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Suit seeks jetboat cuts Groups want the craft reduced on the lower Rogue By PAUL FATTIG A coalition of river recreationalists and an environmental group is suing the U.S. Forest Service to force the agency to reduce jetboat use on the wild section of the lower Rogue River. The lawsuit, expected to be filed today in U.S. District Court in Medford, charges that the Forest Service allows jetboat trips on the roughly 12-mile section between Blossom Bar and Watson Creek to exceed amounts legally permitted in the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act. The plaintiffs say the motorized traffic harms the river environment for wildlife and humans. In addition to seeking restrictions of jetboat trips to levels allowed when the river section was dedicated wild under the 1968 law, the plaintiffs want the Forest Service to prepare a "proper" management plan. Plaintiffs include the Northwest Rafters Association, a recreational group known as Riverhawks and the Klamath Siskiyou Wildlands Center, an environmental group. "There are just too many jetboats down there now," said Lloyd Knapp, an Applegate Valley resident and member of the rafters association. "The Forest Service is required by law to limit the jetboats to the 1968 level. They aren�t doing that." Although plaintiffs say it�s difficult to pin down accurate numbers, they say the jetboat trips are three to four times that allowed in 1968 when there were 400 private and 60 commercial trips on that section of the river. "Some jetboat operators on the lower Rogue still treat others with courtesy, respect and politeness," Knapp said. "But many operate with increasing speed, arrogance and noise that is totally unacceptable." Last summer, a jetboat sped past his raft as he was pulling up to shore, sending the raft up into the rocks, he said. "That boat went by flat out � he didn�t slow down at all," he said. In another incident, a jetboat operator ignored river etiquette and came roaring up a narrow rapids that Knapp was coming down in his raft, he said. "It�s unfortunate that it has come to this, but the rudeness has gotten out of hand," he said, adding that jetboats are also much more powerful than they were in the 1960s. "We feel like there has been a chronic erosion of the �wild� nature of the wild section," said Joe Serres, spokesman for the wildlands center. "We are asking the number of trips to be reduced immediately." Dawn Boice, who, along with her husband, Court, are former jetboat tour company owners who operate Paradise Lodge in the wild section, was concerned over the potential impact of the lawsuit. They have been operating a business on the wild section for nearly 30 years. "We feel strongly about protecting the Rogue, but we also feel very strongly about protecting the rights of individuals," she said, noting that those rights allowing motorized craft were in place before the law was enacted. Moreover, the jetboats provide supplies and access for people who otherwise couldn�t come to the remote area, she said. "We feel it�s a good thing to have limits," she said, but added she felt trepidation over how the process would be handled. The 33-mile wild section on the river between Grave Creek and Watson Creek is administered by the Forest Service and by the Bureau of Land Management with the former administering the lower portion below Blossom Bar. Forest Service officials, although noting they have been abiding by regulations, declined to comment on the lawsuit. Jetboat users who ply the wild section of the lower river include two Gold Beach companies which provide jetboat tours, owners and employees of four lodges, eight private residents who have property up the river, fishing guides and other private citizens who acquire one of six permits sold daily. Permit holders, with the exception of those with property on the river, are only authorized to travel up to the pool immediately downstream from Blossom Bar. "I would imagine there has been some growth in tour boat business from the 1968 levels," said Jim Heck, recreational staff officer for the Rogue River and Siskiyou national forests. However, the agency didn�t have exact figures on how many jetboat trips are running this year. In addition to the motorized watercraft, the agencies allow 120 launches at Grave Creek per day of non-motorized craft during the annual float season beginning May 15 and ending Oct. 15. Reach reporter Paul Fattig at 776-4496 or e-mail him at [email protected] Mail Tribune Home | Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. | Dow Jones & Co., Inc. | Privacy | Contact Us Copyright � 2001 Mail Tribune, Inc.