Federal Appellate Court Upholds Right to Motorized Boats in Grand Canyon

The 9^th Circuit Court of Appeals has upheld a decision by an Arizona Federal District Court and threw out a suit to stop motorized boats in the Grand Canyon. Four groups had argued that using motorized rafts and allowing passenger exchanges by helicopter (at Whitmore Wash) impaired the wilderness character of the park.

Motorized rafts give participants the opportunity to experience the entire Grand Canyon in one week. With the US continuing drift to less vacations and vacation time, this is the only way that most people will ever see the entire canyon. Helicopter exchanges offer the same opportunity allowing passengers to get out of the canyon before their vacation time runs out.

As a boater in the canyon I sometimes think it would be nice not to have motors going by once every couple of days. At the same time, I know the canyon is what it is today because of the motors. Probably the only reason we have a canyon in the condition that it is, is because of the people the river trips have taken down. Motorized trips are able to take down many more passengers due to the reduced price and time issues. Each of those passengers is someone who understands and subsequently is able to protect this unbelievable resource.

The view from the rim is amazing. A trip down the canyon, no matter how will change your life.

See Appeals Court Rejects Suit Against Motorized Rafts in Grand Canyon