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June and July 2006 FYI

Dealing with Tragedy. During a general session of an IOGA annual meeting a number of years ago, the membership in attendance heard from a number of panelists on things to do and not do relative to dealing with a death on an outfitted trip. In addition to tips for dealing with the family of the deceased, panelists emphasized that there be one spokesman/woman when dealing with the media and authorities. Written accounts of what happened should be coordinated through the lead guide and/or outfitter. Notification of insurance agent, state and federal agencies associated with licensing and permitting is a must. Providing information to the IOGA office and to fellow outfitters assists with rumor control. A recent front page article in the Idaho Statesman provides perspective on what happened at Staircase Rapid on the South Fork of the Payette River recently when a 29 year old man fell out of a guided paddle boat, length of time in the water, rescue attempts and associated first aid and how a fellow outfitter who witnessed the event provided on site and follow up assistance. This media account is a good example of how the industry can and should be proactive.http://www.idahostatesman.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060622/NEWS01/606220334 It should be noted that the affected outfitter provided an overview of the tragedy to the IOGA boating membership and that the IOGA executive director provided the affected outfitter member with contacts within IOGA who have previously dealt with a tragic death of a guest.

Highway Construction and Maintenance, or Lack of, affect Industry. Members have requested that IOGA provide assistance with influencing proposed closure schedules for federal road projects regarding the Salmon River Road upstream from Riggins to Vinegar Creek and a reconstruction project scheduled for 2008 on State Highway 75 approximately 16 miles east of Stanley at what is commonly called the “Narrows”. Regarding the Riggins to Vinegar project, the fall use jetboat/fishing/hunting/guest ranch community has requested a mid-day “open road, no closure allowed” window similar to that proposed for summer users. The proposed Highway 75 May to early September road openings for 2008 and beyond in its present form is unacceptable to Stanley area outfitters and businesses. Some float businesses provide as many as three to four day floats that must use Highway 75. Associated potential summer river closures on the Salmon downstream of Stanley would be disastrous economically. As many as 10,000 folks float the section of river each year. Middle Fork outfitters, many of whom are based in Stanley, return guests to Stanley by bus or van. Main Salmon outfitters, depending on return travel routes are affected. The Federal Highway Administration has agreed to another public meeting sometime later this month regarding the Highway 75 project.

IOGA has also contacted Salmon/Challis National Forest officials regarding grading of the Salmon River road on the east side of the state downstream of North Fork, Idaho, specifically the Panther Creek to Corn Creek section. This road is heavily used by both Main and Middle Fork river users and there is more than adequate funding available through the recreation fee collected from guided and self-guided river users for maintenance of this road.

Information on Idaho Department of Transportation construction projects now and into the future can be found at http://511.idaho.gov/default.asp?display=construction&area=statewide&textOnly=False For Montana projects try