• Memorial Day Weekend A Good Time For Boating Caution
• E-TIP Online To Report Illegal Boaters
• Marine Board Considers Boating Regulation Proposals

Memorial Day Weekend A Good Time For Boating Caution

Boaters are expected to enjoy their day in the sun this Memorial Day weekend, despite low water in certain Western Oregon reservoirs. The Oregon State Marine Board offers these last minute recommendations to help boaters be safe and legal.

First, make sure your boat is legal. The registration decal on your boat must read "01" or "02". "We estimate about 15,000 boaters haven't registered their boats yet this year," said Randy Henry, information representative for the Oregon State Marine Board. "There's still time - a quick visit to your local registration agent can solve the problem. The fine for not registering your boat is $175."

Next, make sure you're safe. "We have the standard safety issues this year, plus a few," said Henry. "Be sure that every person in your boat has an appropriately sized life vest at hand. Kids 12 and under must wear their life jacket- it's the law. Also, we don't consider vests stowed under cover or in a bag as accessible. The reason is simple - if your boat gets swamped or some other accident occurs, you won't have time to open the hatch or the bag and get the vest out," said Henry. "In fact, even if it's out, you may not have time to put it on, so our advice is to 'just wear it'."

Depending on your boat, you may need the following items, too: a Coast Guard approved throwable flotation device; a marine fire extinguisher (for boats with enclosed gas tanks); a sound-making device (horn or loud whistle); and visual distress signals (marine waters). If you're towing a water skier, board, tube or other device, don't forget the orange flag and a designated spotter. Optional safety items include an extra oar, a good anchor, plenty of sun screen and food and water to keep you sharp.

"There's one thing you should leave behind," said Henry. "Alcohol. Marine Patrols will be looking for intoxicated boat operators. If you choose to drink and operate a boat, you could face fines of $5,000 and loss of boating privileges for three years, among other things. More importantly, you risk the health and safety of you and other people on the water. Nearly half of all fatal boating accidents involve alcohol. Don't risk it. We arrested 258 people for BUII in 2000, and we expect a similar number this year."

Finally, look out for low water hazards. Unwary boaters have already found stumps, shoals, rocks and sandbars in the Columbia, Willamette, Rogue and other rivers in western Oregon. "Most of the traditionally popular waterways are accessible, but low water hazards are lurking. Be especially careful." Additional low-water information, including boat ramp access, is available at www.boatoregon.com.

E-TIP Online To Report Illegal Boaters

Boaters have long been encouraged to report dangerous or illegal boating activities to authorities. A new Oregon State Marine Board web page makes it easier.

"We just got our first complaint and we're checking it out," said Cole Hughes, Marine Board law enforcement staff. "We hope other boaters will take advantage of the service."

The "E-TIP" page is located at www.boatoregon.com. It was posted in April. E-TIP is an electronic form for basic information to help officers follow up on the complaint. "This is a convenient, private way to report an intoxicated boater, or someone who flees the scene of a boating accident or is operating in a dangerous manner. You can enter as much or as little information as you want. We'll review it, talk to the local Marine Patrol officer and take the appropriate action," said Hughes.

Hughes does recommend gathering some basic information, no matter how the report is made. "Getting the boat's OR number and a description of the operator, plus the day, time, location and a thorough description of the event, is very helpful to us," said Hughes. "If you see a marine patrol officer at the site, let them know right away. Calling your local county sheriff or the Oregon State Police is still the best way to report an incident. The Internet is just another option."

People who are uncomfortable with the electronic form are encouraged to print it out and fax it in or call in their complaint. "If a person wants to remain anonymous, we will respect that. However, it's always easier to prosecute a case if we have a witness we can interview, so we do encourage people to provide their name and phone number."

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Marine Board Considers Boating Regulation Proposals

The Marine Board has directed Oregon State Marine Board staff to begin considering eight proposed boating regulations. The proposals were brought to the Board as part of an annual process of seeking public input on boating regulations.

The action came at the Tuesday, May 22, Marine Board meeting, held in Gold Beach. Other items acted on by the Board included adoption of new rules for the Maintenance Assistance Program for boating access facilities, and several facility grant requests for new or ongoing boating access projects.

Proposed new rules include the following:

• Prineville Reservoir, Crook County: Enact a new “slow-no wake, 5 mile per hour maximum” speed limit in Roberts Bay. Roberts Bay is located on the south side of Prineville Reservoir across the reservoir from Prineville Resort. The proposed regulation protects swimmers, people using inner tubes and air mattresses, as well as other users of the area from high-speed boat traffic. Public comment period is July 1 through Aug. 31.
• North Fork Reservoir, Clackamas County: Enact a new “slow-no wake, 5 mile per hour maximum” speed limit in the North Arm and within 200 feet of the entrance to North Arm. North Arm is located on the north side of the reservoir and is north of Highway 224. The purpose of the regulation is to protect boat anglers, swimmers, people using inner tubes and air mattresses, as well as other users of the arm from high-speed boat traffic. Public comment period is July 1-31.
• Roslyn Lake, Clackamas County: Prohibit use of motors. Roslyn Lake is owned and operated by the Portland General Electric Corporation. The lake is currently posted by PGE as closed to motors. The purpose of the regulation is to protect the earthen dam from damage that may be caused by boat wakes. Public comment period is July 1-31.
• Ollala Lake, Lincoln County: Prohibit use of motors on Ollala Lake. Ollala Lake is owned and operated by the Georgia Pacific Corporation. The lake is currently posted by Georgia Pacific as closed to motors. The purpose of the proposed regulation is to protect the earthen dam from damage that may be caused by boat wakes. Public comment period is July 1-31.
• Siletz River, Lincoln County: Proposed limit on motorboats using the Siletz River in Lincoln County upstream of Morgan Park to electric motors only. The purpose of the proposed restriction is to reduce conflict between boat anglers and damage from boat wakes. Public comment period is June 1 – Aug. 31. A hearing is scheduled for Aug. 23, 7 p.m. at the Council Chambers, 801 SW Highway 101, Lincoln City.
• Clatskanie River, Columbia County: Proposed speed limit on the Clatskanie River in Columbia County from a point 100 yards downstream from the floating railroad bridge and ending at the Olson Road Bridge. The speed limit is requested to protect public safety and property. Public comment period is June 1 – June 29. A hearing is scheduled for June 21, 7 p.m. at the City Council Chambers, 95 S. Nehalem, Clatskanie.
• Salmon River, Lincoln County: Proposed limit on motorboats on the Salmon River in Lincoln County to a maximum of 15 horsepower upstream of the boat ramp at Knight Park. The horsepower restriction is requested to reduce erosion from boat wakes in the Cascade Head Scenic Research area.
• Sauvie Island, Columbia and Multnomah Counties: Proposal would 1) Close the Sauvie Island Wildlife Area in Columbia and Multnomah counties to all boating during the period of Oct. 1 - April 15, except by valid hunting permit during authorized waterfowl season; 2) Close Sauvie Island Wildlife Area to all boating from 10 p.m. to 4 a.m. during the remainder of the year; 3) Limit motorboats using the waters of Sauvie Island to slow-no wake, 5 mph. The request affects the Gilbert River from a point 100 feet upstream of the Gilbert River dock, Cunningham Slough, Sturgeon Lake and other waters of the Wildlife area. The restrictions are requested to protect wintering waterfowl and meet the objectives of the Northwest Oregon/Southwest Washington Canada Goose Agriculture Depredation Control Program. A hearing is scheduled for 7 p.m. June 20, State Office Building, 800 NE Oregon St, Room 140 B, Portland. Public comment period is June 1-June 29.

Additional information will be posted at www.boatoregon.com or is available by phone at (503) 378-8587.

The Board also adopted revised rules for the Maintenance Assistance Program (MAP). The MAP program provides funding to help maintain certain boat access facilities. The new rules establish guidelines for eligibility and participation in the program, and set criteria for minimum matching requirements. The rules also adjust the allocation formula and establish other policies as prescribed by the Board. The newly adopted rules are available at www.boatoregon.com or on request by calling (503) 373-1405 x228.

Another item approved by the board was a request by Linn County for funds to improve parking at the Gedney Creek boat ramp. A new restroom was recently built at the site. The Board approved a grant of $25,000 toward the $45,000 project. The project was slated to occur later at a cost of $74,000. However, Linn County Parks was able to piggy-back the project with another much-larger paving project set to occur in June, allowing the asphalt to be purchased at a much cheaper rate. The project will improve traffic flow and provide more parking spaces.