WHAT ARE OTHER COMMUNITIES DOING WITH THEIR RIVERS?
For many years the good citizens of New Braunfels have struggled with their responsibility and stewardship of the Comal and Guadalupe Rivers which lie within its boundaries. Recent years have shown increased usage and the resulting increase in litter and other environmental effects of crowds of people upon the rivers.
The recent enactment of a NB City ordinance banning nondisposable containers and the objection of opponents is well covered elsewhere. My focus is – What are other communities similarly situating doing about litter, overcrowding, potential for environmental damage, etc.
This information is not exhaustive but preliminary. I would recommend more in depth study and contact with these communities to truly compare them to the New Braunfels scenario. However I will share the information I gathered through internet research. To save space I am including only things that relate to coolers/alcohol/containers/litter.
I Googled “River Tubing Rules” and found the following:
1. Racoon River Excursions (outfitter) http://www.raccoonriverexcursions.com/rules. Located outside Des Moines, Iowa
No glass bottles will be allowed on the river
No Styrofoam coolers allowed on the river.
No kegs are allowed on the river
Pick up after yourself. DO NOT LITTER!
All trash should be placed in your cooler or one of our tubs.
No littering on the river. Please pick up any trash you see.
[Part and Tubing Bus Rules]
No throwing anything out of the windows of the bus
Place trash in the trash containers provided
Do not damage any of our property you will have to pay for it
No glass bottles are allowed on the buses (put liquor in plastic)
Pick your trash up before exiting the bus at the end of your trip 2. Farmington River Tubing, New Hartford, CT (outfitter)
http://www.farmingtonrivertubing.com/rules.php
This is a 2.5 mile ride with three sets of rapids and some whitewater. Among restrictions –
You cannot use the rented equipment if you are; pregnant, under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or other imperative substances, experiencing neck, back, or other conditions that could be aggravated by the use of the equipment.
The equipment is not designed for pets & therefore they cannot accompany you.
No smoking while tubing. The equipment is not resistant to fire or ashes.
No food, beverage, or other potential litter allowed.
3. Steamboat Springs, CO (municipality)
http://www.exploresteamboat.com/news/2011/aug/03/tubing/
This city has 6.5 miles of Yampa River within its city limits. A portion of the river is limited to four commercial outfitters who shuttle tubers back to cars at designated placed. In 2004 they adopted a Yampa River Management Plan to address recreational and environmental concerns http://yampavalley.info/centers/community_resources/pages/yampa_river_management_plan
Appendix B of the plan addresses river tubing. http://yampavalley.info/sites/default/files/appendix_b_122203.pdf
Of note is that the City allots only X-number of tubes per day to each outfitter depending on its City permit. I saw an article about tubing which said one outfitter (Backdoor Sports) is allotted 600 weekend trips.
Each outfitter’s tubes must be identifiable by color. Outfitters are responsible for the clean-up of the river during peak season. The city allows no alcohol on the river. The City receives a 5% user fee from gross revenues of the outfitters for tube rentals. Outfitters must keep logs.
From the Yampa River Management Plan:
Recreation Use Recreation demand on the river periodically exceeds the river’s capacity to accommodate the demand. Even with regulations in place, user confl icts and other problems related to recreation management continue to increase. For example, certain types of uses continue to increase such as more private tubers on the river. Also, new water features concentrate kayakers at a few locations. The quality of the recreation experience for all users of the river is affected by a number of factors. To allow everincreasing use levels will eventually result in a diminishment of the quality of the experience and users who are less satisfied with their experience. Recreational use along the Yampa River is an important component of the local economy. Commercial tubing, kayaking, rafting and fi shing attract a large number of visitors to the area. An important component in any management decision relating to the river is economic impact. For example, it’s important for commercial tubing operations to provide an experience that results in high visitor satisfaction while also providing suffi cient economical return. If commercial operations are not viable, private use may increase. An inevitable result of continued population growth in and around Steamboat Springs will be more river users and more demand for this finite resource.
Rules for all river users:
• No Glass Allowed • No Littering • No Styrofoam Coolers • Respect Other River Users • Respect Private Property • No Dogs Allowed • No Nudity • No Alcohol • Avoid Standing and Walking on the Riverbed
4. KP Hole and Rainbow River (Marion County, FL) http://www.kphole.com/2.html
“No alcohol allowed in park at all. All coolers are subject to search. Sheriff is on speed dial. Also you cannot take food or drink in the original disposable container on the river. This is strictly enforced by river patrol. You can have all the food and non-alcoholic beverages you want but put them in non-disposable containers like sport bottles, thermoses or tupperware like containers. The park does sell some of these containers but it's best to come prepared from home. Original water bottles are disposable so they are not allowed on the river. Disposables are allowed in the park just not on the river. Since this law was established, the Rainbow River has been much cleaner and a joy to see and play in! If you have any doubts, call the park at 352-489-3055.”
“Staff will need to check any coolers for alcohol or if you are going on the river for disposible containers (contraband).”
5. Rainbow River, Dunnellon, FL http://www.therainbowriver.com/rules.html River Rules
Florida State Parks are managed to provide resource-based recreation while preserving, interpreting and restoring natural and cultural resources. Because the Rainbow River is a popular destination, there are a number of regulations in place to protect it. These are a few:
No tubing is allowed within 1800 feet of the headsprings. Swimming and snorkeling within the first 1800 feet of the headsprings is restricted to the buoyed swimming area to prevent injury and uprooting of water plants. Motors are not allowed within 1800 feet of the headsprings and you are not allowed in any way to anchor, land, or get out of your vessel other than at the designated canoe dock.
The restricted area is clearly mark by a buoy placed in the center of the river 1800 feet from the headsprings.
County and State ordinances applying to the entire Rainbow River include:
It is unlawful to possess alcoholic beverages or to possess any food or drink in a disposable container. You must display the appropriate "diver down" flag while snorkeling or scuba diving. Vessels may not go faster than idle speed or cause a wake.
By following these rules, the Rainbow River will be safer, cleaner, and protected for all to enjoy.
6. Delaware River Tubing (outfitter located in New Jersey) http://www.delawarerivertubing.com/Policy.html
Food and Coolers: Food and Coolers are strictly forbidden. The river rental includes a free BBQ meal at “The Famous River Hot Dog Man”. Sealed water bottles are permitted. If you have any dietary needs, we will make exceptions. To prevent littering and to preserve the environment, Delaware River Tubing, Inc. does not allow food or coolers.
Alcohol: Alcohol is strictly forbidden. Alcohol and water sports do not mix. If you are caught drinking alcohol on our property, you will not be allowed to participate. Please understand that your safety and the safety of others is our number one concern.
Illegal Drugs: Any person suspected with or caught using illegal drugs before departure will not be allowed on the ride. If you are suspected of being under the influence of any drug, Delaware River Tubing reserves the right to deny you of participating for your safety.
7. James River Reeling & Rafting (outfitter - Scottsville, VA)
Leave the alcohol at home! Alcohol and the River don't mix!!
It's the LAW! Consumption of alcohol in public is strictly prohibited and heavily enforced. Don't risk the possibility of arrest and destroying a perfect day for you and your group! Littering in Virginia is illegal so help keep our river green and clean. If you take it on the river, bring it out of the river with you.
8. Ichnetucknee State Park (Florida)
Limits tubing to 750 tubers a day in certain area.
PROTECTION Recreational use of the Ichetucknee River has increased substantially since the park was established in 1970. As time passed, biological research proved this heavy use was adversely impacting the stream's vegetation.
Plants are injured or uprooted when tubers and snorkelers grab onto them. Stirring up the bottom with swim fins dislodges the soil-around the plant beds and reduces the clarity of the water.
To aid in preserving the fragile stream, pulling up plants in the river or climbing on trees along the bank is prohibited. When possible, keep your feet away from the streambed to avoid stirring up the sediments.
Since the vegetation is of paramount importance in maintaining the stream's character and wildlife, tubing and snorkeling now are regulated by limiting the number. At this time, 750 tubers a day are permitted on the northern portion of the river between the upper and midpoint tube launches. If further damage occurs, it will be necessary to limit the number even more. (A higher number of tubers are permitted between the midpoint launch and the last takeout.) With cooperation, however, the Ichetucknee will flourish. It is recommended that on weekends and holidays you plan on arriving early.
9. Coosawatee River Tubing Co. (outfitter – Ellijay, GA)
Alcohol, Glass container, Coolers, or Illegal Substances Any customer who appears to be under the influence of alcohol or drugs will not be allowed to go on any tubing trip. No alcohol, glass containers, coolers, or illegal substances will be allowed on any part of trip, whether on shuttle, on the water, etc.
10. Rappahannock River Campground (Richardsville, VA)
Tubing
Our tubing trip features class I and II rapids, takes about 4 hours, and costs $18.00 per person.
Shuttles leave at 12:30 p.m. and 2:00 pm. Check-in is required 30 minutes prior to departure. RESERVATIONS ARE REQUIRED
We no longer provide nor do we transport personal cooler tubes. Beverages may be taken in a small cooler which will sit on your lap.