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America Outdoors Association Launches New Website
A fresh new look, a searchable database for archived documents and bulletins, and outfitter listings are all part of the new America Outdoors Association website. To access the members resources section, you will need a user name and a password, which will be sent to you soon. You may also call the AO office to obtain your password. To view the new site, go to http://www.americaoutdoors.org
Wyoming Supreme Court Ruling Upholds Liability Waivers
In a case involving a hunter thrown from a horse, the Wyoming Supreme Court ruled that the Release of Liability and User Indemnity Agreement was valid even though it was signed after he had arrived for the trip and after he had entered into an agreement with the outfitter for the hunt. The plaintiff argued that the Release was not a valid agreement because it was not supported by “separate consideration” (benefit). The plaintiff claimed that when the original agreement for the hunt was signed, the Release was not signed as part of that agreement. Therefore, no additional “consideration” was provided as required by contract law when the Release was signed upon arrival for the trip. The Supreme Court upheld the District Court ruling that the waiver was valid because the original letter of agreement for the hunt referenced a requirement to sign the “Release and Indemnity Agreement”.
Montana, Virginia and Louisiana prohibit the use of liability waivers. Court rulings in Arizona, Connecticut and Wisconsin in the past few years have limited their applicability or called into question their use in obtaining summary judgments, according to SportWaiver.com At least for now, a Release of Liability agreement, if properly written and executed, is valid in Wyoming.
Special Program on the Future of Outfitters in Wilderness and on Wild and Scenic Rivers
On Thursday, December 10th outfitters operating in wilderness and on Wild and Scenic Rivers will have the opportunity to learn some of the legal issues evolving from lawsuits over permitting outfitters in these designated areas and about the agencies' NEW management policies. NPS has a workgroup established on visitor use and capacity. Chris Brown, Director of Wilderness and Wild and Scenic Rivers from the Forest Service will discuss their changed wilderness management and plans to change wild and scenic river management policies. Gary Marsh, Deputy Director of BLM’s Recreation Division will explain their policies. Jonathan Simon, an attorney for Van Ness Feldman in Washington will review the legal decisions and issues.
Registration for the conference, December 8 – 10th, will be available in late July. Tthe Silver Legacy Resort in Reno, NV is the host hotel.
Why Staying at the Silver Legacy Host Hotel for America Outdoor Convention and Tradeshow in Reno Is So Important
- Staying at the host hotel really helps America Outdoors Association make the meeting affordable since we incur penalties for not reaching our contracted room block. That means higher costs for meeting registrations and booth space at future events.
- Room rates are $69 single/double occupancy for stays from December 6 through December 10th.
- To make reservations call 800-687-8733 and use the code AMERICA.
- The Silver Legacy is the most convenient hotel to the meeting and tradeshow.
Senators Focusing on Needs of Small Business in Health Care Debate
The rising cost of health insurance was the focus of discussion between a group of Senators in the Senate Small Business and Entrepreneurship Roundtable recently who met with representatives of small business to address small business issues. Small businesses have a difficult time establishing large nationwide pools due to the state by state regulation of health insurance. Senate Small Business and Entrepreneurship Chairwoman Mary Landrieu (D-La.) along with Sens. Olympia Snowe (R-Maine) and Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) held a roundtable discussion Thursday to determine what to do to ensure that heath care reform legislation extends to small businesses.
Former First Lady Laura Bush Rafts Rogue River with AO Member
Accompanied by childhood friends and the Secret Service, former First Lady Laura Bush recently enjoyed a raft trip on the Rogue River with AOA member Rogue Wilderness Adventures. http://kdrv.com/news/local/133703
American Rivers Executive Nominated to Oversee Forest Service
Secretary of Agriculture Vilsack today announced the nomination of Ann Mills as USDA Deputy Under Secretary for Natural Resources and Environment (NRE). Most recently, as a senior executive at American Rivers - the nation's leading river conservation organization - Mills directed day-to-day operations, led the expansion of regional offices and directed a team of senior policy staff. She led the implementation of programs to develop sustainable solutions for flood and drought mitigation and water quality improvement across the country including urban and rural watersheds in Northern California's Sierras and Bay Delta; the Columbia, Missouri and Mississippi river basins; the Great Lakes; and the Chesapeake Bay.
As a senior staff person for Senate Democratic Leader Tom Daschle, Mills directed the Senate office and was closely involved with agricultural and natural resource management issues. Mills also worked on agricultural and conservation issues for California Lt. Governor Leo McCarthy and then Congressman Richard Durbin, for whom she was the lead legislative staffer on bio-fuels.
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