Woman Of The River: Georgie White Clark, Whitewater Pioneer

17. Changing Faces and Changing Rules, 1972–1975

17 CAJOf5i1f5 rFaCeJ axiCM1f5i1f5 XJ{t~ IJ72-1J7S 13y 1972 a multi-million dollar commercial industry had been built up to accommodate tourists who wished to boat on the wild rivers of the nation. On the Colorado River in the Grand Canyon alone tourism had increased from 70 users in 1955 to 16,432 in 1972.1 Campsites on the Colorado were usually narrow sand beaches, and in many parts of the canyon they were very limited. The large number of people visiting scenic spots and heavily used beaches posed problems of congestion, disappearing firewood, and disposal of human waste and kitchen refuse. Furthermore, fluctuating clearwater releases from Glen Canyon Dam were eroding these beaches. In order to determine what effect this increase in use was having on the resource and visitors ' experiences, the Park Service decided to limit 1973 and subsequent use to the 1972 level. New Regulations Georgie was just getting used to being regulated by the National Park Service after having had a free run of the river for so many years when: In December 1972, the NPS announced without warning its plan: the number of persons allowed to float the river would be reduced until the total dropped to almost one-half of what the allocation was in 1971 (96,000 passenger days); and there would be a 25 percent cutback of outboard motors on the river in 1974 and each subsequent year until 1977, when all motors would be eliminated. Only oar-powered floats would be allowed.2 18J Ifimplemented, these regulations would put Georgie and several other companies out of business. To fight these harsh restrictions, severa ] outfitters launched a two-pronged attack, using legislative and judicial means. In May 1973 the outfitters filed suit, asking for an injunction against the NPS actions. They appealed to the Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals in November 1973. When the case was about to be heard, the NPS suddenly indicated there would be no cutbacks in 1974 with respect to motor use and no further cutbacks in passengers, pending further study. The NPS said it had suspended reduction of passenger allotments to river operators, but kept insisting the phase-out of motorized river boats be accomplished by 1977. The policy brought a wave of opposition. Siding with the outfitters, Senator Frank E. Moss of Utah testified that "the greatest impact upon the Canyon floor is the constant fluctuation in the Colorado River caused by the varying amount of water permitted to pass through the Glen Canyon Dam." He added, "There exist few facts-if any-to explain what damage is created by river travelers."3 Operators like Georgie could make a three-hundred-mile trip through the canyon in ten days. Abolishing motors would mean a thirty to one hundred percent increase in the time required to make the same trip. This meant passengers would be on the water for longer periods oftime each day but have less time for side trips, exploration , and appreciation of scenic areas. In addition, the cost of a motor-driven float trip at that time was averaging around $350. With oar-powered rigs, the cost would double or even triple. It would, in effect, restrict floats only to the wealthy. Nevertheless, in September 1973 the NPS restricted the number of passengers permitted on certain types of watercraft, claiming the action was necessary for safety. Georgie's big boat could now carry only twenty passengers instead of the thirty or more she had been used to taking. Despite all the opposition by outfitters and members of Congress, the NPS also went ahead and invoked the regulation prohibiting the use of motors in the Grand Canyon. In retaliation, Congress held up funding for the Park Service until the regulation was rescinded. That put an end to the matter. 190 Death at House Rock Rapid Mae Hansen and her husband had been on a dozen or more trips with Georgie, and Mae had become her close friend. After her husband died, Mae continued her trips. On one occasion she was washed overboard . When someone asked her afterwards how she felt, she said, "Oh, I must be calm, I must be calm or Georgie will never take me again."4 Orville Miller said that she did not fight to stay up, to keep her face up and out! He said that she would have drowned if they had not grabbed her by the...