n early December, Grand Canyon river outfitters were pleased to receive from the Board of Directors of Grand Canyon River Guides an invitation to meet and discuss a range of issues pertaining to the Grand Canyon river running program, the Colorado River Management Plan revision process, and guide employment. In response to this invitation, I would like to express the appreciation of all the outfitters for this interest in dialogue, and for the desire to constructively address some of the many issues and some misunderstandings of the recent past. As we all know, some of these matters can be quite divisive.

Garrett Schniewind and I are currently working with Christa and Bob to schedule a meeting between the outfitters and gcrg to take place in Page during the latter half of February. In the meantime, we are working together by sharing information and perspectives in an attempt to lay a solid foundation and to provide focus for a successful and forthright exchange. We very much appreciate and value gcrg¹s interest in advancing the working relationship between our two groups. One of the issues that confronts us involves gcrg¹s desire to become involved as a third party in discussions between employers and employees regarding guide compensation and benefits.

I understand that gcrg has received substantial input from working guides urging this course of action. As I have informed the gcrg Board of Directors, Grand Canyon River Outfitters Association is not empowered by its member trustees to represent or to discuss on their behalf any issue related to an outfitter¹s employment policies. This is simply not part of the association¹s role. Discussions of these matters can only appropriately take place between a specific company¹s management and that company¹s individual employees. The mission of Grand Canyon River Outfitters Association does involve addressing the many public policy issues related to the whitewater boating program at Grand Canyon National Park. These matters include the type and nature of commercial Grand Canyon river trips, government regulation of these operations, and the working relationships we desire to build with all those interested in the management of the Colorado River corridor within the park.

I understand that some will find gcroa¹s inability to be involved in guide employment issues quite frustrating. But I hope that potential disagreement over this one point will not impair the mutual desire of gcroa and gcrg to work effectively together. We will, of course, not always agree. Nor should we. But there are many positive things for the canyon and for the river experience that we can accomplish by working together. We are aware that our recent lack of public comment about crmp issues and how we feel about the revision as it has progressed to date have raised some eyebrows and perhaps even raised some suspicions.

In the near future, I hope to present on behalf of the outfitters a range of ideas and proactive measures that will come in response to the many issues that have been raised. That time has not yet arrived. But please bear with us. In the meantime, anyone interested in discussing in greater detail matters related to commercial boating in the Grand Canyon should feel free to contact me directly. I can be reached at (520) 556-0669 or via e-mail at mark@gcroa.com.

Mark Grisham