Doug Whittaker - River Recreation and Human Waste
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Transcript of Doug Whittaker - River Recreation and Human Waste
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River Recreation and Human Waste Some history, a review of strategies, and lessons learned
Doug Whittaker • Confluence Research and ConsultingExit Strategies: Managing Human Waste in the Wild
Golden, Colorado • July 2010
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Origins: Grand Canyon• Bury in sand – wind uncovers – tp flowers or land mines• Dig large single latrine at site – dig up others• Port-a-potty – blue land mines• Realization: Grand Canyon is not big enough…
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Some Numbers
• 500 to 17,000 visitors from 1965 to 1972• 6 to 18 day trips & 40 people per trip• Good camps used every night: 20 lbs. per night• >1 ton per year (before dehydration)• Glen Canyon Dam: No annual flood• Today: 25,000 visitors
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Carry-out experiments
Pioneers: Steve Carothers, Roy Johnson, Larry Stevens @ MNASmart, creative, curious scientists – Grand Canyon “lifers”Many innovations and studies Main protocol:
Piss in the river Carry out solid waste
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Carry-out paradigm shiftChanged some traditions (understatement)• Piss and poop in different places• Handle hazardous waste in diverse, rough environments• On boats that occasionally turn upside down• Need for some technology / equipment development• At personal, end-point, and community levels• Took some time…still on-going
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Lessons learnedHavasu story
Use enough chemicalsPay attention to the heatBe careful how you relax
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Lessons learnedDory story
Don’t use friction-top containersPay attention to the heatCareful storage is an issue
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Lessons learnedBag story
No cheapskates – use good bagsBag in a bag OK?
Improved biodegradables
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Lessons LearnedShow up with right gear
Explicit instructions(not just interpret the canyon)
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User technologies
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Agency / take-out infrastructureDump stations & “scat machines”User: Low fees (+ straps)Agency: $44,000Location is critical Partnerships with gatewaysFly-out issue~10 rivers nationally~5 “home grown” versionsCommunity overload?
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Technology goal:Sanitize the experience
Trade-offs: weight, bulk, complexity
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Diffusion & adoption
• Interagency Whitewater Committee RMS• ~50 rivers have regulations• Nearly all – multi-day trips where rafts are common• But it has spread – at least in the West
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Why it works (sometimes)Room in the boat
Gear-intensive activityAgency support: infrastructure
Outfitter acceptance: professionalize gearNow in the “river culture”
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Resistant populations
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• Cat holes on low use rivers• Vault, pit, or composting toilets
• Floating or seasonally placed- portapotties• Mixed systems – Deschutes, Rogue, MF Salmon
•Veteran manager advice: don’t mix – commit!
The alternatives
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Problems with pit toilets1980s Gulkana burn-outs and toilet digs
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River carry-out systems work…• Enhance convenience & privacy• Hygiene – on-river at take-out• Easy to use• Easy and safe to carry• Not so expensive• Part of multi-day trip culture
Summary
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There is much more to say about outhouses, but if you’ve ever used one you’ve probably already said it. Jay Hammond, Former Alaskan Governor
Comments and questions