Latest News Issues Programs About Us Ways to Give Donate Share Our Rivers: Reducing River Overcrowding Commercial canoe and kayak rental services have grown quickly and continue to expand. Overcrowding on Tennessee’s rivers has reached a critical level and solutions are needed. Heavy rental paddlecraft traffic too often drives individual users off rivers and leads to habitat damage. Basic rules for rental services and river-specific recreational use management plans protect the health and quality of our rivers, allowing everyone to enjoy and share our rivers. Join the Share Our Rivers Coalition to be alerted to the latest efforts to promote fair use by all so our rivers provide unforgettable experiences for generations. Join the Coalition Sharing Access to a Public Resource More and more, the Federation heard from anglers and private paddlers that commercial operators had come to practically dominate our most cherished rivers and public access points. Without basic rules, heavy traffic too often drives individual users off rivers and can lead to unnecessary damage to habitats. Meanwhile, the commercial operators had no rules requiring safe and fair operation. Not all commercial operators are created equal. Some seek to be good stewards but others seemingly operate without regard to our water or wildlife, much less other users. Tennessee Wildlife Federation developed and secured passage of a law to give the Tennessee Fish and Wildlife Commission the authority to create rules for these commercial operators. Despite efforts by the industry to stop these basic rules, operators now must obtain a permit; meet certain safety standards, including safety briefings for renters; and document how many commercial trips they are generating on what portions of our rivers. Today, the Federation is pressing for a process to create river-specific recreational use management plans. There are good examples nationwide of these plans successfully allowing all users to enjoy public waterways. But to move forward with a planning process, we need your help and voice in the Share Our Rivers Coalition. Join the Share Our Rivers Coalition Donate to Conservation In the News Waterway Safety Concerns Grow WSMV News 4 Tennessee’s new rules for kayak, canoe rental industry Chattanooga Times Free Press Federation Lobbies to Manage Commercial Paddlecraft Rentals Rhea Review State Tries To Decide: Should Paddle Companies Have To Pay To Use Tennessee’s Rivers? Nashville Public Radio Donate to Conservation Quick Facts Tennessee’s 1.25 million anglers support wildlife conservation through license fees and special taxes. Crowding anglers off rivers could reduce critical funding. Fishing generates $1.2 billion in economic output and supports 7,669 jobs in Tennessee. 181,000+ commercially-guided trips are made on the Ocoee River each year. Fees make water management on the river possible. Share Our Rivers Coalition Members More from the Federation about Share Our Rivers Coalition U.S. Senate Candidates Share Their Opinion on Conservation in Tennessee Candidates for U.S. Senate Talk Conservation Timeline of Work to Better Share Our Rivers Page 1 of 3 1 2 3 Frequently Asked Questions What do the new rules for commercial paddlecraft rental services do? Are there examples of permits other places? Will the fee be the same for all commercial operators? Won’t this hurt small, local businesses? Will private citizens have to pay to access the river? How will vessel requirements benefit river users? More Information Additional Media Coverage First Name (Optional) Last Name (Optional) ZIP Code (Optional) Enter your email address 300 Orlando Avenue Nashville, Tennessee 37209 (615) 353-1133 © 2021 Tennessee Wildlife Federation Donate for Wildlife Take Action Volunteer for Wildlife Create a Wildlife Habitat Fundraise for Wildlife Programs Media Resources Latest News Contact Privacy We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. Cookie settings ACCEPT