Piragis Northwoods Company
 105 North Central Avenue
Ely, Minnesota 55731
1-800-223-6565
www.piragis.com
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Friday, August 17, 2007
Greetings from Ely, Minnesota and the Boundary Waters!
Fire Regulation Update: Fire Restrictions
 As of 8:00 am, August 17, 2007
Within the entire Superior National Forest (including all areas of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness)
• No open fires, including campfires, wood-burning
camp stoves and charcoal fires.
• No welding, acetylene torches or other devices
with open flame are allowed.
• Propane and gas camp stoves are allowed.
Forest Supervisor’s Order R909-07-14
There are also Fire Restrictions outside the Superior National Forest within St. Louis, Lake and Cook counties (2007-08-15)
Due to the severe drought conditions that continue to plague northeastern Minnesota, additional fire restrictions are necessary for Cook, Lake and St. Louis counties.
The lack of precipitation and increased fire danger has prompted the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Superior National Forest, Bureau of Indian Affairs, National Park Service, and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to prohibit open burning, use of campfires, and use of certain open flame devices within forested or grassland areas.
The tightened fire restrictions will be effective beginning Friday, Aug. 17, at 8 a.m. for Cook, Lake and St. Louis counties. Until further notice, the following fire restrictions will be enforced:
· no open burning permits, including the use of burning barrels within Cook, Lake and St. Louis counties
· campfires, recreational fires and charcoal fires are prohibited, except within one mile of Lake Superior, where campfires may be allowed after 6 p.m. up to midnight provided they are within a patrolled campground or resort, and are in a designated fire receptacle designed for such use; in addition, campground or resort managers must conduct a final patrol to make sure all fires are extinguished
· use of welding, acetylene torches or other devices with open flame is not allowed within forested areas, except under a special authorization.
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NEW RELEASES FROM the FOREST SERVICE
BWCAW to Benefit from Proposed User Fee Increase in 2008:
NEWS RELEASE
USDA Forest Service
Superior National Forest
July 31, 2007
Contact:
Kris Reichenbach 218-626-4393
BWCAW to Benefit from Proposed User Fee Increase
In order to continue to maintain a high quality wilderness experience, under authority of the Recreation Enhancement Act, the Superior National Forest is proposing the first increase in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW) user fees in 10 years. User fees generated through this program come directly back to the Forest and are essential in supplementing allocated funds, allowing the Forest to accomplish work that would not otherwise be possible.
The Superior National Forest has submitted a proposal to the Eastern Region Recreation Resource Advisory Committee (RRAC) to increase overnight user fees for the BWCAW. Fees would increase from the current $10.00 to $16.00 per adult per trip and from the current $5.00 to $8.00 per youth per trip. This fee has not changed since it was initially established ten years ago.
The basis for the increase is an adjustment for inflation (using the Consumer Price index) over the past ten years with forward projections over the next five to ten years. If approved by the RRAC, the Forest intends to implement this increase in 2008.
The BWCAW is the most heavily used wilderness in the country with approximately 200,000 visitors annually staying for 1.5 million “recreation visitor days”. Wilderness management includes maintaining portages, trails, and campsites in the BWCAW as well as providing visitor education and managing the permit and reservation system.
BACKGROUND:
The Recreation Enhancement Act was signed into law in December, 2005 as part of the Consolidated Appropriations Bill and permits federal agencies to continue charging modest fees at campgrounds, rental cabins and other recreation areas (such as the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness) on federal lands for a ten-year period. The new program replaces the 1996 Recreation Fee Demonstration Act and Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) authority. Under the REA, the Secretary of Agriculture has established Recreation Resource Advisory Committees (RRAC) in the Pacific Northwest, Pacific Southwest, Alaska, Eastern and Southern Regions of the Forest Service. The role of the RRAC in each of the regions is to provide recommendations to Forest Service (and BLM) officials on establishing, changing or eliminating user fees. Each RRAC is comprised of 11 members with representatives from recreation users, special interest groups, and government officials (Indian tribes, state tourism, and local). Members serve for 2 or 3 years and may be reappointed to a subsequent 3-year term.
Additional information is available in the Wilderness section of the Superior National Forest website: www.fs.fed.us/r9/superior. Contact the Superior National Forest with comments or questions about this proposal: 218-626-4300 or email r9_superior_NF@fs.fed.us.
OUT-OF-STATE FIREWOOD PROHIBITED ON SUPERIOR AND CHIPPEWA NATIONAL FOREST LANDS:
NEWS RELEASE
USDA Forest Service
Minnesota
For release July 30, 2007
Contacts:
Kris Reichenbach, (Public Affairs) Superior National Forest 218-626-4393
Kay Getting (Public Affairs) or Sonja Hoie (Recreation), Chippewa National Forest 218-335-8600
Forest Service Announces Restrictions on Firewood
The Superior and Chippewa National Forests have issued an order on Forest Service lands within the boundaries of both Forests to prohibit the transport or use of firewood gathered outside of Minnesota.
This new policy is part of a joint effort with partners to address the potential introduction and dispersal of non-native invasive species (NNIS), including emerald ash borer (EAB) by firewood movement into Minnesota. EAB is of particular concern, because Minnesota contains the third largest concentration of ash trees in the nation.
Many visitors to National Forest campgrounds and parks come from outside the area, and many bring their own firewood. Unfortunately, firewood is an easy ride for EAB and other unwanted pests. Unable to fly more than two miles on its own, the EAB can spread at “55 mph” when it hitchs a ride with campers. The EAB is an exotic, non-native species which has no natural predators in this country so it is virtually indestructible. For the past several years, EAB has been making a slow and deadly migration throughout the Midwest and has already destroyed millions of ash trees.
This policy supports State legislation passed in Minnesota earlier this year to regulate movement of firewood on lands administered by the State. In addition, the Minnesota Forest Resource Council (MFRC) has passed a resolution addressing “invasive or exotic plant, insect and disease threats to Minnesota’s forests and environment”. The MFRC, of which the Superior and Chippewa National Forests are members, represents a wide range of governmental, environmental and industry groups. This
unified effort will serve to facilitate addressing this issue across Minnesota’s complex land ownership
pattern.
Every effort will be made to help people voluntarily comply with these new policies. Forest Service and other agency emphasis is on education so that everyone understands the issue of spreading non-native invasive species through firewood movement. Campers will need to utilize wood sources local to the areas they camp at and avoid transporting any firewood. Moving firewood out of state from Illinois, Indiana, Ohio and Lower Michigan is currently banned by the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, a branch of the United States Department of Agriculture.
Additional information is available at the following web sites or by phone:
Interagency website: www.emeraldashborerinfo.org
Chippewa National Forest website: www.fs.fed.us/r9/chippewa
Superior National Forest website: www.fs.fed.us/r9/superior
Minnesota Department of Agriculture HOTLINE:
651-201-6684 (metro area)
1-888-545-6684 (greater Minnesota)
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The Weather as of now
Friday... Partly cloudy. Highs 65 to 70. Northwest winds 10 to 15 mph.
Saturday... Partly sunny. Highs 63 to 68. Southeast winds 5 to 10 mph.
Sunday... Partly sunny. Highs 68 to 73. Southeast winds 10 to 15 mph.
Monday... Partly sunny with a 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Highs 72 to 77.
Tuesday... Partly sunny with a 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Highs 75 to 80.
Wednesday... Mostly cloudy with a 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Lows 53 to 58. Highs 75 to 80.
Thursday... Mostly cloudy with a 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Lows 53 to 58. Highs 75 to 80.
Friday... Partly sunny with a 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Highs 73 to 78.
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A Boundary Waters Chronology: A great informational read!
Boundary Waters Chronology
by Stephen Wilbers
This chronology is presented in four versions so that you may choose according to your interests. The long version contains all entries, the short version is a knock-down version of the long one, and the wilderness management and natural history versions contain entries specific to those topics.
The Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness is a 1.1 million acre wilderness located in northeastern Minnesota. I hope you enjoy browsing through this history as much as I have enjoyed compiling it.
http://www.wilbers.com/ChronologyWildernessManagement.htm
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Our Outfitting Customers share their thoughts
"Good Morning Drew and Steve,
The Bogolubs took two excellent Piragis trips last week. On Monday Aaron
took my sons and I fishing on Ojibway Lake. We caught over 15 fish and
Aaron prepared a super shore lunch. Aaron also did a wonderful job of
guiding and entertaining my two sons in a canoe for the day.
On Thursday we rented two tandem kayaks and paddled the Little Indian Sloux
River. The staff did a great job of helping our family with loading the
equipment and informing us of all the key details about the kayaks.
These trips were some of the highlights of our summer in Ely.
Thanks for all that you do."
Larry Bogolub
To reserve canoes please email us, Bert Heep or Drew Brockett or call us at 1-800-223-6565. We can set you up with canoes, permits, gear, whatever you need, including full outfitting for 1 person, a large group and any size in between.
"Drew - We had a great time! Thanks for all your help getting set up. You guys run a first-class outfit. We plan on coming back and bringing friends.
Take care," Dan
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Two Day Hikes in Ely by Amy Wier, Piragis Staff
If you're in Ely and looking for an easy, scenic hiking trail reasonably close to town, I would recommend two. The Kawishiwi Falls Trail is a new attraction added around Fall Lake just outside of Ely on the Fernberg Rd. Starting at the parking lot you gently wind around through a varying forest of trees and some marshy areas full of songbirds and woodpeckers. Traveling about 3/4 mile you are led to a breathtaking view of the Kawishiwi Falls /Fall Lake Dam. As the water rushes over the Dam and the huge rocks below, it makes for a perfect day of picture taking, picnicking, and dangling your feet in the water. Caution should be used around the edges, especially if you have children, the rocks can be slippery and the water is fast moving. Total length of trail is 1.5 miles.
The other trail I would suggest is the Stub Lake Trail which can be accessed also off the Fernberg Rd. The trail begins at Fall Lake Campground 6 miles east of Ely. Parking is at the campground's main parking lot and from there you take a paved walk to the head of the Stub Lake Trail. Immediately you begin a 1.5 mile hike along an upland forest, keep your eyes open for various wildlife, we came across three deer along the way. One of the trail highlights is a 200 foot long boardwalk through a cedar swamp. Later we learned the materials were flown in by helicopter. The boardwalk allows you to view yellow birch, basswood, and cedar trees. Just when you need to sit and rest you come to the little opening of a sheltered Lake, known as Stub Lake. Off to your left is a short trail that leads to the bird viewing platform nestled in a wetland environment. Then you simply follow the trail back. While at the campground please keep your dogs on leashes and avoid the west shoreline of Stub Lake, as most of this shoreline is privately owned. Total trail approximately 3 miles. So get out there and hike, and enjoy the outdoors.
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New Items from the Boundary Waters Catalog
 
The SteriPEN
SteriPEN Classic Ultraviolet Light Handheld Water Purifier
THE Ultraviolet Light Solution is ideal for Travelers, Backpackers, Outdoorspeople and Emergency Use. No other handheld water treatment system matches SteriPEN's combination of speed, light weight, ease of use, and effectiveness. Find out more about this innovative and easy to use product:
http://www.boundarywaterscatalog.com/browse.cfm/4,6451.htm
$99.95
For more technical information about SteriPEN including frequently asked questions, please follow this link to the Boundary Waters Catalog related information:
http://www.boundarywaterscatalog.com/browse.cfm/6,6452.html
The SteriPEN Pre-filter
SteriPEN Classic Ultraviolet Light Handheld Water Purifier
SteriPEN Water Bottle PRE-FILTER
Filters out Particulates. 4 Micron Screen. Removes Glacial Silt. Fits and stores on wide-mouth water bottles. Find out more about this innovative and easy to use product:
http://www.boundarywaterscatalog.com/browse.cfm/4,6453.htm
$12.95
The Classic SAFE WATER SYSTEM
SteriPEN Classic Ultraviolet Light Handheld Water Purifier
SAFE WATER SYSTEM comes with SteriPEN, Water Bottle Pre-Filter, 1 32 ox. Water Bottle, user guide and neoprene carrying case. Requires 4 AA batteries (not included). Find out more about this innovative and easy to use product:
http://www.boundarywaterscatalog.com/browse.cfm/4,6452.htm
$119.95
SMOKEY THE BEAR WOOL HAT
Finally, it's here. The one and only Smokey the Bear Hat, also affectionately known as the Campaign, Drill Sargent, Park Ranger or Mountie Hat. Made of 100% wool and manufactured right here in the good ole USA, this hat will keep the sun off your face, the rain from drenching your head, and make you look one of a kind, at the same time.
http://www.boundarywaterscatalog.com/browse.cfm/4,6450.htm
$40.00
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Guided Wilderness Trips have openings - Call this week 1-800-223-6565 ask for Bert or Drew
Women’s Wilderness Trip – September 13-16 has space available
http://www.piragis.com/outfitting/womensguidedcanoetrip.html
Boundary Waters Artist Trip – September 1-7 has space available
http://www.piragis.com/outfitting/boundarywatersarttrip.html
Autumn Colors Trip – September 22-28 has space available
http://www.piragis.com/outfitting/autumncolorscanoetrip.html
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Low Fares now for Costa Rica, save money and book your next Adventure with Worldwide Paddling Adventures and Kim McCluskey today:
Our friend George from Costa Rica just sent us a "heads up"email:
Hi Kim and Steve,
Just a thought, we recently have been seeing roundtrip airfares from NY to Costa Rica for $220 which is the best we have ever seen!
Ciao,
George"
From the Desk of Kim McCluskey:
"Bounce through Costa Rica on a fun filled 12 day adventure that takes you to all the best paddling destinations in this eco-friendly nation. The trip is a combination of warm whitewater rivers in the interior where monkeys and sloth hang from the trees, to placid lagoons near the coast filled with the sights and sounds of tropical birds.
Starting high in the central valley we'll overnight in the capital of San Jose and head right out the next morning to paddle the Class I and exciting Class II Rio Puerto Viejo, ending up at the Sarapiqui Jungle Lodge. It will be a fast paced week with visits to an active volcano (no paddling here), a biological station, two hot springs and several remote jungle lodges.
Our 12 day tour ends on the white sand beaches of Playa Conchal where we'll see the leatherback turtles nesting before heading back to San Jose for a farewell dinner overlooking the entire central valley. Jump on for the ride and let's explore Costa Rica together by canoe."
We are looking for more people to go on this wonderful adventure. The dates are January 7 -18, 2008. Call Kim at 1-800-6474 or 218- 365-4297 for more information.
Cost $2950
Kim McCluskey
Owner/Explorer
Worldwide Paddling Adventures
www.worldwidepaddlingadventures.com
14054 Fall Lake Rd
Ely, Mn 55731
800-957-6474
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New Kevlar, Royalex and Folding Canoes for Sale:
New Kayaks and Folding Kayaks for Sale:
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"Ely - Winton, Jewels of the Boundary Waters" New Historical DVD
It has excellent cinematography. The dialogue moves quickly and holds the interest. I think it is a winner." Steve Piragis
http://www.boundarywaterscatalog.com/browse.cfm/4,6449.html
DVD. Ely - Winton: Jewels of the Boundary Waters.
This film accurately depicts the history of the Ely-Winton area. Viewers will be impressed with the landscape as they learn the background behind the mines and forests of northern Minnesota." Ely-Winton Historical Society
From the early days of the native Americans to the modern era of tourism, discover the history of our area for yourselves.
82 min by Joe Narusiewicz
To reserve canoes or trip and route planning for this summer please email us, Bert Heep or Drew Brockett or call us at 1-800-223-6565. We can set you up with canoes, permits, gear, whatever you need, including full outfitting for 1 person or for a large group and any size in between.
Thanks to our Newsletter Sponsors Below!
Piragis Northwoods Company, Ely Minnesota, 1-800-223-6565
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