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fatality associated with the boating activity. Every year power boaters, 

 commercial and private, assist or rescue floaters involved in accidents or medical 

 emergencies. The Forest Service has no records of any incidents involving a jet 

 boat hitting a float craft while running on the river in Hells Canyon or the other 

 two major rivers these craft share, Idaho's Salmon and Oregon's Rogue. The 

 Snake in Hells Canyon is a large river and has proven to be safe and enjoyable for 

 both rafters and power boaters who are willing to respect each other. 



A letter written to one of my customers by River Ranger Roy Lombardo says a 

 lot for the versatility, adaptability and safety of jet boats, based on the Forest 

 Service's own experience (copy is attached). He says, "In my opinion, welded 

 aluminum commercial jet powered vessels provide one of the safest modes of 

 river navigation available." 



Conunercial Use 



Traveling through Hells Canyon by power boat is an experience of a lifetime. 

 Part of the attraction is the adrenalin rush of challenging major rapids, with their 

 enormous waves, rocks and and drops. Part is the humbling nature of the land 

 itself--the canyon walls and awesome heights. It also offers a chance to get close 

 to nature and learn about the forces that formed North America's deepest riverine 

 canyon, its fish, animals, plants, prehistory and history. Jet boating is the 

 preferred method of access to Hells Canyon's Snake River; excluding Lower 

 Salmon floaters, who enter the recreation area for only a short distance, about 

 80% of those who boat in Hells Canyon choose to do it by power boat. 



Commercial power boats faciUtate enjoyment of the canyon in a safe, convenient 

 and inexpensive manner with virtually no impact on the canyon's resources. This 

 is the only way many visitors could ever experience a remote white water river 

 canyon. The typical one day tour from the Lewiston, Idaho area leaves around 

 7:30 AM. The river, its history, geology, flora and fauna are interpreted as the 

 boat passes up river. The first land stop is at a hardened site for coffee and 

 snacks, such as the Cache Creek Ranch portal, with its toilets, lawns and picnic 

 tables. The boats also have on-board rest rooms. The next stop is at another 

 hardened site, such as the Kirkwood Historic Ranch, for a tour and lunch. They 

 then proceed up river to the tum-aroimd point, usually Rush Creek, Granite 

 Creek or Hells Canyon Dam. This leg is where the passengers experience the 

 deepest canyon, major rapids, important geologic and cultural features, the most 

 spectacular scenery and the real historic Hells Canyon. The trip back to Lewiston 

 usually involves two stops, one at a beach for swimming and at Buffalo Eddy, a 

 rock art site on private land and well out of the HCNRA. They pull into the dock 

 at 5 to 6 PM. 



