Arrow-right Camera
The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Craig Says Ban On Jet Boats Is Wrong, Seeks Repeal

Associated Press

Sen. Larry Craig said a Forest Service plan to ban jet boats from a stretch of the Snake River for 21 days each summer fails to recognize the law that created the Hells Canyon National Recreation Area.

Jet boaters would be banned from running a 21-mile wild stretch of the river from Kirkwood Historic Ranch upstream to Wild Sheep Rapids for seven three-day periods each summer under the new plan approved by Wallowa Whitman National Forest Supervisor Robert Richmond.

Craig said on Friday that fewer than 80 public comments from a total of about 240 favored what the Forest Service decided to do in its plan.

Selecting 21 days of non-use in the canyon puts a valuable economy in jeopardy and denies access to private property, he said.

“I don’t think that is acceptable,” Craig said. “I don’t think that was the intent.”

Craig said he would make every effort to move legislation through Congress next year to state clearly the right of motorized transportation to be on that part of the river.

He said he ran out of time to hold public hearings on the bill this year.

“This is a bill with consequences,” Craig said. “I’m not going to try to run it through at the last minute. What upsets me is the Forest Service appears to be in a game of oneupmanship.”