wrote in message
...
On Fri, 02 Jul 2004 13:57:05 GMT, "Rick"
wrote:

...stuff deleted
So be forewarned. . . if you are seen photographing or videotaping
an oil refinery, an oil tanker, a bald eagle near an oil refinery, an
oil spill, etc., you too could be considered a potential Al-Qaida
terrorist.

...stuff deleted

I don't know about you, but considering how many wonderful things one can
videotape from a kayak, including whales, natural settings, etc., an oil
refinery is right down on the bottom of my list, just above the
interesting
poop I took this morning. While I doubt the individual was a terrorist, I
certainly have to question his/her sanity.


Here in the NW several organizations run pollution patrols from kayaks
to document pollution incidents, etc.

I will note that when I go paddling on Puget sound (particularly in
the first year after 9-11) I am frequently checked out by fast running
coast guard boats.

I guess they have to be vigilant.

And that is what we should all be wether keeping one eye open for suspicious
activity that might be connected to terrorism or keeping an eye on big
industry that might be taking shortcuts when it comes to the health and
safety of the environment. But restricting access to otherwise public
areas, as the OP suggested this paranoia might lead to, is not the answer.

DV

One of our local runs was closed immediately after 9-11. It is a 4 mile class 2
run about an hour west of washington dc - the put in is below a dam on goose
creek. the water above the dam is the reservoir for drinking water for fairfax
county (just outside dc)...the fear was terrorists putting chemicals in the
water. Of course chemicals could be dropped in at the bridge just 5 miles
upstream of the dam....oh well...

the run can actually still be made - but a 1 mile carry is necessary as the
access road has been gated... seemd to me having a bunch of kayakers and
fisherman would be a good thing - now you have a virtually empty area....

i've moved from that area - but that was such a great little novice run & a fun
play run at some levels....Seth actually did some of his training for the Worlds
at the hole at the "golf Course rapid"....we had to paddle up from the take out
- okay for me in a kayak - but rough for him as a C-boater at the right
levels....

sheila