Disabled veterans to float Utah rivers under..

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The national non-profit Disabled Sports USA and the Bureau of Land Management have renewed a memorandum of understanding that allows wounded military veterans to float the Colorado, Green and San Juan rivers in Utah this year and next.

Six of Disabled Sports USA's chapters – Adaptive Adventures, Adaptive Sports Association, Breckenridge Outdoor Education Center, Challenge Aspen, Colorado Discover Ability, and Team River Runner – are collaborating with BLM Utah's Moab, Monticello, and Price field offices to organize the river trips, according to the BLM.

Disabled Sports USA was established in 1967 by disabled Vietnam veterans to serve those injured in war. It offers sports rehabilitation programs to anyone with a permanent disability through its national network of more than 100 chapters in 38 states.

The BLM and Disabled Sports USA previously had a national memorandum of understanding, and that paved the way for the memo pertaining to Utah rivers.

"The renewed agreement between BLM Utah and Disabled Sports USA highlights the important role our public lands and waterways can play in supporting the reintegration of our nation's combat troops," said Juan Palma, BLM Utah State Director, according to a news release.

Kirk Bauer, executive director of Disabled Sports USA and a disabled Vietnam veteran, said, "This represents a wonderful opportunity to enjoy healthy, outdoor activities in one of the most scenic states in the U.S.A."

Kristen Moulton

kmoulton@sltrib.com

Disabled veterans to float Utah rivers under new agreement