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<st1:place w:st="on"><st1:PlaceType w:st="on">Rivers</st1:PlaceType>
<st1:PlaceType w:st="on">National
Forest</st1:PlaceType></st1:place></SPAN></B><B><SPAN
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align=center><I><SPAN
style="COLOR: teal; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'">http://www.r5.fs.fed.us/sixrivers<o:p></o:p></SPAN></I></P></TD>
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<P class=Cell
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style="COLOR: #007f00; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'">Contact: Julie
Ranieri<o:p></o:p></SPAN></I></P>
<P class=Cell
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style="COLOR: #007f00; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'">707-441-3673</SPAN></I><SPAN
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<P class=Cell style="MARGIN: 0pt; mso-pagination: widow-orphan"><FONT
size=3><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'">For
Immediate Release<SPAN
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</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-size: 36.0pt">May
15, 2008</SPAN><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0pt"><o:p><FONT face="Times New Roman"
size=3> </FONT></o:p></P>
<H1 style="MARGIN: 0pt"><U><FONT face=Helvetica size=3>River Safety on North
Coast Rivers</FONT></U></H1>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0pt"><o:p><FONT face="Times New Roman"
size=3> </FONT></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 6pt 0pt"><FONT size=3><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold">EUREKA</SPAN><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial"> – With above normal snow pack this year, <st1:place
w:st="on"><st1:PlaceName w:st="on">North</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceType
w:st="on">Coast</st1:PlaceType></st1:place> rivers are remaining high and cold
this spring.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>River enthusiasts
enjoying the unseasonably warm weather are reminded this will be an
extraordinary year for water flows on nearly all rivers within the <st1:place
w:st="on"><st1:PlaceName w:st="on">Six</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceType
w:st="on">Rivers</st1:PlaceType> <st1:PlaceType w:st="on">National
Forest</st1:PlaceType></st1:place>. <SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN><o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 6pt 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 36pt; tab-stops: 117.0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><FONT size=3>With this year’s high water, many river
channels have changed bringing new dynamics to certain stretches of river. <SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>“When you venture to the river this year,
you may find drastic changes, from new beaches to no beaches, to a completely
different location of the river channel,” stated Bob Hemus, River Manager for
the <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:PlaceName w:st="on">Six</st1:PlaceName>
<st1:PlaceType w:st="on">Rivers</st1:PlaceType> <st1:PlaceType
w:st="on">National Forest</st1:PlaceType></st1:place>. <SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Annual high water levels often create new
river hazards such as submerged trees and debris to totally changing a rapid’s
location. <SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>By following some
simple safety guidelines you can make your trek to the river a safe one. <SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN><o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 36pt; tab-stops: 117.0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><o:p><FONT size=3> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0pt; tab-stops: 117.0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><FONT size=3>Some safety tips to keep in mind while
in and around the water:<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoBodyTextIndent
style="MARGIN: 12pt 0pt 3pt 36pt; TEXT-INDENT: -18pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol"><SPAN
style="mso-list: Ignore"><FONT size=3>·</FONT><SPAN
style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'">
</SPAN></SPAN></SPAN><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><FONT size=3>Know the
stretch of river. <SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Honestly assess
your boating ability and avoid a run that is beyond your skills. <SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Overconfidence can quickly get you into
trouble. <SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>When in doubt, stop and
scout!<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoBodyTextIndent
style="MARGIN: 0pt 0pt 3pt 36pt; TEXT-INDENT: -18pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol"><SPAN
style="mso-list: Ignore"><FONT size=3>·</FONT><SPAN
style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'">
</SPAN></SPAN></SPAN><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><FONT size=3>Never go out
alone. <SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Let someone know your trip
plans before you leave.<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoBodyTextIndent
style="MARGIN: 0pt 0pt 3pt 36pt; TEXT-INDENT: -18pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol"><SPAN
style="mso-list: Ignore"><FONT size=3>·</FONT><SPAN
style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'">
</SPAN></SPAN></SPAN><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><FONT size=3>Remember –
cold water can drain your mental and physical strength quickly. <SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Dress appropriately for the weather and
water conditions and always wear safety equipment.<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoBodyTextIndent
style="MARGIN: 0pt 0pt 3pt 36pt; TEXT-INDENT: -18pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol"><SPAN
style="mso-list: Ignore"><FONT size=3>·</FONT><SPAN
style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'">
</SPAN></SPAN></SPAN><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><FONT size=3>Parents
should keep a watchful eye on kids and always have them wear a life
jacket<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoBodyTextIndent
style="MARGIN: 0pt 0pt 3pt 36pt; TEXT-INDENT: -18pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol"><SPAN
style="mso-list: Ignore"><FONT size=3>·</FONT><SPAN
style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'">
</SPAN></SPAN></SPAN><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><FONT size=3>Everyone,
including adults, should wear a life jacket.<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoBodyTextIndent
style="MARGIN: 18pt 0pt 6pt; TEXT-INDENT: 18pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><FONT size=3>“With a wide selection of professional
whitewater outfitter guides in our area, you are encouraged to use them to enjoy
your favorite river safely this year,” said Hemus.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Most outfitter guides operate under
permit from National Forests.<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 6pt 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 18pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><FONT size=3>Have fun while recreating on and around
the river, but do so in a safe manner.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</SPAN>Contact Bob Hemus at 530-627-3291 or the Forest Service office closest to
where they’ll be recreating to find out the latest river conditions and any
other safety information. <o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 6pt 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 36pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><FONT size=3>For additional safety tips, visit the
Water Safety Coalition of Northwest California website at </FONT><A
href="http://www.fs.fed.us/r5/sixrivers/recreation/water-safety/"><FONT
size=3>http://www.fs.fed.us/r5/sixrivers/recreation/water-safety/</FONT></A></SPAN><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial"><FONT size=3><SPAN
style="mso-tab-count: 1">
</SPAN>. <o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P></FONT></DIV></BODY></HTML>