Chattooga Conservancy's Alternative for Whitewater Boating Above Highway 28

September 13, 2006

The upper Chattooga can support limited boating from the old iron bridge to Highway 28 with the following restrictions:

1. Boating from the Bull Pen Road to Highway 28 should be permitted above 2.8 ft. Conflict between fishermen and boaters would not occur above 2.8 ft. since fishing at or above 2.8 ft. is not practical. Below 2.8 ft. boating becomes marginal (AWA website recommends optimum levels of 2.6 ft. to 4.0 ft.).
2. Group size and number of groups should be regulated to limit impact on other groups, such as hikers, etc. We suggest 4 groups per day with no more than 4 to 6 individuals per group, per Appendix H, Sumter National Forest Land and Resource Management Plan, 2004.

   Why are boaters limited and not hikers and fishermen? Creek boating has really increased in the last 10 years while all other use has slightly increased or remained level. Fishermen are regulated by creel limits and hikers are limited by access.

3. Down and woody debris should not be removed in those sections of the headwaters above the Highway 28 bridge.
4. There should be no new access roads and trails in the headwaters.
5. Boating should not be permitted from Grimshaws Bridge to the old iron bridge because of the potential conflict with private landowners.
6. The Forest Service should commit to a high standard of enforcement regarding the restrictions as stated above.