there have been some interesting ways of stating wants but let's try to ex[and the discussion so that as we organize our (paddler) position here we can be the smartest, most well prepared, considerate, conscientious and well comported group/subculture in this little mix-up( I say mix-up because we are not fighting anyone here, we are coming together with dam operators/decision makers, anglers,paddlers, etc. to improve the situation). We have to do things right as a team or we will Fuk it all up.

NO MORE SPLINTERING!!@!!

WE HAVE to come up with a unified position or we risk much that we all love.

Here is a little view point.

Let's start from the bottom and keep it brief.
The Green is a River.
The most important "user group" is the wildlife(long list. the Green is a healthy river teeming with life.) that calls the green home every day and every nite.

Enter the Humans(a.k.a. those that have created this mess.) There are many different interests among those Folks involved with the River. Let's start a list.
Local Landowners/Residents, Power Companies,recreationists(anglers, birdwatchers, Hikers, hunters, paddlers, swimmers, tubers, etc.) Local business owners, Various other Tourists.

There are a lot of creatures involved here and we must understand everyone's views before we can make intelligent decisions about our(paddlers) stance.

I am Transplant Local. I moved to Splasheville for a Small (and quite savvy) City Surrounded by Mountains.  I had almost exclusively been a playboater, but I knew where I was going and that I would need to adapt if I wanted all the quality that the Southern Appalachians had to offer.  I got my first creekboat(Diesel 75. I know it is not really "a" creek boat, but it is "my" creekboat). started on the local IV's and in fall 2005 met Momma Green. a Couple years later and here I have the gaul to call myself a green local. some of you may call me a tourist, but I have paddled here for three years, I Support the Access fund, and I pick up litter every time I am out. I hike the Green, I catch fish from the green and I think about it when I am not there. I might be an interesting example of the lifestyle model that has already been discussed in this debate; He/She that makes sacrifices so that they can live near and visit the river often. Thru this River I have made many great friends. We have spoken much on this topic so there viewpoints have been turned in my brain and helped me come to my current level of understanding.  
That being said(Iwant you to know where i am coming from) I want to offer my plan and some reasons behind it.

Dams Suck.
Some Dams Though, Create a Favorable Situation For Small Minorities.
Lake Summit Seems to create a favorable situation for class I-V+ boaters. Unlike almost everywhere, A Dammed River actually creates more Paddling opportuities than it kills.(there is a dry stretch). it is a huge paradox but we can't help but think that is a pretty sweet thing.  It is also favorable to Anglers, Providing consistent flows that maintain a very healthy fishery. Hikers, birdwatchers, hunters can enjoy these environs regardless of flow. Swimmers and tubers are affected by the level but they are largely ignorant to any differences(some are probably hip).

So Who Turns the Water On and Off?
There is a Dude(his name escapes me) in Charlotte who makes the calls.  They are in the business of making electricity (with a renewable resource, beats petroleum in some pros and cons) Supposedly, Tuxedo hydro generates relatively a small amount of power. None the less, they make electricity and every watt goes to the grid.  

They determine releases based on electrical demand, changing weather conditions and lake levels. The Releases are determined daily.
Somewhat recently, They have been fairly consistent with 2-3 day release forecasts. I was told that well organized Local anglers, had asked Duke to do this and it seems they obliged. well that's nice. whenever Duke can do it, they are willing to tell us several days of release information. This offers the traveler several days to plan a trip. If the traveler prefers a specific flow then he must pay attention to the release information and the natural flow of tributaries. This information is easily accessible in this digital age(huge assuption on my part, but if you are reading this then you are surfing the internet, and not a wave, right?)

So everyone is lucky to have a beautiful gameland bisected by a fantastic river that has very consistent flows.  But we are also subject to the Global weather scheme and the South East of North America in quite the drought( No Idea, I'd been living in a cave.)
We are thirsty, the plants are thirsty. the streams are low, Spotty T-storms tease us but have little impact on the water table. If it were any other year we would not be talking about this. The Green would run all the time. often too high for many, just right for some brave souls. but a rationing of water to coincide with the sun-light wouldn't be an issue.

Well If Duke is willing to grant favors to recreationalists (and it seems that they are) Then paddlers stand a good chance of getting a favor from Duke by askin very nicely. It also seems that well organized anglers have already gotten favors from Duke and that they are willing to work with paddlers in approaching Duke to ask for a better flow scheme.( by the way, there is one guaranteed release every year on the Green. It's been secured by Al G, a notable paddler, and it occurs on the first Saturday in November, Be there or be square)

This is F--ing Fantastic. We can work with anglers and improve our situation.
It seems like we often butt heads with anglers, so let's embrace this chance to cooperate with our felow watermen.

So we as Paddlers must establish a unified front. We need to come up with a position that benefits all who would dip a blade in the Green.  We have to Organize and straighten out our agenda so that we can collaborate with the Anglers in approaching Duke Power.



No new idea here. NO more nighttime releases.(obviously, only a drought issue)

Duke makes Electricity. day or nite is no different.
People want to recreate. day and night is a huge difference.
If Duke Stopped nite releases then there would be very consistent day time flow and given 2-3 day release info you have a situation that is much more reliable than trying to catch rain events. paddling whitewater is resource(rain or snowmelt) dependant and you have to be an opportunist.

As far as angling is concerned, the fish are always in there. Different flows mean different tactics and every angler know that it aint easy. But you can catch fish at all different levels, you just gotta be good. Maybe some anglers prefer specific levels, I wonder what the Trout Unlimited stance is? I assume we as paddlers would prefer at least 100% (can I get some 200%, amen). Supposedly TU is cool with 100% so if we can Just Say NO to nite-time releases and ask for minimum hundred, then the Green will run way more than any other river and you wouldn't need a release schedule to catch it.

There is also an economic angle. The Tubing companies, The whitewater out fitter, and the fishing outfitter. they all have much to gain from more consistent flow schedule. Local Economics play largely and Duke seems to consider that. they will release a early weekender providing an opportunity for early morning anglers, and upper Green adventurers, MIdmorning fun for Creekers and Noon time fun For Boaters and Tubers on the Lower. As the water drops the fishing picks up and the long days in the gorge lend themselves to relaxin out by the gentle stream.  

There is nothing to be lost by asking for NO Night time and Minimun 100%.
Let's stop bickering and get together so we can enjoy each others company in a far better place than this internet(no offence to the intenet but the Green is better)

Localism Sucks. I welcome any who want to come here and get wet.
I love to travel and I have been greeted with warm hospitality everywhere.
Access is Stressed for the Upper and Narrows. Support Green Access at Gallimore/Big Hungry. Narrows Jocks may not care but if this spot is lost then Upper Green Boaters will be Shit out of Luck. I don't paddle the Upper but I would not wish any one to lose access to river, we are one big tribe and we are all in this journey together.

Let's Have another meeting and form our position. Green River Paddlers. Let's open relations with local Trout Unlimited, and local River Business's.  
Let's Get This one right and then carry this momentum to the Chattooga.

Welcome to the end. I hope this stirs your mind up. let's get some good thoughts and Do this one right.

Your Friend
Gabriel.

p.s. I left out half the points I intended to touch upon but I got drunk and therefore decided to leave them to you other thinkers.
God Speed.