Fisher's Ford and Boater's rights

[unicorn]

Whoah, it appears as if I've created a monster. Originally I just wanted to understand the laws surrounding a boater being out there. I didn't ever intend for this to denigrate into a debate over one's principally held beliefs concerning landownership. Although to quote a hippy I overheard one afternoon at Tables & Ale "no one can really OWN land, man. You can put up houses, or plant plant trees or even totally fence that s**t off. But it's God's land, and he can take the s**t back anytime he feels like it." (that's not totally verbatim, but close enough for our purposes)

Anyway, as far as the ACC goes, I think we ought to be in decent shape. I think that we can all be respectful of the landowners wishes, and hell, I can take the guy a sixpack or two every so often - especially if it means I can put in and take out right next to the feature.

I do however worry about the situation worsening, especially if a commercial outfitter is running that section of the river now. Even if a few of us "responsible boaters" do try to be as pleasant as possible with the landowners, ask for permission and even bring offerings of beer - that doesn't necessarily mean that some doucher fratboy isn't gonna leave his busch lite cans all over the place and piss off the owner. And then rather than me being - as Bob suggested - "the guy who ruined it for everyone else," we'll have a landowner who just doesn't give a f**k anymore and is hostile to ALL boaters, whether they're the good guys or not.

I guess what we need to do is encourage open and meaningful communication between paddlers and the landowners and try to work together as a team to get a resolution that works for all involved. I do not however, condone just laying down and taking it up the rear without standing up for our rights as boaters. One of the main reasons this organization exists (at least according to the mission statement) is to help resolve access issues. And I could be wrong (wouldn't be the first time) but I don't think that means giving up without a fight.

/my 2¢

[Victor Caballeros]

Your right about having a heart to heart with the land owner to gain easy access. Next time I head out there I might have a heart to heart with him and see how he feels with a sticker on the car for the people that go down there so he knows who we are. It might work it might not? it wouldn't hurt to see either.

[painterbob]

....why don't you all go out as a group and have a sit down with the in hand. to smooth out the bumps

[Fish]

I've been worrying about that situation getting worse for a couple of decades. Bob's probably been worrying longer than me about it. :) While it could still get out of hand someday, there seems to be some reason to hope, since we've had more than 20 years of boaters going there but have been more or less OK, and since newer boaters out there are still worried about the situation. Glad that the "worrying about it" torch is still being passed down, Unicorn - I'll buy you a beer for helping to keep the peace out there.

- Fish

[unicorn]

....why don't you all go out as a group and have a sit down with the in hand. to smooth out the bumps

Good idea Bob. Anyone wanna volunteer? We could head out there some weekday evening and have a powwow of sorts.

Earliest I could do it is next week though.

/Also, I'm kind of an a**hole - or so I've been told by many of my good friends - so anyone who has noticeable diplomatic skills would be most appreciated.

[Cowper]

How about, "hey, we're the landowner relations committee for the ACC, and we would like permission to drive down there and pick up some trash. Oh, by the way, do you mind if we put our boats in the water and play a little bit when we're done?"

[paddledog]

The one piece of info lacking in this discussion is
what set Steve off in the first place.
In the mid eighties, there was a willow tree that hung
out over the wave. As the summer progressed the branches
would hang down and interfere with surfing. SOMEONE.....
who shall remain nameless, was with a group from another
state that proceeded to cut the branches. The stump can still
be seen at certain levels on river right of the wave.
Although we can't put back what has been done,
give him credit for being violated first.

[prophet]

take him a willow tree

and

he'll cry and let you in