Outdoor Recreation Groups to Host Boaters Day at the Georgia Capitol

Georgia Rivers and outdoor recreation partners are hosting Boaters Day on February 12th at the Georgia Capitol.

Atlanta, GA, February 4, 2026 – A coalition of outdoor recreation groups representing thousands of boaters across Georgia will rally Feb. 12 at the Georgia State Capitol to urge legislators to protect Georgia’s outdoor recreation heritage and record-setting tourism economy by supporting policies that keep the state’s rivers and streams accessible to the public. 

The Freedom to Float Coalition, consisting of Georgia Rivers, Georgia Canoeing Association (GCA), Tennessee Valley Canoe Club (TVCC), American Whitewater (AW) and American Canoe Association (ACA), encourages boaters to attend the free event and speak with their legislators. 

Boaters Day begins at 7 a.m. in the Capitol with a meet-and-greet breakfast with legislators. Attendees will then be briefed on freedom to float issues by a panel of experts at 8:30 and then meet with their state senators and representatives between 9 a.m. and Noon.

The purpose of the event is to educate legislators about Georgia’s outdoor recreation industry and the importance of protecting public access to the state’s rivers and streams. Interested parties can learn more and register for the event at https://garivers.org/event/boaters-day/ or call 706-409-0128 for more information. 

The Freedom to Float Coalition asserts that the ability to float down streams supports the state’s outdoor recreation economy and record-setting tourism industry. 

“Over the last three decades we’ve seen an uptick in the number of cases where landowners are asserting what they believe is their right to stop the public from floating down streams,” said Rena Peck, Georgia Rivers executive director, “These situations are a product of Georgia’s vague and ambiguous policies on where we can legally boat and they are making property owners think they can take a public resource and turn it into a private commodity.” 

The Freedom to Float Coalition asserts that the “right of passage”—the right to float down any stream capable of floating vessels–has been part of Georgia’s legal tradition since statehood and in the modern era the ability to float down streams supports the state’s outdoor recreation economy and record-setting tourism industry. 

Neighboring states, including Tennessee, North Carolina, South Carolina and Florida all have policies affirming the public’s right to float down streams capable of supporting recreational watercraft like canoes and kayaks, in large part because of the importance of outdoor recreation tourism to local economies.  

During the past three legislative sessions, legislators have grappled with where the public can boat, fish and hunt on the state’s streams. In 2023, a measure supported by Gov. Brian Kemp was adopted, declaring that Georgians had the right to boat, fish and hunt on all of the state’s navigable streams. 

However, boating advocates contend that the “right of passage” is not dependent upon the state’s definition of “navigable streams.” That definition determines streambed ownership. On non-navigable streams, stream-front property owners possess the stream bed to the center line of the stream. That ownership has implications for hunting and fishing rights, but does not preclude boaters from passing down the stream, according to the Coalition. 

Throughout the 1800s, the Georgia General Assembly adopted laws to protect boating passage down streams because those waterways served as the state’s original highways. In 1849, the Georgia Supreme Court weighed in on the issue, declaring that the public had the right to float down any stream capable of supporting passage, regardless of stream bed ownership. This position was affirmed by the high court in the early 1900s, but in the 1990s, the Court, citing an 1863 definition of “navigable streams,” issued decisions that permitted property owners owning both sides of a non-navigable stream to block public passage down those streams.

“Georgia’s common law history is pretty clear: on any stream capable of floating a boat, there’s a public easement that permits passage,” said Peck.  “It’s the same as the sidewalk in front of your house. You can’t stop the public from using it. In the case of the state’s streams, if you can float it, you can boat it.” 

Georgia Rivers, also known as Georgia River Network, is a statewide non-profit river advocacy group with the mission to connect people with and protect Georgia’s rivers. Georgia Rivers is GA DNR’s non-profit river recreation partner coordinating the statewide water trails program and created the Georgia River Guide free mobile app.

American Whitewater is a national non-profit river conservation organization with the mission to protect and restore America’s whitewater rivers and to enhance opportunities to enjoy them safely. 

American Canoe Association is a national non-profit organization that serves the broader paddling public by providing educational programs, supporting stewardship initiatives that affect paddlers and offering competition opportunities for athletes of all abilities. 

Georgia Canoeing Association is a non-profit organization that promotes public river access, boating safety and canoeing and kayaking opportunities across the state. 

Tennessee Valley Canoe Club is a 501(c)(7) organization based in Chattanooga/North Georgia that brings together a diverse population of people who are interested in canoeing, kayaking, and related activities; to increase the knowledge, safety, and appreciation of paddle sports; and to support conservation and preservation of recreational waterways.

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For More Information:

Joe Cook, Paddle Georgia Program Coordinator (joe@garivers.org)

About Georgia Rivers:

Georgia Rivers is a statewide 501c3 organization with the mission to protect and connect people with Georgia rivers. Georgia Rivers serves as Georgia DNR’s non-profit partner running the Georgia Water Trails Network, creating river maps and guides and providing the free Georgia River Guide mobile app. Georgia Rivers connects people to Georgia rivers by hosting paddle trips across the state, including the signature week-long Paddle Georgia camping adventure hosted on a different Georgia river each year; and by conducting kayak training and safety classes. Georgia Rivers also serves as fiscal sponsor of the Okefenokee Protection Alliance, Georgia Outdoor Recreation Coalition and Georgia Water Coalition.

Visit garivers.org to learn more about paddle trips, water trails and ways you can protect Georgia rivers.