AW Volunteer Of The Month Presented By Kokatat : Tarrant, Gillies & Richardson

American Whitewater is proud to recognize attorney Ryan Kane and the Law Firm of Tarrant, Gillies & Richardson for their extraordinary efforts to protect whitewater boating on the Green River in Vermont. The firm tirelessly and skillfully represented AW and Vermont Paddlers Club on their appeal to the Vermont Superior Court, Environmental Division, of Vermont Agency on Natural Resources restrictions on whitewater releases by Morrisville Water & Light in the FERC relicensing of the hydropower project on the Green River.

 

The Green River is an exceptional stretch of whitewater flowing through a deeply wooded area with several gorges, falls, and drops and providing a challenging boating opportunity for advanced paddlers. AW has been involved with the Green since the 2011 whitewater boating study demonstrated the boating potential of this reach. Those efforts met with opposition from ANR officials who sought to limit whitewater boating opportunities there. In recent years, scheduled releases on the Green have attracted a large number of whitewater boaters. AW is seeking to protect and enhance existing whitewater boating opportunities on the river

 

Attorney Ryan Kane with Tarrant, Gillies & Richardson represented AW & VPC during a 2-week trial in Burlington in April before Judge Walsh in the Environmental Court that included testimony by AW staff Bob Nasdor and Tom O'Keefe as well as AW members Dave Packie and Max McGregor. Prior to trial, the court ruled that whitewater boating on the Green River was an existing use notwithstanding the state's "irrational and unreasonable" argument to the contrary. A decision by the Court is expected later in the summer. 

 

AW wants to express its sincere appreciation to the Law Firm of Tarrant, Gillies & Richardson, and in particular to attorney Ryan Kane and attorney Dan Richardson for their generous commitment of legal resources in support of whitewater boating in Vermont.

 

In recognition of  Ryan and Dan's support for AW, they will be receiving a gift certificate from Kokatat!