Slow Boat Speed Sought for Tualatin River

Should boat traffic on the Tualatin River be reduced to a "Slow - No Wake" speed limit? A public hearing is scheduled for Wednesday, Sept. 22, in Tualatin to discuss a petition asking the Oregon State Marine Board to adopt the restriction. The meeting will be held at the Tualatin Senior Center, 8513 SW Tualatin Road, beginning at 7 p.m.

The Tualatin River winds through Clackamas and Washington counties, providing a convenient waterway for boaters and wildlife viewers alike. The petitioner, Tualatin Riverkeepers, cites water quality, boater and swimmer safety and wildlife concerns as a reason to restrict all boats to the slow speed. "The Tualatin is a narrow, winding, slow-moving river generally surrounded by private property," said Wayne Shuyler, Oregon State Marine Board assistant director. "The river flows through farmland, suburban and urban areas. Do boaters and other river users agree that a 'Slow-No Wake' zone is needed or appropriate? Does the entire river need to have a speed limit? Are there other ways to resolve concerns? That's what we want to find out."

Oral testimony made during the public hearing will go into the formal record. Written comments will be accepted through Sept. 30.

The Oregon State Marine Board may consider the request at the Oct. 20 board meeting in Bend. The board can decide to enact the speed limit by administrative rule, deny the request, take an alternative course of action, defer action to a later date or take no action at all.

For details on the proposal, contact the Marine Board at (503) 378-8587 or check the Marine Board web page at www.osmb.state.or.us. Comments on the proposal may be sent to: Oregon State Marine Board, PO Box 14145, Salem, OR 97309-5065. They may also be e-mailed to marine.board@state.or.us, or faxed to (503) 378-4597. Telephone comments will not be accepted.