[Paddlewise] ACA abandons conservation & advocacy!!!

Paddlers:



This past weekend, at dinner with some environmental group friends, I was
shocked to learn that the ACA (American Canoe Association) has dismantled its
conservation programs and basically abandoned its conservation work
altogether.  One prominent person who was present recounted a conversation
with the ACA Executive Director and described her perspective on natural
resource protection as "truly scary."  I had my doubts if this could really be
true, so I had these characterizations confirmed by someone in the
organization that wishes to remain nameless.



As I understand it, ACA has phased out its water pollution enforcement program
and its work reducing paper mill pollution, it has abandoned its efforts to
protect paddling areas from jet ski use, forced out its Conservation Director
of 10 years, dropped out of a coalition effort to counter the Blue Ribbon
Coalition (an effort it had initiated and lead), has ceased its active support
of wilderness protection, wild and scenic rivers, and its defense of access
rights for self-guided paddlers.  I heard that the ED and President are
phasing out conservation advocacy to curry favor with the motor boating
community and commercial outfitters who support motorized use.  They want ACA
to be primarily a boating education organization.




My family joined ACA because of its good conservation and advocacy work.  We
wanted to support an organization that truly fights for our needs as paddlers.
I am very disappointed with ACA's new direction and will not renew our
membership.  I hope others will similarly register their dissatisfaction.
With enough pressure, maybe we can eventually convince the organization to
reverse course.



Sean
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