[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 66 (Tuesday, May 6, 2003)]
[Senate]
[Page S5786]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. CRAIG.
  S. 1003. A bill to clarify the intent of Congress with respect to the 
continued use of established commercial outfitter hunting camps on the 
Salmon River; to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
  Mr. CRAIG. Mr. President I rise to introduce legislation that will 
remove any ambiguity as to the intent of the Central Idaho Wilderness 
Act of 1980 to provide for continuation of the historical use of 
outfitter hunting camps on the Salmon River. In short, these lodges 
were established well before the river designation, have been managed 
as a part of the river designation for 23 years and allow users, in 
particular the elderly and the physically challenged, to have access to 
and enjoy the spirit of this wild area. Their rustic nature upholds the 
ideals envisioned by Congress, and they are used in accordance with all 
provisions of the law.
  I am mystified as to why someone would want to eliminate this 
historical use. However, that is what some extreme wilderness 
organizations would like to do. They want the Forest Service and the 
Courts to ignore the intent of Congress in establishing the Central 
Idaho Wilderness Act and re-establish a pristine area which blocks 
access to many current users.
  In the Findings Section of the Central Idaho Wilderness Act, it is 
clearly stated that ``protection can be provided--to the Salmon River--
without conflicting with established uses.'' It is my understanding 
that a great deal of time and effort was put into crafting this 
designation so that established and historic uses of the area would be 
maintained while preserving one of our Nation's treasures--the River of 
No Return.
  In reading the voluminous hearing record and report language, I found 
references to ``lodges,'' ``hunting lodges,'' ``outfitters lodges,'' 
and ``commercial services may be performed'' throughout the record. It 
is clear to me that Senator Church, of Idaho, the main proponent of the 
legislation, intended for these lodges to remain. The report language 
specifically states, ``We favor administration of the main Salmon River 
under the provisions of the Wild and Scenic River Act so as to permit 
continuation, as appropriate, of motorized travel on the river and 
outfitter and camping facilities.''
  However, I believe the record shows Senator McClure of Idaho was more 
of a prophet when he stated, ``Whether it is this year, next year, or 5 
years from now, or 10 years from now, some forest administrator in the 
area is going to say it would be a lot more convenient for us to manage 
that problem if we did not have to deal with that guy that is there. . 
. . We all know that it was intended for the wild and scenic river 
classification as attached to that river, that the existing use was 
going to be permitted to continue; and then, all of a sudden, we find 
out that that is now unacceptable.''
  Senator McClure is off by only 20 years and it is not a forest 
administrator, but an extreme wilderness organization that is seeking 
the elimination of these well established lodges.
  This legislation clarifies that these three specific lodges are an 
established and historical use in the Central Idaho Wilderness Act and 
should remain a part of the legacy of this great river.
  I ask unanimous consent that the text of the bill be printed in the 
Record.
  There being no objection, the bill was ordered to be printed in the 
Record, as follows:

                                S. 1003

       Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of 
     Representatives of the United States of America in Congress 
     assembled,
       Section 1. Section 3(a)(24) of P.L. 90-542 (16 U.S.C. Sec. 
     1274) is amended to add the following after paragraph (C) and 
     redesignate subsequent paragraphs accordingly:
       ``(D) The established use and occupancy of lands and 
     maintenance or replacement of facilities and structures for 
     commercial recreation services at Stub Creek located in 
     Section 28, T24N, R14E, Boise Principal Meridian, at Arctic 
     Creek located in Section 21, T25N, R12E, Boise Principal 
     Meridian and at Smith Gulch located in Section 27, T25N, 
     R12E, Boise Principal Meridian shall continue to be 
     authorized, subject to such reasonable regulation as the 
     Secretary deems appropriate, including rules that would 
     provide for termination for non-compliance, and if 
     terminated, reoffering the site through a competitive 
     process.''
                                 ______