139 



power boaters. Much of the power boat use took place in sections of the river below 

 Rush Creek where neither power or float use is restricted. 



When total annual figures are considered, power boating dominates river use even 

 more. Data for private floating isn't available for the entire 1992 calendar year. How- 

 ever, we do have annual data for commercial use. Commercial power boaters brought 

 27,230 people into the HCNRA in 1992 (92% of the total commercial passengers) for 

 31,731 service days. This compares with 2,516 Hells Canyon commercial float pas- 

 sengers for 6,815 service days (doesn't include the Lower Salmon floaters). 



Economic Impacts 



Any change in management of the Snake River in the HCNRA that reduces access 

 by powered craft will have impacts that reverberate through the surrounding commu- 

 nities. The most obvious effects will be to the 19 commercial outfitters who make 

 their living taking passengers into the canyon. The boat manufacturers and related 

 industries will also be damaged. Manufacturers of pumps, marine engines and trail- 

 ers, upholsterers, maintenance businesses, banks, advertisers, airlines, tour ships, 

 travel agents, restaurants, hotels, tackle shops and fuel suppliers will all suffer losses. 



The following is a rough and conservative estimate of the economic impact of 

 power boating, inadequate but better than the Forest Service did in their 1994 FEIS. A 

 new analysis of commercial operations is currently imder way that shows much higher 

 impacts; it is not complete enough at this time, however, to include here. 

 Commercial power boat outfitters : 



Gross revenues reported to the Forest Service for 1993 $1,992^565 



Estimated number of jobs 65 



Tourism businesses associated with commercial customers: 



The following figures are based on estimates developed by the Idaho Dept. 

 of Commerce. They found that the typical travel group entering Idaho spent an 

 average of $22.06 per day per person and stayed an average of 6.62 nights. 

 This gives an average expenditure per person of $146.04. This estimate is 

 likely low for the people who participate in the power boat related activities. 

 27,558 customers in 1993 x $146.04 = $4,024,570 



Private power boaters: 



No studies have been done to support revenues associated with private 

 boating. We know that the average party size is 3 persons in the regulated 

 season and that they stay an average of 2.9 days. They took 1 ,758 trips in the 

 1994 regulated season and operated their boats for about 25,491 hours. By 

 estimating fuel consumption, engine maintenance, amortization, transportation 

 costs, food costs and other expenses we were able to develop the figures below . 



Unregulated season use is somewhat different, focused largely on fishing 

 and hunting. In 1993 (the most recent figures available) private power boaters 



25 



