Statewide Tour Battles Snake River Restrictions Jetboaters Hope Campaign Will Generate Opposition To Forest Service Plan

Proposed restrictions on jetboat access in Hells Canyon would put a dent in a $60 million industry in Idaho, and could close a bed-and-breakfast in the gorge, powerboat supporters said Wednesday.

Members of the Hells Canyon Alliance stopped in Boise Wednesday as part of a statewide tour in opposition to the U.S. Forest Service’s plan, which bans jetboats from 21 miles of the wildest section of the Snake for 21 days each summer.

The plan also imposes limits for the first time on private jetboat use, limiting boaters to 18 launches a day on weekends and eight launches a day weekdays from the area’s northern boundary to Pittsburg Landing.

“I’ve never met a powerboater against all types of regulation in the canyon,” said Edie Riddle, who operates the Kirby Creek Lodge, the only private operation in the wild river-designated stretch. “We know shared use works.”

Art Seamans of the alliance said building the aluminum craft and boating represent a $60 million industry to Idaho, mainly in the Lewiston and Boise areas. He said there have been powerboats in the canyon since the 1860s, taking in the original paddleboats.

Riddle said cutting back on jetboat visitors in the busiest time of the year will force the closure of her business.

“This river has been how I get my mail, my groceries, for years,” she said. “Some people think returning to a primitive state means prehistoric.”

The jetboaters hope a $100,000 media campaign will generate opposition to the restrictions. The blitz is aimed at Regional Forester Robert Williams, who will decide on the appeals.

“We’re asking people to join our voice to turn up the volume and get some more political force behind us,” said Sandra Mitchell, alliance executive director. “There is no excuse for the Forest Service to ram this plan down the public’s throat.”

More than 60 appeals have been filed.

Forest Service officials contend the limits reflect a 30 percent increase from overall jetboat use in 1994, the year the first plan was released.

The plan departs from a citizen task force’s recommendations made four years ago that called for no limits downstream from Pittsburg Landing near White Bird, Mitchell said.