35 



perience the deepest gorge, major rapids, and the real Hells Can- 

 yon. This costs from $85 to $95 per person, depending on the trip's 

 length, most ranging from 180 to 200 miles. 



My brother and I own private property on the Lower Salmon 

 River. The lodge there is used for family gatherings and my outfit- 

 ting business. We have always enjoyed free access to that property 

 via the Snake and Salmon Rivers, both serving as public highways 

 for over 100 years. 



In its latest management plan without talking to the landowners, 

 the Forest Service notified us that we would each be allowed one 

 trip per day to our property. This works fine some days, but when 

 we are carrying supplies or large groups, several boats or trips may 

 be required. One private lodge, operating a bed and breakfast in 

 the wild Snake River was virtually cut off from its customers by 

 this. 



While appeals have resulted in a review of the plan's private 

 land access provisions, there is no guarantee that a new version 

 will be any better. Some people want to deny me, my friends and 

 customers access to the river in spite of the language in the Hells 

 Canyon Act recognizing both powerboating and floating as valid 

 uses. 



The Forest Service attempted to prohibit us in 1981 and failed. 

 They attempted again in 1994 with a plan that eliminated 

 powerboats from the very heart of Hells Canyon for three days a 

 week at the height of the recreation season. The effect on commer- 

 cial powerboating is potentially devastating, like closing the doors 

 of J.C. Penney stores three days a week the month before Christ- 

 mas. 



This latest plan not only eliminates many businesses. Worse yet, 

 it makes second class citizens out of our clients denying them so 

 that another user group deemed more deserving can have an exclu- 

 sive experience. 



Powerboaters have always been willing to accept reasonable lim- 

 its on our use; however, we aren't willing to give up any portion 

 of the canyon for anyone's exclusive use. Of the Northwest's 35 

 wild and scenic river segments with Whitewater, powerboats are al- 

 lowed on only four, giving floaters exclusive use of 31. That is 

 enough. 



Thank you. 



[The prepared statement of Mr. Darell Bentz may be found at 

 the end of hearing.] 



Mrs. Chenoweth. Thank you, Mr. Bentz. Mrs. Mitchell. 



STATEMENT OF SANDRA F. MITCHELL, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, 

 HELLS CANYON ALLIANCE, BOISE, IDAHO 



Ms. Mitchell. Thank you. When proposed construction of dams 

 on the middle Snake River led to the passage of the Hells Canyon 

 National Recreation Area Act in 1975, floaters and powerboaters 

 worked together to see that the canyon was preserved. However, 

 many, including Idaho Senators Frank Church and James- A. 

 McClure, were concerned that powerboating, the traditional means 

 of access to the canyon for over 100 years, would come under at- 

 tack. 



