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Georgia Rivers urges clearer small‑stream public‑access rules, says uncertainty deters paddlers and rural tourism
Summary
Georgia Rivers told the committee that unclear state policy on public passage for small streams discourages out‑of‑state paddlers and reduces rural tourism opportunities. The group said neighboring states that explicitly allow passage on streams that will float a recreational watercraft attract more river tourism.
A representative of Georgia Rivers told the Economic Development & Tourism committee that uncertain state policy on public passage for small streams is deterring paddlers and reducing river‑based tourism in rural communities.
The Georgia Rivers speaker said the organization runs the state water trails program and that outdoor recreation, including paddling, contributes substantially to rural economic activity. The presentation cited boating and fishing as generating about $1.1 billion in economic activity in Georgia.
"They're afraid they're gonna get arrested," the Georgia Rivers representative said, recounting conversations with paddlers and an out‑of‑state canoe club that avoids many Georgia trips because of concerns about ambiguous access rules.
The speaker compared Georgias approach to neighboring states and argued that states that explicitly allow public passage where a recreational watercraft can float tend to outperform Georgia in boating impact. The presenter urged the committee to consider policy that protects passage downstream for rafts, tubes, canoes and kayaks to improve competitiveness with Florida, South Carolina and North Carolina.
A committee member responded in the hearing that "we fixed it last year" and that the legislature can vote on navigable streams; the transcript does not specify the statutory change referenced or provide a citation.
Why it matters: River and paddle sports tourism bring visitors to rural communities and support local businesses; speakers said clearer public‑access rules could increase event and recreational tourism and reduce legal uncertainty for out‑of‑state visitors and organized clubs.
Requests and next steps: Georgia Rivers asked lawmakers to consider clarifying or protecting public access to small streams in statute or policy to remove uncertainty that discourages paddling trips.
