For a paddler nothing compares to the remoteness, solitude, natural beauty, wildlife and self-reliance that wilderness waterways provide. The ACA is dedicated to protecting these life-changing places and the unique paddling experiences they offer. This is not always easy. True wilderness is not popular among those who seek to develop it or among some who lack the skills and character required to meet its challenges.
The ACA advocates for wilderness waterways through participation in resource management planning processes and support legislative protections such a federal designation under the Wilderness Act. Many wild rivers, streams, lakes and coastal waterways meet the high standards for Wilderness designation, but have never received permanent protection due to lobbying by development or motorized recreation interests. For example, great wild rivers of the Arctic, such as the Canning and Hulahula Rivers, have never been afforded Wilderness protection because oil companies covet the oil and gas beneath the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.
In other cases, waterways that have been designated as Wilderness have had their protection eroded by conflicting interests. The Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW) is an unfortunate example of this. Even though the Wilderness Act prohibits motorized use, the legislation that designated BWCAW was a compromise with motorized advocates that allowed some motorized use, but slowly reduced it over time. Despite this compromise, motorized use advocates have constantly worked to forestall the phased in reductions they agreed to, and have attempted on numerous occasions to further increase motorized use.
Protecting America's spectacular wilderness waterways is a challenge that requires effort on the part of all paddlers.
