GoPullSomeWater

Since we are an ACA affilated group, everyone who is on the ACA e-mail list has probably already seen this, bu ton th eoff chance that someone hasn't here it is. If this notice is inappropriate for the message board I appologize, please feel free to cast it aside. The following is the text of the ACA alert: ACA Action Alert! March 1, 2007 A Call to Action from the American Canoe Association Call, Write or Email Your Senator to Support the Land and Water Conservation Fund! Your action is needed TODAY in support of this very important, non-partisan opportunity. What is the Land and Water Conservation Fund and what does it have to do with paddling? The Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) was created in 1964 to secure more open space and enhance outdoor recreation for Americans. There are two parts to the Fund, the federal part and the state part. The federal part helps federal agencies like the National Park Service, USFS and BLM acquire land to be part of their systems (many of which offer prime outdoor recreation and paddling opportunities). The state part helps state government develop their outdoor recreation and open space resources (like a trail to the put-in of your favorite local run). To learn about how much LWCF money has been spent in your state, click here . To view a detailed list of the LWCF projects in your state, follow this link and select your state. Why Does the Fund Need Support from YOU? Though the Fund automatically gets hundreds of millions of dollars in royalty fees that energy companies pay to the government, the money only goes to open space and outdoor recreation if the President asks for it and Congress decides to spend it! This year, the President asked for an outrageous amount of money for the Fund's state program -- $0. Luckily, a couple of Senators (Ken Salazar, a Democrat from Colorado and Susan Collins, a Republican from Maine) are coming to the rescue by trying to rally the Senate to change the $0 to $125 million. Senators listen to each other, but they listen the most to the people that put them in office - people like YOU. Take Action: 1) Go to http://www.senate.gov and identify your TWO senators. 2) Click through to their websites. 3) Send them an email, or give them a call and ask them to support the "Salazar-Collins LWCF Dear Colleague Letter." Click here see a copy of their cover letter. 4) Be sure to tell them that as a paddler you value open space and outdoor recreation opportunities in your great state. 5) Encourage your paddling friends (and climbing, hiking, mountain biking and skiing friends for that matter) to weigh-in with their Senators too. 6) Sit-back, put your feet up and feel good that you are helping make democracy work for canoeing, kayaking and rafting! Extra Credit: Contact ACA's Director of Stewardship and Public Policy Paul Sanford to let us know what you did. THANK YOU

Kevin: Thanks for the pointer. Things are well but life has kept me off the water since the end of October. Hit some rolls in teh Annisquam over the weekend but the water is getting a bit chill. Hope to see you on the water somewhere soon. Bob

Bob I'm intersted in the January session, and might be available to spot at some of the others. I'm in my first season with the club and haven't done a pool session with the club before. What info do you need, how much does it cost, and where is the pool? Thanks in advance Bob Milgate (milgateb@yahoo.com)

Kevin: Not yet a member, checks in the mail as the saying goes, but if you are still looking for another body please e-mail me with teh details, I will be there. Bob Milgate bmilgate@adelphia.net