41 



This decision impacts not just 19 powerboaters and outfitters. It 

 impacts the American public who come to see that canyon, and if 

 they shut those people out, we will suffer for years and years, and 

 there is no reason to do it, because it is really needless if they shut 

 out the American public. 



We are determined to continue to work with the Forest Service 

 in whatever manner possible, so if they need more information, I 

 guarantee you, we will get it to them. 



Mrs. Chenoweth. Thank you. I appreciate that, and I would 

 hope that both you and Mr. Richmond will keep this committee 

 posted with regards to the progress that you have in working to- 

 gether. 



Ms. Mitchell Thank you. I will take the liberty of making that 

 commitment for Mr. Richmond. 



Mrs. Chenoweth. Can you tell me what types of limitations 

 powerboaters would be willing to submit under 



Ms. Mitchell. I will give you a word, and it is going to be ge- 

 neric, and there will be those who will question, but I will tell you 

 right now, we will accept reasonable limitations. We truly will. 



This has never been about unreasonable use or unlimited use of 

 Jetboats. We go to that canyon for the same reason most of the 

 floaters go, and that is for a primitive, back country experience. We 

 don't want bumper-to-bumper Jetboats or bumper-to-bumper float- 

 ers. 



We want to have reasonable use, and we truly believe that we 

 can achieve those numbers. We have agreed on two occasions to 

 limit our use. The only reason there is no limit on Jetboats in Hells 

 Canyon is because the Forest Service keeps throwing our agree- 

 ments down in the garbage. 



They have walked away from our agreements. We make the 

 agreements; they walk away. They did it in 1980; they did it in the 

 LAC. 



We still stand ready to accept reasonable limitations, and I give 

 you the word of all those people out there in Hells Canyon who use 

 and love that canyon that they will accept those limits. 



Mrs. Chenoweth. When we talk about access and the impact on 

 the river, in the average Jetboat, how many people usually are in 

 that boat? 



Ms. Mitchell. I think it about 3.2, about the size of the National 

 American family. 



Mrs. Chenoweth. And how many people are usually in the 

 rafts? 



Ms. Mitchell. Well, the rafters do have restrictions on the 

 upper 16 miles of the river at their request. They went to the For- 

 est Service and said regulate it, we have too many floating the 

 river and not enough campsites. 



Right now, they have five launches a day, 30 boats and 30 people 

 in each launch. The plan calls for five launches a day with eight 

 boats and 24 people, I believe. 



Mrs. Chenoweth. Per outfitter, per rafter? 



Ms. Mitchell. Five launches a day. Three of those launches are 

 commercial 



Mr. Bentz. Three are private. 



