110 



Appendix H 



APPENDIX H 



REGIONAL RIVER RECREATION OPPORTUNITIES 



Providing for a variety of river recreation opportunities is an important aspect of managing rivers on 

 a regional basis. Due to the variety of opportunities provided by the Snalce River setting, recreational 

 demand for these opportunities and specific guidelines of the HCNRA Act, managing for the intended 

 recreation experience has become a significant issue. Alternatives for similar river recreation opportu- 

 nities for established uses is a component of determining levels of access. The Forest Service has 

 determined, from a regional perspective, it is desirable to provide a spectrum of river recreation 

 opportunities (reference analysis file). 



In comparing the availability of recreation opportunities within the Snake River corridor with other 

 rivers in the region, the comparison should be based on the availability of a similar type of experience 

 in order to meet visitors expectations including the following: 



• River classification 



- Degree of difficulty (class) of rapids 



• Accessibility for established user groups (float, powerboat, trail, aircraft) including river recre- 

 ationists who are physically challenged 



The analysis area for determining regional river recreation opportunities is the Pacific Northwest 

 including Idaho, Oregon, Washington, and Montana While British Columbia may provide additional 

 river recreation opportunities, it was not considered in this analysis since it lies outside of the United 

 States. A more location-specific area for analyzing opportunities for river recreation was based on 

 using Pittsburg Landing as a focal point since it approximates a centralized point on the river on which 

 to examine regional opportunities for access to Federally classified rivers. 



As a result of this analysis, several factors were identified including: 



- User origin. The majority of private floaters that are applicants and/or trip leaders for float 

 launches on the Snake River are from within the region. A zip code analysis for private 

 powerboaters shows an identical trend (reference analysis file). Although not analyzed, recre- 

 ation involving commercial floating and powertxsating is known to include local, regional, 

 national, and international clientele. An assumption is that a high percentage of recreationists 

 who are trail users and aircraft users are of local and regional origin. 



- Within approximately 100 air miles of Pittsburg Landing are the launch and takeout locations 

 not only for the Snake River but for the Main Salmon, Middle Fork of the Salmon, and the 

 Selway Rivers. These four major rivers are among the most popular Whitewater rivers in the 

 country for float use, which has resulted in a limited launch allocation to address recreational 

 demand. These rivers represent one of the best examples of providing a range of river 

 recreation opportunity on a regional basis from a true wilderness opportunity (Selway - one 

 float launch per day) to motorized access (Snake). They collectivety provide one of the best 

 examples on a regional basis of the intent of Congress that rivers classified as wild encompass 

 a very broad spectrum of uses and access in areas with adjoining wilderness. 



- Within approximately 1 50 air miles of Pittsburg Landing are the major population centers of the 

 region that provide a majority of private powerboating use to Hells Canyon. These population 

 centers include: 



H-1 



