Grand Canyon Private Boaters Association is featured in the December 21st issue of High Country News in a lengthy article "Grand Canyon Gridlock" by Alan Kesselheim, who was a participant on member Doug Porter's trip of March 1998 with GCPBA President Tom Martin.
The author outlines historical events that led to the current problems and efforts of the Park to solve them through the ongoing CRMP process. He mentions the ever-lengthening waiting list and high fees that led to the frustration of private boaters and the formation of GCPBA. Kesselheim also quotes Mark Grisham, executive director of Grand Canyon River Outfitters Association, as adamant that commercial outfitter allocation not be cut to help resolve the demand problem faced by private boaters.
Paddle sports is one of the fastest growing segments of recreation. Kesselheim theorizes the potential number of private river runners qualified to run the Grand Canyon at 500,000 or higher, even if only 2% of estimated paddle sports enthusiasts are interested in a Grand Canyon trip.
The author discusses the difference in approach and ambiance between private and commercial trip participants, and the disruptiveness of motors and helicopters in the Canyon.
In a related essay Brad Dimock explains why he recently quit working as a guide in Grand Canyon. He lists increased pressure on guides, the exclusion of the average person who can't afford the $200-$300 per day commercially outfitted trip, the squeezing out of private boaters, the pandering of outfitters to short-trip demand, and the highly motorized nature of the whole experience.
To order a copy of High Country News (Vol. 30, No. 24, December 21, 1998), send $3 to HCN, PO Box 1090, Paonia, CO 81428, call 970-527-4898, or visit their website at www.hcn.org.
gcpba NEWSWIRE is a FREE service to the boating community from the Grand Canyon Private Boaters Association, paid for by our really dedicated members...you can be a member, check out http://www.gcpba.org
Send your e-mail address to gcpba@flagstaff.az.us and we'll add you to the list, tell us to remove you and consider it done.
Scott Silver, Executive Director,
Wild Wilderness
248 NW Wilmington Avenue, Bend OR 97701
Phone (541) 385-5261 E-mail: ssilver@wildwilderness.org