[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 171 (Wednesday, November 1, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2090]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 HELLS CANYON NATIONAL RECREATION AREA

                                 ______


                            HON. WES COOLEY

                               of oregon

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, November 1, 1995

  Mr. COOLEY. Mr. Speaker, today I am introducing legislation to 
correct an unfortunate problem for motorized river craft operators in 
the Hells Canyon National Recreation Area [HCNRA]. To fully explain the 
reason for my legislation, I would like to provide a little background 
on the situation in the HCNRA.
  Nearly 20 years ago, on December 31, 1975, President Gerald Ford 
signed Public Law 94-199, which designated the HCNRA. The stated 
purpose of this law was to ``assure that the natural beauty, 
historical, and archeological values of the Hells Canyon area and the 
71-mile segment of the Snake River between Hells Canyon Dam and the 
Oregon-Washington border, together with certain portions of its 
tributaries and adjacent lands, are preserved for this and future 
generations, and that the recreational and ecologic values and public 
enjoyment of the area are thereby enhanced.''
  Section seven of this act instructs the Secretary to ``administer the 
recreation area in accordance with the laws, rules, and regulations 
applicable to the national forests for public outdoor recreation'' in a 
manner compatible with seven listed objectives. In addition, section 10 
of this act instructs the Secretary to promulgate such rules and 
regulations as he deems necessary to accomplish purposes of the act, 
including ``provision for the control of the use and number of 
motorized and nonmotorized river craft: Provided, That the use of such 
craft is hereby recognized as a valid use of the Snake River within the 
recreation area.''
  Considering this, the language is very clear and straight forward. 
Unfortunately, however, the original intent of the act--including the 
compromises and promises that fostered its passage--seem to have been 
forgotten and/or confused.
  Throughout both the process leading to designation of the HCNRA and 
the ensuing management planning efforts, the USDA's Forest Service--
managing agency--has exhibited a disturbing prejudice against motorized 
river craft in the HCNRA. This bias first surfaced in hearings leading 
to the designation of the HCNRA, then later in a Comprehensive 
Management Plan that had to be overruled on appeal by then Assistant 
Secretary of Agriculture Crowell, and most recently by Wallowa-Whitman 
National Forest Supervisor Robert Richmond in an effort to revise the 
river management plan.
  During HCNRA hearings in 1975, then Assistant Secretary of 
Agriculture Long testified regarding a proposed amendment that would 
authorize the Department of Agriculture to prohibit jet boats. He noted 
that there were ``times when boating perhaps should be prohibited 
entirely.'' Senator Church responded to this unfavorably, explaining:

       I think you may have given the present use of the river and 
     the fact that access to it for many people who go into the 
     canyon, if not the majority, is by the river, and jet boats 
     have been found to be the preferred method of travel by a 
     great many people who have gone into the canyon. This is a 
     matter of such importance that Congress itself should decide 
     what the guidelines would be with respect to regulation of 
     traffic on the river and that the discretion ought not to 
     be left entirely to the administrative agencies.

  Consequently, the amendment failed, thus indicating that Congress 
expressly disapproved of the actions proposed in the amendment.
  In spite of the lack of any demonstrable resource problems, and in 
the face of overwhelming public support for motorized river craft, the 
Forest Service continues in its attempt to provide solely a 
nonmotorized experience by proposing to close the heart of the canyon 
to motorized river craft for 3 days a week in July and August. This is 
the peak of the recreation season, and this action severely limits 
motorized access to the rest of the river. In response to the numerous 
appeals received by the regional forester in adamant opposition to this 
effort, a stay on this ominous proposal was granted for the 1995 
season. The 1996 season is just around the corner, and this predicament 
requires justified legislative relief.
  The Snake River is different than most of those in the Wild and 
Scenic River system, for the diversity that it provides makes it 
particularly precious to the American people. The Snake is a high-
volume river with a long and colorful history of use by motorized river 
craft. The first paying passengers to go up through its rapids on a 
motor boat made their journey on the 110-foot Colonel Wright in 1865. 
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers began blasting rocks and improving 
channels in 1903, and they worked continuously until 1975 to make the 
river safer for navigation.
  Today the vast majority of people--over 80 percent--who recreate in 
the Hells Canyon segment of the Snake River access it by motorized 
river craft. Some of these are private boaters, and others travel with 
commercial operators on scenic tours. This access is accomplished with 
a minimum of impact to the river, the land, or the resources. The Hells 
Canyon portion of the Snake River is our Nation's premier whitewater 
powerboating river.
  The use of motorized river craft is deeply interwoven with the 
history, traditions, and culture of Hells Canyon. It was for this 
reason that Congress left a nonwilderness corridor for the entire 
length of the river. Likewise, Congress clearly intended that both 
motorized and nonmotorized river craft were valid uses of the entire 
river within the recreation area for the full year. It was clearly not 
the intent of Congress to allow the managing agency to decide that one 
valid use would prevail over the other, as the Forest Service has 
proposed.
  In light of the pending proposal to severely curtail powerboat 
operation in the HCNRA, I believe the practical and permanent 
resolution to this predicament is to clarify congressional intent in 
Public Law 94-199 in a manner that will preclude any future 
misunderstanding. This is what I propose to do with the legislation I 
am introducing today.
  Thank you, and I urge my colleagues' support of this solid endeavor.

                          ____________________