Hatch Work Party
Our resident (work) party expert, Patrick Quigley, has got the first one planned for this Saturday, May 19th at the Hatchery.
START:9:00 AM
END: 1:00PM
(Windsurf: 1:00 – Sunset)
Bring some work gloves and whatever hand tools you think may be useful. Thanks for all the help and we’ll see you out there!
The CGWA Opposes Coal in the Gorge!
After much research and discussion the CGWA has decided to pass a resolution opposing new coal shipments through the Gorge. Check out what we came up with here:
More information on what you can do to help will be available shortly. Please feel free to contact us with any questions or comments.
Greg Stiegel
cgwa@gorge.net
541.386.9225
Also check out these great local organizations that are working hard on coal opposition
Discounted Event Site Parking Passes
Buy your Event Site season parking pass by Friday, May 18th and save $10. Prices will jump up to $50 on the following Monday, May 21. Contact the Port of Hood River for more information and to purchase a pass.
Columbia Riverkeeper Job Openings
Columbia Riverkeeper has several interesting job openings available. They are looking for Gorge locals who care about water quality in our beloved Columbia River. This is an excellent opportunity to work for a great organization. More information can be found on their website here.
Roosevelt Camp Host
Would you like to hang out in sunny Roosevelt, WA this summer and get every one of those epic days out east? Here’s your chance! The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is looking for a camp host for the summer season. For more information and to apply for this volunteer position please contact Park Ranger Amber Tilton at amber.c.tilton@usace.army.mil.
Coal Trains in the Gorge?
Brief Background:
There are currently several proposed coal export terminals throughout Oregon and Washington, primarily in Longview and Bellingham (as well as Coos Bay, Port of St. Helens, Port of Morrow). All proposals would involve shipping coal through the Gorge from the Powder River Basin in Wyoming and Montana. The CGWA is concerned about the potential negative impacts coal trains could have on you, the windsurfers of the Gorge. Here are some links to websites with more information:
Columbia Riverkeeper – Local non-profit in opposition
Friends of the Columbia Gorge – Local non-profit in oposition
BNSF – The Railroad company that owns the track and train operations on the Washington side of the Columbia River
Peabody Energy – The coal company working on the Bellingham proposal
Ambre Energy – the parent company of Millenium Bulk Terminal – working on the Longview/Morrow proposal
What can you do?
We, as an organization, would like to get more information. The proposals are currently in the “scoping” stages, and we want to make sure the Gorge is taken into consideration! Please write letters, e-mails and call the decision making officials. Let them know you are interested and paying attention!
Commissioner Peter Goldmark – Washington Commissioner of Public Lands
1111 Washington St. SE – or – PO Box 47001
Olympia WA 98504
Governor John Kitzhaber
900 Court St. NE
Salem OR 97301
Governor Chris Gregoire
PO Box 40002
Olympia WA 98504
Director Ted Sturdevant
Washington State Department of Ecology
PO Box 47600
Olympia WA 98504
Please feel free to copy and use the following SAMPLE LETTER to print and send to the above recipients.
(INSERT DATE)
Dear ___________________ -
I am writing this letter to ask you to give ample consideration to the affects of coal shipments through the Columbia River Gorge. It is my understanding that the coal transfer terminals proposed in Longview and Bellingham may result in millions of tons of coal being shipped from the Powder River Basin in Wyoming and Montana through the Columbia River Gorge.
As a windsurfer and a member of the recreation community I foresee several significant negative affects if these proposals are fulfilled.
- First, I am concerned about the harmful implications to our air and water quality. I believe it is imperative to have non-biased third party studies completed on these issues as specifically relate to the Gorge. For example, how will the uniquely strong west winds of the Gorge affect uncovered train cars filled with Powder River Basin coal?
- Secondly, I believe it is necessary to examine the increase in train traffic. How many trains will be added to the current train traffic on both sides of the tracks, both in the short and long term? How will this affect wait times for at-grade crossings? Is there a possibility of adding more tracks to accommodate the increase in train traffic? These answers will have a direct impact on river access and thus the flow of water users throughout the Gorge.
- Lastly, please take into consideration the commerce, industry and business that recreation brings to the Gorge. A 2009 study by Tetra Tech, Inc. on the economic impact of windsurfing and kiteboarding predict that these two groups will bring $1.7 – 3.9 million in added value per year to the region. Will coal transportation through the Gorge deteriorate the quality of recreation? Will this in turn disrupt the flow of commerce brought to this area via recreation?
In conclusion, I sent this letter to demonstrate my extreme interest in this issue. Please give the Columbia River Gorge the attention it deserves when examining these proposals. I appreciate your hard work on this issue and hope all affected regions of this proposal are taken into consideration.
Sincerely,
(INSERT NAME)
Hood River Cable Park
As some of you may have heard there is a proposal to build a cable park in Nichols Boat Basin in conjunction with a new hotel in the same area. There is a Planning Commission meeting on the issue at the Hood River City Hall on March 5th at 5:30 PM. This is potentially the last public hearing on the matter if you care to voice an opinion or just gather more information.
Here is a link to the company behind the proposal, Natio Development
Here is a link to an article in the Hood River News
::Ski to Defeat ALS
Check out this video on our friend Fred Noble and help him in his cause to defeat ALS:
There is also an auction for a 7 day heli-skiing trip for this cause. Check out the details here: ALS Heli-Trip Auction
::Board Elections
Do you like what the CGWA does for windsurfing in the Gorge? Would you like to be more involved? Here is your chance!
The CGWA annual board elections are upon us and we are accepting nominations for one more week. Board terms are 2 years and give you the opportunity to have a say in what the CGWA does. If you are interested please e-mail us at cgwa@gorge.net for more information. Feel free to nominate either yourself or a friend you think would be a good fit. Candidate bios and ballots will be sent out by the end of next week, so don’t hesitate.
::New Executive Director
The CGWA has hired a new Executive Director! Greg Stiegel has taken over as of December 1st. We want to thank Katie for all her hard work and wish her the best of luck.
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