Thanks to those to Gave to the Kipawa Legal Defense Fund

Let's recognize Mark Scriver of Liquid Logic for his support in the Kipawa Legal Fundraising draw. The "only" manufacturer to step forward. Certainly this was not the first time they have been involved in supporting our sport. Please consider Liquid Logic when you are looking to move up to a new boat. Now it's our chance to support the manufacturer. Liquid Logic is the only boat manufacturer that came forward and helped with the raffle.

We are very proud that Liquid Logic and other Canadian compagnies like Level Six played a crucial part in the ongoing effort to save the Kipawa.

Other Manufacturers have been great as well.

John Hevesi of H20 donated the paddle for second prize.
Barb Sehn is the Rep for 3rd prize gifts Mysterioso and Jansport.
Aquabound donated the break down paddle for 4th prize.


In the fund raising we had some very generous help.

Jeff allowed us to use his board for all the fundraising.
Liquid Logic and Esprit donated $2,000.00 cash to the legal fund. That is a straight cash donation. Very generous and very hard to beat.
Rob Monti and Les Amis executive give of their TIME which is considerable.
Bobby took on the task of putting a benefit concert together from scratch. No experience, just a desire to make a difference.

Private boaters and clubs came up huge for the cause. Their generosity will help keep the Kipawa safe as well as other Canadian rivers.

There are some people who think "Why should I give" more often than "Why shoudn't I give" Not a big difference but the end result is huge. When you look at the donation list you will find a lot of people who are in the "Why shoudn't I give" camp.

Their actions will improve river access issues for all boaters. Thank you.

Over the years Les Amis/NOLAC have hosted the Kipawa River Rallies aided by the good graces of Scott and Pat Sorensen of the Kipawa River Lodge, which, of course, is our magnificent take-out.

Its worth recognizing some of those other contributors as well for in mustering of the kipawa legal funds we pooled ALL the river preservation monies earned from past festivals.

Nothing raised in the past was ever used for anything other than river preservation. T-shirt Sales, All you can eat fish dinners, fireworks, book sales of the Kipawa Chronicles (in french were also very important).

But we have, in the past received donations of silent auction materials from MEC, Trailhead, Bushtuka, Level Six, Kokotat, I'd like to be able to list them all.

The question now: since I have my soapbox, is "why should members of an NGO like Les Amis, working in the public interest have to resort to silent auctions, raffles, and tshirt sales to protect their rights of navigation and public (all canadians) access to a river like the Kipawa?"

I suppose at the end of the day, if the consultation process truly was consultative, and there was clear indication that what the public (US) said was heard and that reasonable mitigation was established, we'd have gone away quietly. But if a case like access to the sluice at the kipawa is denied for no good reason, then what other rapid could be taken away capriciously using the :

Not legal, (not true)
Not Safe, (not true)
Not significant (not true)

rationale?

And remember, they never let the truth get in the way of their arguments, all the while you are left fighting to receive basic notices, information. The registry cloistered, EA's conducted by people who don't read the information given to them. It goes on and on.

99% of environmental assessments are of the screening type. If they are all done in this slap dash manner, our environment... is sunk.