(a) Purpose. The rules of this subpart establish standards and guidelines for the protection and preservation of historic, archeological, and paleontological resources, the use of motorized and mechanical equipment, the use of motorized and non-motorized rivercraft, and the management, utilization, and disposal of natural resources by timber harvesting, mining and grazing on National Forest System lands that comprise the Hells Canyon National Recreation Area located in the Wallowa-Whitman, Nez Perce, and Payette National Forests in the States of Idaho and Oregon as established by the Act of December 31, 1975, as amended (89 Stat. 1117, 16 U.S.C. 460gg et seq.).

(b) Scope. Management of National Forest System lands within the Hells Canyon National Recreation Area is subject to all laws, rules, and regulations applicable to the national Forest System, except as otherwise provided in this subpart. In the event of a conflict of inconsistency between rules of this subpart and other rules within this title, the rules of this subpart shall take precedence to the extent permitted by law.

Special terms used in this subpart are defined as follows:

Act means the Act of December 31, 1975, as amended (Pub. L. 94-199, 89 Stat. 1117) which established the Hells Canyon National Recreation Area.

Authorized Officer is a Forest Service line officer who has been delegated the authority to take certain actions pursuant to the provisions of this subpart.

Comprehensive Management Plan is the document that establishes the array, levels, and manner of resource uses within the HCNRA. It is incorporated as part of the Wallowa-Whitman National Forest Land and Resource Management Plan.

Cultural resources means historic and archeological resources.

HCNRA is the abbreviation for the Hells Canyon National Recreation Area.

Mechanical equipment means any contrivance which travels over ground, snow or water on wheels, tracks, skids, or by flotation that is powered by a living source. This term does not include non-motorized rivercraft which is defined separately herein, wheelchairs, or other similar devices used solely to assist persons with disabilities.

Mining means any activity related to the discovery, extraction and exploitation of minerals under the Mining Act of 1872, 30 U.S.C. 22 et seq., and the Mineral Leasing Act of 1920, 30 U.S.C. 181 et seq., through the use of, among other things, hydraulic equipment, pans, ground sluicing, sluice boxes, rockers, or suction dredges.

Motorized equipment means any machine powered by a nonliving source. This term does not include motorized rivercraft which is defined separately herein or small, hand-held devices such as flashlights, shavers, wristwatches, and Geiger counters.

Motorized rivercraft means any boat capable of being mechanically propelled by propeller(s) or jet pump(s) upstream through rapids.

Non-Motorized rivercraft means any boat which is not a motorized rivercraft.

Other lands means all National Forest System lands in the HCNRA except for Wild and Scenic Rivers and Wilderness Lands.

Paleontological resources means any remains, trace, or imprint of a plant or animal that has been preserved in the Earth's crust prior to the Holocene epoch.

Selective cutting means single tree or group selection cutting and is the periodic removal of trees individually or in small groups from an uneven aged forest in order to maintain diverse stands, with the sustainability and improvement of the forest using an ecosystem approach to management being a primary consideration.

Suitable means it is appropriate to apply certain resource management practices to a particular area of land, as determined by an ecological and environmental analysis of the land. A unit of land may be suitable for a variety of individual or combined management practices.

Wild and Scenic Rivers means the segments of the Snake, Rapid, and Imnaha Rivers designated as components of the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System and any other river or segment thereof in the HCNRA hereafter designated. Wild and Scenic Rivers include all National Forest System lands within the designated Wild and Scenic River corridor.

Wilderness lands means the Hells Canyon Wilderness, that portion of the Eagle Cap Wilderness in the HCNRA, and any other wilderness in the HCNRA hereafter designated as components of the National Wilderness Preservation System.

(a) In addition to existing statutory and regulatory authority governing administration of National Forest System lands and resources, the standards and guidelines in §§ 292.43 to 292.48 of this subpart prescribe the scope and extent of certain activities that may occur in the HCNRA. These standards and guidelines are consistent with the overall objective of administering the HCNRA to preserve its natural beauty, historical and archaeological values and enhance its recreational and ecological values and the public's enjoyment. The standards and guidelines may vary depending on whether the land where the proposed activity is contemplated is within the Wilderness Lands, Wild and Scenic Rivers, or the Other Lands.

(b) The standards and guidelines of this subpart govern the previous programmatic direction in the Comprehensive Management Plan that has been incorporated into the Wallowa-Whitman National Forest Land and Resource Management Plan. Site specific environmental analysis may be required even in those situations where a use or activity is permissible under the standards and guidelines set forth in this subpart.

(c) The standards and guidelines of this subpart may be enforced by the authorized officer pursuant to 36 CFR part 261.

(a) Other Lands and Wild and Scenic Rivers. The following standards and guidelines of this section apply to the protection and preservation of cultural and paleontological resources on the Other Lands and the Wild and Scenic Rivers in the HCNRA:

(1) The primary objective of managing cultural resources is the protection of the resource from damage or destruction. To the extent consistent with protection, cultural resources may also be managed for scientific research, public education and enjoyment. Where interpretation of these sites for public benefit and knowledge is developed, it shall be compatible with the protection of cultural resources.

(2) The authorized officer shall establish priorities for management emphasis and protection of cultural resources based, in part, on whether the appropriate State Historic Preservation Office has concurred with the Forest Service's determination that a cultural resource is significant.

(3) Significant cultural resources are to be protected on-site, unless the authorized officer determines that off-site protection is preferable because adequate protection cannot be provided on-site, the resource is already adequately represented and protected on-site elsewhere, protection on-site is not consistent with the administration of Wilderness Lands, or for other good cause shown. Information about significant cultural resources shall be documented.

(4) The primary objective of managing paleontological resources is scientific research. Paleontological resources may only be disturbed or removed in conjunction with scientific research and only upon the issuance of prior written authorization of the disturbance or removal activity.

(b) Wilderness Lands. The following standards and guidelines apply to the protection and preservation of cultural and paleontological resources in the Wilderness Lands category of the HCNRA.

(1) The standards and guidelines for Other Lands and Wild and Scenic Rivers in paragraph (a) of this section also apply to Wilderness Lands.

(2) Public education and information activities concerning cultural resources on Wilderness Lands may not be offered or established inside Wilderness Lands.

(3) New trails and relocations of existing trails may not be developed for the sole purpose of providing public access to cultural resource sites on Wilderness Lands.

The standards and guidelines of this section apply to the use of motorized and mechanical equipment in the HCNRA. These standards and guidelines shall not be construed to impair or preclude use of such equipment in the Forest Service's administration of the HCNRA; authorized scientific and other research activities within the HCNRA; timber harvesting, mining, or grazing activities as authorized in §§ 292.46-292.48 of this subpart; responses by the Forest Service or any other Federal, state, or local agency to public health or safety emergencies; or access to private inholdings within the HCNRA.

(a) Other Lands. The following standards and guidelines apply to the use of motorized and mechanical equipment in the Other Lands category of the HCNRA.

(1) Motorized and mechanical equipment may be used on designated Forest Service roads, trails, and airstrips subject to terms and conditions deemed necessary by the authorized officer for the safe use of such facilities.

(2) The use of motorized and mechanical equipment is prohibited off of designated Forest Service roads, trails, and airstrips unless authorized by the authorized officer subject to terms and conditions deemed necessary by the authorized officer for the safe use of such equipment and to ensure that its use is compatible with the Act.

(b) Wild and Scenic Rivers. The following standards and guidelines apply to the use of motorized and mechanical equipment in the Wild and Scenic Rivers category in the HCNRA.

(1) The use of motorized and mechanical equipment on designated Forest Service roads, trails and airstrips is permissible on wild and scenic river segments classified “scenic” or “recreational” subject to terms and conditions necessary for safe use of such equipment and to ensure its use is compatible with the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act.

(2) The use of motorized and mechanical equipment on designated Forest Service roads, trails, and airstrips is prohibited on wild and scenic river segments classified “wild” except as provided for by the authorized officer upon a determination that such use is necessary for the administration of the river or to protect and enhance the values for which river was designated.

(c) Wilderness Lands. Except as provided for in Sections 4 (c) and (d) of the Wilderness Act and regulations at 36 CFR parts 261 and 293, the use of motorized and mechanical equipment is prohibited on Wilderness Lands.

The standards and guidelines of this section apply to the use of motorized and non-motorized rivercraft on rivers within the HCNRA.

(a) The use of non-motorized rivercraft may be permitted subject to restrictions on size, type of craft, numbers, duration, seasons, or other matters which may be deemed by the authorized officer to be necessary to ensure the safe use and enjoyment of the rivers: Provided, that where wild and scenic rivers are concerned, the authorized officer may impose such additional terms and conditions as may be necessary to protect and enhance the values for which the river was designated.

(b) The use of motorized rivercraft is prohibited except on the Snake River and that portion of the Salmon River in the HCNRA administered by the Forest Service where such activity may be permitted subject to restrictions on size, type of craft, numbers, noise limits, duration, seasons or other matters which may be deemed by the authorized officer necessary for the safe use and enjoyment of the rivers: Provided, that where wild and scenic rivers are involved, the authorized officer may impose such additional terms and conditions as may be necessary to protect and enhance the values for which the river was designated.

(c) The use of motorized and non-motorized rivercraft is subject to all federal and state boating registration and safety laws.

(d) The use of motorized or non-motorized rivercraft on the Snake River and that portion of the Salmon River in the HCNRA administered by the Forest Service requires prior written authorization from the authorized officer.

(e) In authorizing the use of motorized and non-motorized rivercraft on the Snake River, the authorized officer must reasonably accommodate both private and commercial users of each type of rivercraft.

(f) In authorizing the use of motorized and non-motorized rivercraft on the Snake River, the authorized officer must ensure that the carrying capacity of the river is not exceeded.

(g) In authorizing the use of motorized and non-motorized rivercraft on the Snake River, the authorized officer shall seek to minimize, where practicable, conflicts between motorized and non-motorized rivercraft users and between both types of rivercraft users and all other users of the river.

(a) Other Lands. The standards and guidelines of this section apply to timber harvesting activities in the Other Lands category of the HCNRA.

(1) Timber may be harvested only to protect and enhance ecosystem health, wildlife habitat, or recreational and scenic uses; to reduce the risk of harm posed by hazard trees; or to respond to natural events such as wildfire, flood, earthquake, volcanic eruption, high winds, and disease or insect infestation.

(2) Where authorized, trees may be harvested by selective cuttings. Openings created by the timber harvesting activity must be limited in size and number to the minimum necessary to accomplish the purpose of the harvest, and must blend with the natural landscape to the extent practicable.

(b) Wild and Scenic Rivers. The following standards and guidelines apply to timber harvesting activities in the Wild and Scenic Rivers category of the HNCRA.

(1) Timber may be harvested on river segments classified “scenic” or “recreational” to protect and enhance the values for which the river was designated.

(2) Timber may be harvested on river segments classified “wild” only when necessary to provide for recreational facilities such as trails, to reduce the risk of hazard trees, or to respond to natural events provided that the activity is consistent with the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act.

(3) Where authorized, timber harvesting activities on wild and scenic rivers may be conducted in accordance with and using the same methods as prescribed in section (a)(2) above.

(c) Wilderness Lands. Except as provided for in Sections 4 (c) and (d) of the Wilderness Act and regulations at 36 CFR part 293, timber harvesting is prohibited on Wilderness Lands.

(a) Other Lands. The standards and guidelines of this section apply to mining activities in the Other Lands category of the HCNRA.

(1) All mining activities are prohibited subject to valid existing rights as of December 31, 1975.

(2) The impact of mining activities including, but not limited to, drilling and the development of ingress and egress routes, must be minimized and directed away from Wilderness Lands and Wild and Scenic Rivers to the extent practicable.

(3) Mineral materials including, but not limited to common varieties of gravel, sand, or stone, may be used only within the HCNRA for the purpose of construction and maintenance of facilities including, but not limited to, roads, airfields, trails, and recreation developments.

(4) Sources of mineral materials should be located outside the HCNRA. Sources for mineral materials that may be used to benefit the HCNRA may be located inside the HCNRA if the cost of obtaining the materials outside the HCNRA adds significantly to the costs of the materials, or the transportation of mineral materials from outside the HCNRA presents a safety hazard. When mineral materials are obtained from inside the HCNRA, the environmental effects at the source of extraction must be mitigated by site reclamation upon the termination of the extraction activity. Site reclamation may include contouring the land, re-establishing vegetation, and other measures deemed appropriate by the authorized officer to blend the site into the surrounding environment to the extent practicable. The HCNRA shall not be the source of mineral materials for use outside the HCNRA for projects that do not directly benefit the HCNRA.

(b) Wilderness Lands and Wild and Scenic Rivers. The standards and guidelines of this section apply to mining activities in the Wilderness Lands and Wild and Scenic Rivers categories of the HCNRA.

(1) The standards and guidelines for Other Lands in paragraphs (a)(1) and (2) of this section also apply to Wilderness Lands and Wild and Scenic Rivers.

(2) Extraction of mineral materials is prohibited on Wilderness Lands and Wild and Scenic Rivers subject to valid existing rights.

The following standards and guidelines apply to domestic livestock grazing activities on Other Lands, Wild and Scenic Rivers, and Wilderness Lands in the HCNRA.

(a) Grazing may be authorized only on rangeland determined by the authorized officer to be suitable for grazing and meeting or moving towards satisfactory condition and meeting the conditions described in paragraph (b) of this section.

(b) Where domestic livestock grazing is incompatible with the protection, restoration, or maintenance of fish and wildlife or their habitats; public outdoor recreation; conservation of scenic, wilderness, and scientific values; rare combinations of outstanding ecosystems, or the protection and enhancement of the values for which a wild and scenic river was designated, the livestock use shall be modified as necessary to eliminate or avoid the incompatibility. In the event an incompatibility persists after the modification or modification is not feasible, the livestock use shall be terminated.

(c) Range improvements must be designed and located to minimize their impact on scenic, cultural, fish and wildlife, and other resources in the HCNRA.

(d) The authorization of grazing use, through a grazing permit, must provide for terms and conditions which protect and conserve riparian areas.