falls running is not a stunt, but rather, is a challenging component
of whitewater sport as a whole.
We assure you, we continue to pursue our ultimate goal of unlimited access
and we will never give up on this issue.
Thank you,
The Ohiopyle Falls Access Committee
Mark Singleton - Barry Tuscano - Charlie Walbridge - Barry Adams - John
Lichter - Kevin Colburn