Re: [Paddlewise] The Ocean is Big, Our Impact Bigger

In a message dated 5/4/00 9:20:11 PM !!!First Boot!!!, malisle_at_island.net 
writes:

<< Any advice on how to have plans and policies in place before getting an 
influx of
 paddlers?  Or, if
 this has already been discussed, is there an archive I could check? >>

Several months back there was a thread titled "Ethics of a Tourguide."  It 
contained some discussion of the boom in Paddlesports.  The general consensus 
(from my vantage point) was that we were not having a boom in paddling, but 
merely a perception of a boom in paddling.  I supposed that to mean that the 
waters weren't crowded, just the waters that I wanted to paddle.
Fact is that Paddlesports are booming.  Many newcomers are coming on board 
and for varied reasons (exercise,adventure,spirituallity,profit,etc).  For 
every 100 that start paddling this summer, about 35-40 will be paddling five 
years from now.  With increased popularity, outdoor pursuits become 
profitable for Wall Street, Entrepreneurs, Parks (State and Federal) and 
others. 
Last year was the year of mergers.  The big boys got bigger.  Dagger and 
Perception were bought by the same company (Watermark).  Mad River and 
Wilderness Systems are joined (Confluence) and so are Ocean Kayak and Old 
Town.  And, there are other types of mergers.
Florida and other states are form public/private partnerships to promote 
"Ecotourism" with Paddlesports being one of the buzz words.  Many of these 
ventures appear innocent enough at inception but soon become uncontrollable.  
Florida uses tax dollars to promote the resource which will eventually be 
degraded by overuse and depletion due to development.

 I don't want to bore everyone to death so I'll conclude with this.
I am not saying that concerned people should feel helpless, quite the 
contrary.  Become empowered!  Voice your concerns to whomever will listen and 
hold policymakers accountable for stewardship of OUR public lands (waters).
 
 Bruce McC
  WEO
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