161 



There is no legal support whatsoever for the contention that jet boating is or should 

 be a preferred or dominant use in Hells Canyon. H.R. 2568 would therefore not only 

 change the legal status quo, it would completely revise statutory management 

 priorities for the Snake River. 



This characterization of jet boater ownership provides an indication of who, in this 

 long debate over Snake River management, is reasonable and who is radical. The 

 Hells Canyon Preservation Council has worked for 30 years to protect the scenic 

 beauty, free-flowing streams, fish and wildlife, and natural attributes of Hells 

 Canyon that are enjoyed by jet boaters as much as other citizens. We do not know of 

 the jet boat associations engaging in any substanhal activity to protect the scenic 

 integrity or natural values of Hells Canyon. Their primary activity is to protect and 

 promote preferred recreational access for jet boaters. Yet HCPC supports controlled 

 jet boat use on the majority of the Snake Wild and Scenic River. 



Given that, we find it unsettling to say the least that our 2,200 members, as well as 

 scores of other recreationists, are being told to go somewhere else if we'd like some 

 relief from jet boat impacts. We would hope that the Congress would concur that 

 all citizens deserve at least some consideration for the kind of experience that they 

 seek in Hells Canyon. 



As is described in Sechon FV of this testimony, the Forest Service plan locks in the 

 jet boat use levels that have built up in the absence of legally required controls over 

 jet boat numbers. It accommodates the jet boat constituency by providing its idea of 

 river management, the "shared use" concept, on 98.1 percent of the time and space 

 on the river. Yet the jet boat lobby has railed against the fact that they are not 

 receiving 100 percent. We remain astounded that the jet boat lobby is unwilling to 

 make even the slightest sacrifice to accommodate the people who would prefer a 

 nonmotorized experience in Hells Canyon. 



MYTH #4: The Snake River is not a wilderness river, therefore no wilderness 

 atmosphere or experience should be provided 



Characterization of the Snake Wild and Scenic River as being a "multiple use" river 

 that is not a "wilderness river" is based on an unsubstantiated interpretation of law. 

 In fact, there are strong indications in applicable law that a wilderness atmosphere 

 or experience should be provided, as stated above in Myth #3. 



The HCNRA Act supersedes the Multiple Use Sustained Yield Act, and prioritizes 

 the protection of natural values over other management considerations. The 

 HCNRA, and the Snake River, designated under the National Wild and Scenic 

 Rivers Act, are therefore not "multiple use" areas. 



It IS true that the Snake River is not included within the Hells Canyon Wilderness 

 Area, which extends down to the Wild and Scenic River corridor boundary for 51 



Tesbmony of HCPC on River Management 



