150 



• prohibit the launching of inflatable watercraft from private 

 power boats in the wild river, year-round and in the scenic river on 

 Friday through Sunday, year-round 



• eliminate the use of kickers on noncommercial floatcraft in the 

 wild river year-round 



On January 12, 1996 Hells Canyon Preservation Council again filled suit to force 

 implementation of the management plan in 1996 boating season, including the power 

 boat limitations postponed by the Regional Forester until the fall of '96. In this suit all 

 but two floaters had dropped their support. However, several new organizations had 

 been induced to join into a fray they knew little to nothing about. These include the 

 National Organization for River Sports, Wilderness Watch, Rivers Council of Wash- 

 ington, American Whitewater Affiliation and Northwest Rafters Association. This 

 mean spirited suit also asked the court to impose limits on power boaters at their 1975 

 use level on the wild river and the 1978 use level for the scenic river. 



Legislation to Clarify Congressional Intent, S.1374 and H.B.2568 



On November 1, 1995 Senator Larry Craig, R-Idaho, and Congressman Wes 

 Cooley, R-Oregon, introduced companion bills in the Senate and House of Represen- 

 tatives that would, once and for all, settle the issue of shared use by boaters in Hells 

 Canyon. The bills were cosponsored by Senator Dirk Kempthome, R-Idaho, Con- 

 gressman Helen Chenoweth, R-Idaho, and George Nethercutt, R-Washington. 



Congress and the original supporters of the Hells Canyon National Recreation Area 

 Act thought it contained language adequate to protect both power and float craft uses. 

 It later became obvious, however, that the Act's validity provision was not sufficient. 

 The bill introduced November 1, 1995 will clarify Congressional intent, confirming 

 that both motorized and nonmotorized river craft will be permitted access to, and use 

 of, the entire river within the recreation area at all times of year. It establishes that use 

 will be allowed at levels not less than those of the past three years, recognizing daily 

 and seasonal use patterns. Finally, it provides for access to and from private property 

 in the usual and accustomed manner. 



The 1975 Hells Canyon Act recognized both motorized and nonmotorized river 

 craft as valid uses of the Snake River within the recreation area. However , in spite of 

 the validity language, the Forest Services consistently attempted with each of its man- 

 agement plans to eliminate power boats from a major section of the river for a signifi- 

 cant portion of the year. The latest plan slashed both private and commercial power 

 boating and threatened to devastate the many businesses built around this important 

 activity. -*" 



While the Regional Forester remanded the plan on appeal to the Wallowa- 

 Whitman's Forest Supervisor for further analysis, he left the door open to eliminate 



36 



