{Tidal Potomac Fly Rodders} Re: LEGAL WADING ACCESS TO OUR POTOMAC RIVER

I went back and looked through the old discussion forum and have to ask a dumb question.  I do the Nation's triathlon every year and every year when there isn't storm water runoff poisining us with poop (2013, 2009) we swim in the Potomac. Does DoI "officially authorize" the triathlon to swim in the Potomac every year? Or are we all breaking the law (with Park Service and Police supervision)? I find that really odd. I appreciate people taking some time to work on this.  Thank you!

"(e) Swimming. Bathing, swimming or wading in any fountain or pool except where officially authorized is prohibited. Bathing, swimming or wading in the Tidal Basin, the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal, or Rock Creek, or entering from other areas covered by this section the Potomac River, Anacostia River, Washington Channel or Georgetown Channel, except for the purpose of saving a drowning person, is prohibited."

On Monday, May 11, 2015 at 11:51:31 AM UTC-4, Dan Davala - Founder/President wrote:

To All TPFRers

I thought I'd start a new thread on this issue as id like to chime in myself and hopefully help finally put this issue to rest.  I'm in agreement with Josh, that even though it has not been an issue outside of a few isolated incidents there are still legally binding statutes on the books that prevent us from legally accessing our most valued local resource, the Potomac River.

I also want to call out and acknowledged Josh for his commitment to this cause and his continued perseverance on the issue.  He and I have had several correspondences about it, and from the beginning he has always volunteered his time and effort to see it through.  So, thank you Josh for your continued support and dedication to the club!

To clarify, my only reason for suggesting we hold off last time he and I talked about it is I felt it was just a little too close in the heels of the Fletcher's access issue which I thought was a bit more pressing at the moment and I didn't want to flood the NPS with another petition about another issue too quickly.  I also didn't want to hit the club with another petition too soon either and possibly cause confusion of the issues in the process.

I do believe the timing is now right to once and for all fully address this issue and clearly establish legal wading access to the Potomac River.  While most of us are fine just leaving things alone, it is a very real issue that many working in our area have security clearances and cannot afford to be cited for violating a statute by wading while fishing our river.  In some cases, it could even cost someone their job.

I think as a club focused in this fishery, it certainly fits within our scope to want to help define, preserve, and protect legal wading access to to public resource.  

So, with that said, I am excited to seeing what Josh puts together for a petition, and you can bet my name will be the first one on it, unless one of you all beats me to it of course!  Our success in supporting Friends of Fletcher's Cove should serve as an example of what we can do when we do it together.  I look forward to legally getting my boots wet with you all very soon!

Dan Davala

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