MADRAS, OR -- He wants to jump Lake Billy Chinook in a steam-propelled rocket. First, however, Mike Hughes of California has to jump through hoops for Oregon regulatory agencies. "We're getting to the point where they're getting ready to allow the permit process, from what I understand. Now, I have applied for permits with the Oregon State Marine Board, which controls, as I understand it, Lake [Billy] Chinook." He also is dealing with the Bureau of Land Management, the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department and others. 

Agencies are asking for, among other things, a rescue and recovery plan. "When you try to do something like this with a bunch of agencies, everyone is in 'cover your butt mode,' ok. Everyone wants to make sure all the T's are crossed and nobody is going to get fired and everything is hunky dory, and that's kind of where we're at."