19 



as we would manage raising a timber harvest or any other resource 

 use in a National Recreation Area. 



Mr. Richardson. In terms of powerboaters versus what are 

 called nonmotorized users, would you say that your plan has a cer- 

 tain balance? 



Mr. Richmond. We think so. If you talk to some powerboaters, 

 they don't think so. 



Mr. Richardson. Mr. Chairman, again, thank you for letting me 

 ask my questions. I am glad that Mr. Lyons is here. 



Mr. Hansen. Thank you, Mr. Richardson. We all appreciate the 

 honor of your presence. 



Is there a second round here? Mrs. Chenoweth. 



Mrs. Chenoweth. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Richmond, I 

 have some questions for you, but before I get into that, I wish the 

 gentleman from Michigan had stayed around, because his com- 

 ments with regards to the Federal Government being able to re- 

 strict activities on the river were specifically excluded in the Hells 

 Canyon National Recreation Act wherein, and I want this made 

 very clear on the record, wherein Section 6 states that no provision 

 of the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act nor of this act nor any guide- - 

 lines, rules or regulations issued hereunder shall in any way re- 

 strict or conflict with present and future use of the waters of the 

 Snake River and its tributaries upstream from the boundaries of 

 the Hells Canyon National Recreation Area created hereby for ben- 

 eficial users, whether consumptive or nonconsumptive, and I think 

 that is pretty clear. 



I don't think there is any doubt left in that language. 



Mr. Thomas. It is out of context, madame. 



Mrs. Chenoweth. Pardon me? 



Mr. Thomas. It is out of context. 



Mrs. Chenoweth. I don't think you can take this language out 

 of context. I think it is very clear, and if you feel that it is out of 

 context, then let me see what your opinion is. 



I have studied the law, and I don't think that this is out of con- 

 text at all. 



Mr. Richmond, you stated that you did a survey with regard to 

 use of activities on the river. You couched your answers with re- 

 gards to a survey very interestingly; however, I have a copy of your 

 report which was supposed to be part of your environmental impact 

 statement. It is chapter 3, titled affected environment of your own 

 report, and this report states that about 78 percent of surveyed 

 visitors, that means people outside of Idaho, surveyed visitors felt 

 the presence of powerboats on the river was not a major problem, 

 and about 85 percent felt noise from powerboaters was not a major 

 problem. Recreationalists are generally satisfied with the amount 

 and mix of activity on the river and also feel a need to regulate use 

 to maintain the quality of the experience. That is your own study. 



Also, the Forest Service reported that, and this is the premier 

 Whitewater powerboating river in the United States, and it is one 

 of the few areas available for powerboaters to travel in a back 

 country setting into the main rapids. So you can see why this Com- 

 mittee and the Congress get a little concerned when we see by pub- 

 lic policy, you are trying to change the clear objective of the law. 



