Thomas D. Blue Represents American Whitewater
Ellis & Winters partner Thomas D. Blue successfully represented American Whitewater in a contested case that challenged the rights of the public to recreate on sections of the Boone Fork and Watauga River in North Carolina.
The case initially involved a dispute between a homeowners’ association and the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission. Early in the proceedings, the homeowners’ association obtained a temporary restraining order limiting use of the public waterway. American Whitewater intervened in the case on the issues of navigability and public trust rights. Thereafter, the initial order was amended to state that “this Order is not intended to, and does not, prohibit or limit navigation of the stream segments by individuals in kayaks or other recreation watercraft.” Mr. Blue and Ellis & Winters handled the case pro-bono for American Whitewater.
American Whitewater’s goal is to ensure that our nation’s remaining wild and free-flowing rivers stay that way, and that the public has access to rivers for recreation.
Tom Blue focuses his practice primarily in commercial real estate. He also served as the firm’s chief financial officer and on its management committee for over fifteen years. Tom’s lifelong interest in kayaking, rafting, and canoeing is complementary to his work in the legal field. He has been assessing risk and choosing appropriate outcomes at the highest level for his entire life, as a whitewater rafting guide and as an attorney.