New floating plan set for upper Salmon River

BOISE – The Sawtooth National Recreation Area will utilize a new management plan for the upper Salmon River to help protect spawning salmon and clarify regulations for rafters and kayakers on the stretch.

It eases much of the friction that has existed between the agency and river outfitters since the mid-1990s.

“It seems more sensible to me,” said Erasmo Paolo of The River Company operating out of Stanley. “There’s enough research to show salmon spawn during a finite amount of time.”

The stretch is used by more than 10,000 boaters and anglers every summer.

Beginning in 1996, the Forest Service placed complex restrictions on boating beginning in August when chinook salmon arrive from the Pacific Ocean to spawn. The policy was required to meet the concerns of the National Marine Fisheries Service, which is responsible for salmon under the Endangered Species Act.

Female salmon build a redd, or nest, in gravel-bottom sections of the river and lay eggs. Males fertilize the eggs during a monthlong period that ends in September.

The fish are nearly spent by the time they reach the upper river. Disturbing them can cause them to use energy unnecessarily and fail to build the nests and spawn.

Outfitters were ordered to portage around the redds at certain times of the year. Some were charged with violating orders by boating through those areas. Private boaters floating through worsened the situation.

“Some defiant boaters would go down and everyone would be forced off the river,” Paolo said. “We organized a community monitor on the river to let people know they needed to do a portage.”

“Since 1996, we had been operating under a complex set of rules that proved cumbersome, expensive and unpredictable,” Recreation Area Ranger Sara Baldwin said Tuesday. “Our goal in revising the plan was to simplify management while providing ample recreation opportunities, protection for salmon and a greater degree of certainty for the floating public.”

The entire stretch in question runs from 100 yards below the Sawtooth Fish Hatchery in the Stanley Basin downriver about 30 miles to the eastern boundary of the recreation area. There are six permit holders for outfitted floatboating and four for outfitted fishing.

Under the plan, mandatory “quiet zones” will be set at the Indian Riffles and Torrey’s Hole spawning area on Aug. 15 of each year. In those areas, boaters must seek deep water well away from the redds, remain in their boats and minimize using paddles or oars. Spawning grounds outside those two areas will be identified with signs that require the same protections.

Boaters must portage around Indian Riffles and Torrey’s Hole from Aug. 29 through Sept. 2.

On Aug, 15, segments from Buckhorn to Stanley, Mormon Bend to Yankee Fork and at Torrey’s river access site to the eastern recreation area boundary will be closed to floating.

The entire 30-mile stretch from near the hatchery to the eastern boundary is shut down Sept. 3-29 and then reopened.

Free self-issued permits are required for non-outfitted private boaters.

Paolo said the outfitters lose three weeks in September, but they can plan their trips during open season to help compensate.

“In recent years, the month of August has been a difficult period for both river managers and users,” Baldwin said. “We believe this new approach will make it easier for everyone, including the salmon.”