Bow and Stern

1. Message From The President
2. Treasurer’s Report: 05/13/91 - 01/19/92
3. Minutes Of June 18, 1991 Meeting Of The Northern Vermont Canoe Cruisers
4. Minutes Of November 10, 1991 Election Meeting Of The Northern Vermont Canoe Cruisers
5. Summer And Fall Trip Reports
6. Lamoille River: June 30, 19991
7. Otter Creek Day Trip: July 14, 1991

8. White River: July 21, 1991
9. Connecticut River: July 27, 1991
10. Moose River (me)
11. Maine Coast - Ocean Trip: August 10-17,1991
12. Androscoggin River : August 24-25, 1991
13. Dead Creek: September 21, 1991
14. Hudson Gorge : September 21, 1991

15. Conservation Corner
16. Nvcc Telephone Listing, March 1992
17. Who’s Who Who Of The Nvcc
18. Spring Trips Schedule: 1992
19. Nvcc Conservation Policy
20. Join The Club

NB: With the passage of time, a good number of the links embedded in back issues of the Bow and Stern may fail. If you notice any broken links in particular that merit repairing/replacing (and you know the correct URL to which the link should point), please email the webmaster. Thanks!

March 8, 1992

Fellow Paddlers:

We are off to the start of another paddling year with much enthusiasm and excitement. If you check the list of officers and volunteers in the "Who's Who in the NVCCU, you will see only a couple of us old timers and many new names. We have held three executive meetings since elections in November, and these folks are stepping into the operation of the club with great enthusiasm and mutual support. Thanks, it's really appreciated.

Plans for all our usual spring activities are in the works and forming up well. Rob Farley is heading up the Canoe Clinic with help and guidance from past instructors. Look for the details elsewhere in this issue. Tony Shaw is generating a Spring White Water Schedule with all the old favorites as well as some "newly discovered" rivers, with variety provided that will accommodate the varying skill levels and interest of all.

There is always plenty of room for your participation on any of the various committees as well as a few openings for chairpersons (Summer White and Flat Water Trip schedules, Closed Boat clinic, June dinner) so please call and get involved. Our next executive meeting is April 7th at Peter Briggs house where we will start planning summer activities. Everyone is welcome--isn't that right Peter? We hope to see each of you this year, whether it's for the dinner meetings, paddling a river or a lake, helping out on some activity, or just watching the fun.

Have a wonderful paddling year.

Charlie Thompson
President

    GENERAL FUND                                 SAFETY & TRAINING FUND

    Beginning Balance:              $ 320.49     Beginning Balance:              $1026.40

                             <<< TOTAL TREASURY: $1346.89 >>>



    INCOME                                       INCOME
        64 Dues @ $6               $ 384.00          Decal Sales                $    4.50
        49 June Dinners @ 2           98.00          Patch Sales                     2.00
        Misc. Donation                 1.00          Training Manual Sales          32.00


        Total Income               $ 483.00          Total Income               $   38.50


    EXPENSES                                     EXPENSES
        Postage                     $ 270.91         None
        Printing                      273.90
        June Meeting                   76.65
        November Meeting               58.55
        Office Supplies                31.26
        Conservation Comm.             64.38

        Total Expenses              $ 775.65          Total Expenses             $   0.00


    BALANCE                          $ 27.84     BALANCE                         $1064.90

                             <<< TOTAL TREASURY: $1092.74 >>>

Peter M. Briggs
Treasurer, NVCC

The meeting was held at Lake Champlain Boat Club. Vice President Sheri Larsen called the meeting to order. Sheri introduced the Proposed NVCC Conservation Policy and explained the two items, which would be voted upon separately. Peter Briggs moved and Rich Larsen seconded that the balance of the policy be accepted as presented. Discussion on item #7, User Fee: Legislative proposal calls for $25 fee on all craft over 16 feet. $25 fee on both canoe and $30,000 boat is unfair. Word "unfairly" allows us to be in favor of reasonable and appropriate fee VOTE: Unanimously in favor of basic policy.

Action on Item #9 of Proposed Policy: (In favor of "river bills", when specific items are consistent with the interest as noted above, and the overall impact of the bill is not contrary to our goals.) A motion was made and seconded to accept Item #9 as part of the policy. Ray Gonda explained the history and origin: River bills prevent dams, prevent towns from removing gravel from rivers while landowners could; provides possible licensing of gravel removal; gives power to the Agency of Natural Resources to make people clean up rivers they contaminate; possible public trust bill. Sheri voiced opposition: "River bills" - meaning unknown; "impact not contrary to our goals: opens up support for items neutral to our goals. VOTE: Majority opposed and item #9 will not be part of our policy.

Action on the bracketed item in #1 of the rules section: "The ranking available officer (or Chairperson of the Conservation Committee) should be notified before any actions are taken." A motion was made, seconded, and voted in favor to accept the above item as proposed.

Peter Briggs moved to change Item #1 to read "Hydro licensing and relicensing.11 Seconded and voted in favor. The finalized NVCC Conservation Policy is included in this issue of the Bow and Stern.

Nomination committee report, Rich Larsen: Need volunteers, especially new people. Executive meetings are open and all are invited to attend and get involved. A March dinner chairperson is needed.

Canoe school; Rich Larsen reported that all went well. Follow up sessions were held on the Lamoille and worked well. Thanks to all.

Kayak School: Bob Schumacher has 20 people and it is going well.

Ray Gonda moved that NVCC explore Public Trust issues. This was seconded and voted in favor.

Rich Larsen moved that we accept the ACA trip policy and waiver as part of NVCC. Change “WW Canoeing" to just "canoeing" or add "flat water canoeing and tubing". The motion was amended to adopt the policy temporarily until the fall NVCC meeting. The amended motion passed.

Respectfully submitted,

Charlie Thompson, Secretary

The meeting was held at the Community Lutheran Church in South Burlington. The meeting was called together by President Mike Fullerton at 7 pm. The secretary and treasurer gave their reports. The General Fund contains $157.24, Safety and Education $1,026.40. Mike is looking in to incorporating the club. The NVCC is now a member of the Palmetto Paddlers of North Carolina.

Item of legal note: A recent lawsuit brought when a person died from a fall from a raft was dropped because the deceased had signed a waiver prior to the trip.

President: Ray Gonda and Charlie Thompson, Vice President: Mark Willett and Ray Gonda, Treasurer: Peter Briggs, Secretary: Ray Gonda and Sheri Larsen

Elections: See "Who's Who in NVCC” for the election results.

New Business: Rich Larsen moved that the new officers endeavor to keep the spring meeting fun. He suggested that we try to hammer out the more controversial issues in committee. A vote was unanimously in favor.

Meeting adjourned at 8:12 pm.

Respectfully submitted,

Charlie Thompson, Secretary

Lamoille River: June 30, 19991

It was a pleasant day with mixed sun and clouds as we put in downstream of Ithiel Falls, near Johnson. The water was low since it had been the third driest June in history. We saw some wildlife, including one beaver that Art had to fight to keep out of his canoe. The takeout 41, was on Rt. 108 in Jeffersonville. A pleasant trip on a very nice day.

Otter Creek Day Trip: July 14, 1991

We started out with four canoes around 9:00am at the Rt. 73 fishing access, a couple of miles out of Brandon. It was a nice sunny day, kind of breezy at times. Eric and Barb did their bit for the environment by picking up floating bottles and cans. . We ate lunch just out of Leicester Junction and were passed by two canoes with their load of fishermen. A canoe also passed us with three women who were obviously training for the Olympics. We took out at the Salisbury covered bridge around 6:00pm. This stretch of the Otter Creek features tree-lined, steep banks through mostly farmland and the Brandon Swamp. It's a good lazy day trip.

-- Greg Magnant

White River: July 21, 1991

In spite of the forecast of showers and thunderstorms, this fearless group set out to conquer the lower White River. It was a hot muggy day, and with the water very, very low, we had visions of dragging the canoes the entire trip. In fact, we had to walk very little although our river reading skills got a real workout. We had a stop for lunch, with a swim in the clear water, and the great crawfish hunt. Later on we stopped for another swim and watched Andy and Buddy's snake dance as a grass snake that had hitched a ride in their canoe decided to leave.

The weather stayed hot with a hazy sun, and the showers and thunderstorms never did come. A good day to paddle, walk and swim in the White River.

-- George McIntosh

Connecticut River: July 27, 1991

We met at the Hungry Bear in Bradford, VT about 10:30 am, having first spotted a car at Linda's parents farm just above Orford, NH. We put in about 11:00 at the public launch in the Bradford Recreation field, amid town Bicentennial activities.

The river was busier than usual with other canoes and a surprising lack of powerboats. The weather was nearly perfect and we made it a leisurely trip, stopping to pick abundant raspberries and to lunch on a sandy beach. We arrived at the farm about mid-afternoon in plenty of time for a swim in the river and a test ride in Linda's paddleboat.

-- Collie Chambers

Moose River (ME) "Bow Trip": August 7-11, 1991

This was a wilderness trip consisting of Attean Lake (5 miles), a 1-1/4 mile portage to Holeb Pond, out Holeb Stream to the Moose River, and down the Moose River which flows back to Attean Lake, completing the "bow" back to the starting point. The total mileage was 34 miles. The 'bow" had the advantage of eliminating a shuttle, but the value of this was in question after the 1-1/4 mile portage with five days worth of gear! (Call us for our list of "101 things not to bring on a trip with a portage".) The trip was very pleasant (only one day of rain ... make that downpour), the company was wonderful, the wildlife abundant (moose, eagle, herons and other birds and small creatures), the bugs minimal, and the scenery was spectacular, including a view of the whole trip area by making the short hike up Sally Mountain. Beach camping, super meals, evening campfires, and morning swims provided the finishing touches to this very enjoyable trip.

-- Charlie and Marion Thompson

Maine Coast - Ocean Trip: August 10-17,1991

Participants:

Bob and Barbara Schumacher, Richard Hoisington, Ruth Miller and Mitch Fried

Ruth and Mitch joined them on Sunday. We ventured south toward Isle Au Haut, where we were visited by curious seals -- Ruth described them as aquatic puppy dogs. We ventured northeast -into Blue Hill Bay and visited islands with quaint names like Wreck, Sheep and Hall's Half Acre. It's a good idea to join the Maine Island Train Association in order to be able to legally camp on their islands. We traveled west on Wednesday, when we dropped Ruth off in Stonington, and continued into Penobscot Bay. We stayed there until Friday, when we returned to an island near Stonington. On Saturday the 17th we returned to Stonington. It was a great experience to leave civilization for a week.

-- Mitch Fried

Androscoggin River : August 24-25, 1991

The weekend was just about perfect with great weather, good water levels and a great group of paddlers. We paddled Errol a couple of times after setting up our tents, then ran Pontook and found the water level reminiscent of the pre-Pontook dam days. Sunday we repeated the routine, running the Pontook section twice. There were a couple of minor incidents, a broached canoe and an unscheduled swim, but both were overcome with no problems. The weekend was just what an Androscoggin weekend should be.

-- George McIntosh

Dead Creek: September 21, 1991

The weather was beautiful although a bit windy. Three boats took part, paddling north from Rt. 17 into the region of duck blinds before lunch, and south (possibly trespassing?) after lunch. Geese were abundant and we saw marsh hawks, ducks, a bittern, herons and other assorted fowl. The water was shallow in some areas and large fish competed with us for paddling room. At times we floated, isolated from the world by a sea of reeds, as if we were in an endless wilderness, but never were we more than a mile from the highway. This is a great place for nature lovers. It's easy to get to and to get around in. Later in the season when migrations are taking place, the birding should be even better.

-- Mike Fullerton

Hudson Gorge : September 21, 1991

Since the water level had been very low the week before the trip, it seemed doubtful that there would be a trip on the Hudson Gorge on Saturday, but there was some rain during the week and the water level rose to 3.3 feet by Friday. We decided that there was just enough water to make for an enjoyable day of paddling.

We got up early and arrived at the Indian River in time to put in at the start of the "bubble" from the dam release. Although there were a few swims (not me!), we made good time and were able to stay with the "bubble" for the entire trip. The weather was pretty good, cold but sunny, and we had a nice day.

-- Sheri Larsen

The Conservation Committee of the Northern Vermont Canoe Cruisers has grown in nembership due to an increased interest in pursuing paddling related conservation issues. Although the direct and indirect protection/enhancement of the paddling resource has long been a concern to many individual canoeists and kayakers, the formation of an official conservation Committee is relatively new.

A proposed Club Conservation Policy was the result of the Committee's work during the Spring of 1991. This proposal was presented and discussed at the June 1991 meeting. The Conservation Committee's recent efforts have focussed around the following issues:

1. Hydro relicensing - the specific status of current hydro projects
2. Definition of navigable waters - coming up with a workable, realistic definition of a navigabla river or stream
3. Shoreline easements/access of waterways for put-ins and take- outs.
4. Access to high waterline for transient purposes incidental to specific river uses.
5. Right of passage around in-stream obstructions and right-of- use of shoreline areas for specific purposes.

                              Hydro Re-licensing Summary

           Consulting Club            Utility                  Dam Site
           member & river
          ---------------------------------------------------------------
           Bill Gerlack             Central Vermont           Peterson
           LaMoille River           Public Service            Clark's Falls

                                                              Milton
                                                              Fairfax Falls

           Mike Fullerton           Central Vermont           Pierce Mills
           Passumpsic River         Public Service            Gage

                                                              Arnold Falls
                                                              Passumpsic

           Ray Gonda                Central Vermont           Taftsville
           Ottauqueechee River      Public Service

           Ray Gonda                Central Vermont           Cavendish Gorge
           Black River              Public Service

           Ray Gonda                Green Mountain            Essex #19
           Winooski River           Power                    (& ESSEX #1B)

Consultations between representatives of the Club and the utilities have included such canoeists interests as water releases, portage routes, picnic areas and primitive overnight for river travelers. Portage routes been given the most attention by the utilities, followed next by day-use picnic areas. Least attention has been given to overnight camping at suitable locations which would provide access from the water only. Water releases or at least timing of existing releases are of interest only at the Essex #19 site downstream of the IBM plant.

Outstanding Issues:

(1) Overnight camping spots.

(2) Portaqes that are too long such as through the village of Milton on the Lamoille River, and at the Essex #19 site.

(3) Lack of a portage at Cavendish. The portage on the Winooski River around Green Mountain Power's Essex #18 is unacceptable. It requires a cartop from Colchester to Winooski of over two miles. (This project does not have a license and is not being licensed. But it’s the next dam downstream and operates in conjunction with #18. A trail already exists around the north side of this dam. It simply needs to be cleared and marked. The intended floating boom might need to be relocated.) A much shorter portage trail is possible around the Essex #19 which would be just as safe as the current carry.

(4) Discussions concerning water release schedules and levels have not been completed with Green Mountain Power.

 
      President                        Charlie Thompson          878-2536
      Vice President                   Mark Willett              434-4297
      Treasurer                        Peter Briggs              985-8257
      Secretary                        Ray Gonda                 862-6164
      Membership                       Peter Briggs              985-8257
      Spring White Water Schedule      Tony Shaw                 879-1655
      Open Boat Clinic                 Rob Parley                223-6470
      Closed Boat Clinic               open
      Conservation/Water Resources     Rosemary O'Connell        863-0481
      Bow & Stern Editor               Collie Chambers           860-5049
      Safety & Education               Rob Farley                223-6470
      Spring Dinner                    Louise McCarren           425-2375

If you are interested in participating in the Executive or other committees, please call Charlie or any chairperson. We would love to hear your suggestions and get you involved.

  Date       Day          Trip                      Organizer          Telephone      Level

  3/28       Sat          Organizer's Choice        Jim Dunn           899-4151       Int
  3/29       Sun          Huntington River          Mark Willett       434-4297       Int

  4/4        Sat          Canoe School - River      Rob Farley         864-5324       Beg
  4/5        Sun          White River               George McIntosh    644-2134       Beg/Int

  4/11       Sat          Upper Lamoille River      Dave Boedy         862-3383       Int/Adv
             Sat          Local Rivers              Charlie Thompson   878-2536       Beg/Int
  4/12       Sun          Contoocook River (NH)     Adrienne Brown 603-795-2866       Adv
             Sun          Ompompanoosuc River       John King          863-6429       Int

  4/18       Sat          Moose River               Mike Fullerton     456-8701       Int
  4/19       Sun          Lower Lamoille River      Ray Gonda          862-6164       Beg/Int

  4/25-4/26  Sat-Sun      West River Weekend        Ray Gonda          862-6164       Int/Adv

  5/2-5/3    Sat-Sun      Ammonoosuc River (NH)     Peter Alden        863-6585       Int/Adv
             Sat or Sun   Upper Saco River (NH)     Tony Shaw          879-1655       Int/Adv

  5/9        Sat          LowerHudson/Schroon(NY)   Al Roberts         899-4129       Int
  5/10       Sun          E. Br. Sacandaga (NY)     Mike Fullerton     456-8701       Adv

  5/16-5/17  Sat  or Sun  Hudson Gcrge (NY)         Ray Gonda          862-6164       Adv

  5/23       Sat          E. Br. Pemigewasset(NH)   Adrienne Brown 603-795-2866       Adv
  5/24-5/25  Sun or Mon   Hudson Gorge (NY)         Rich Larsen        878-6828       Adv

  5/30-5/31  Sat or Sun   Hudson Gorge (NY)         Sheri Larsen       878-6828       Adv

  6/21       Sun          Dead R. @1800 CFS (ME)    Mike Fullerton     456-8701       Adv

  6/27-6/28  Sat-Sun      Dead @1000-1300 CFS (ME)  Tony Shaw          879-1655       Int/Adv

  7/4-?      Sat-?        Alpine Canyon             Mike Fullerton     456-8701       Int/Adv
                          Snake R. (WY)

NOTES:

1. For information about each trip, contact the trip organizer. All trips are dependent on water level. The scheduled trips are based on "normal" spring-time water levels. The trips listed may be changed or cancelled if the water level is unsuitable.
2. Persons interested in leading an alternative trip on a particular day should contact the trip organizer so information about the trip can be relayed to others.
3. Mark Willett (434-4297) can drop everything to run the Huntington (Int) when it rains hard--and he yearns to do so. Inquiries are welcome.
4. A trip on Southern Vermont Rivers is tentatively scheduled the weekend of 4111-4/12. Contact Bob or Marvie Campbell at 875-2235 for information.
5. Evening trips on the Lower Lamoille River may be held on the following Wednesdays: 4/22, 4/29, 5/6, 5/13. Contact Rich Larsen at 878-6828 for information.

As adopted at the June 18, 1991 NVCC meeting

Protection of paddling resources within Vermont is the highest conservation priority of the Club. We may intervene in legislative and administrative actions that directly affect the availability, affordability, or quality of paddlesport. We also have a legitimate interest, as a Club, in more general issues such as water quality, and scenic and wildlife values--but only to the extent that they have a direct impact upon us and our sport. Although our primary interests lie within Vermont, our involvement may on occasion extend to issues beyond the state's borders.

Examples of actions for which precedent exists:

1. Hydro licensing and relicensing, in favor of portage trails, upstream and downstream put-ins, assessment of whitewater release potential, and assessment of water access camping.
2. In favor of small lakes, or areas of larger lakes.
3. Opposed to streambed alteration where it clearly disturbs existing paddling opportunities.
4. Opposed to dam construction or water diversion which eliminates existing and unique paddling opportunities.
5. In favor of river and lake access points along frequently paddled waters in NY/NE.
6. Opposed to direct pollution of frequently paddled waters.
7. Opposed to user fees or taxes which unfairly burden the paddling community.
8. In favor of scheduled dam releases suitable for recreational whitewater paddling.

The following rules apply:

1. Actions taken on behalf of the Club must conform to Club guidelines and be in the best interests of the Club. The ranking available officer or Chairman of the Conservation Committee should be notified before any actions are taken.
2. Club members who are acting an their own behalf must make it clear that they are acting as individuals, rather than as representatives of the Club, if any chance of confusion exists.
3. Actions must be reported in writing within 'one week to the President and to the Chairperson of the Conservation Committee.
4. The President will review with the Executive Committee any actions which he/she feels may have been inappropriate. The Executive Committee may vote, by simple majority, to restrict individual members from taking future actions in the name of the Club, for a stated period of time, if their behavior warrants this restriction.

Links to current membership and waiver forms appear below, for your convenience...

• Joining for the first time??
  Print and mail in the VPC Member Enrollment Form -- http://www.vtpaddlers.net/join/bymail.pdf

• Renewing member??
  Send $8.00/household, due January 1st to: VPC c/o Rich Larsen, 11 Discovery Rd., Essex Jct., VT 05452.

• Joining the ACA at the VPC-member discount rate??
  Print and mail to ACA the ACA Paddle America Enrollment Form -- http://www.vtpaddlers.net/join/aca.pdf

http://www.vtpaddlers.net/join/waiver_indiv.pdf ()

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