For Immediate Release

Date: July 6, 2004

Marine Board Approves Facilities Projects

The Oregon State Marine Board approved $468,000 in grants for boating access improvements across Oregon during its regular meeting on Wednesday, June 30, in Newport. Among other business, the board also approved new language regarding motor limits on New River in Coos County, and delayed a rule change on Pine Hollow Reservoir in Wasco County.

The Marine Board is Oregon's recreational boating agency. It uses boating fees and motorboat fuel taxes to fund marine law enforcement and boating facilities development. The agency doesn't own or operate any facilities, but instead provides grants in aid and engineering services to local governments.

Items covered at the June 30 meeting are listed below:

Facilities Improvement Projects

• The board approved a $30,000 grant to the Port of Brookings Harbor to help construct two new gangways. The new gangways comply with American With Disabilities requirements and provide access to the east bank of Boat Basin II. The estimated total project cost is $97,250, with the Port of Brookings pledging $17,250. The remaining $50,000 is from a federal 306A grant administered by the Dept. of Land Conservation and Development.
• The board voted to fund a Port of Bandon request for $16,000 to renovate their marine fuel station. The funds will be used to relocate the gasoline and diesel marine fuel dispensers from the float to a high dock to protect them from ocean swells and salt water spray.
• The first step in a new boat launch for the City of Rainier was also approved by the board. The board granted $268,000 to build a gravel parking lot and install utilities at the site of the future boat ramp. The new ramp will replace a deteriorated ramp one-half mile upstream. Parking lot development is required before the ramp can be built to provide an adequate work area.
• A second floating restroom will be added to Green Peter Reservoir. The board approved $97,500 for the project request from Linn County. The current floating restroom is heavily used demonstrating public support for the project. Of the $97,500, $24,375 is Marine Board funds and $73,125 is federal Clean Vessel Act funds.
• The board approved $57,000 toward a current project that is replacing a ramp, floats, vault toilets and parking lot paving at Willow Lake Recreational Area near Butte Falls. High fuel and asphalt prices increased the estimated project cost, requiring the additional funds. The original project was funded earlier this year at a cost of $142,580, with the Oregon Dept. of Fish and Wildlife providing an additional $46,125, and the applicant providing $74,795.

New Board Chair Elected

Deborah McQueen, of Scappoose, was elected chair of the Oregon State Marine Board, replacing outgoing chair Bob Montgomery, of Cascade Locks. McQueen was appointed to the board in June of 2003 and will serve through the end of June 2007.

New River Rule Set

The board rejected a request by the Bureau of Land Management to prohibit gas motors from New River in Coos County. Instead, the board clarified the rule that provides protection for snowy plovers that may nest along the river during the spring.

The original New River motor restriction was adopted in 2001 and was meant to allow electric motors on New River from March 1 through Sept. 30, and all motors Oct. 1 through February 28. However, the wording of the rule was ambiguous and confusing.

In 2004, BLM came back to the board requesting wording that would restrict New River to electric motors only during the full year. After reviewing comments from the public, the Oregon Dept. of Fish and Wildlife and others, the board felt the restriction was unnecessary. The new language states: "It is illegal to operate a boat with a motor, except for an electric motor, on the New River from March 1 to Sept. 30. From October 1 to the end of February, motors are not restricted."

Pine Hollow Reservoir Rule Delayed

A petition to broaden the water skiing season at Pine Hollow Reservoir, a small Wasco County reservoir, was tabled until September so board members could better study the issue.

Existing rules impose a 10 mph speed limit on the lake from the day after Labor Day to June 30. Petitioners requested that the speed limit be lifted on the Saturday before Memorial Day, providing and additional four to five weeks of water skiing each year.

Board members wanted more time to study current use of the lake as well as previous agreements that favor angling over other activities.

###