For Immediate Release

Date: May 26, 2005

Proposed Rule Change to Affect Wake on Willamette River

A proposed rule to manage boat wakes on a section of the lower Willamette River will be the subject of an Oregon State Marine Board public meeting at 7 p.m., Tuesday, June 14, at the Community Center, 505 G Ave., Lake Oswego.

The proposed rule is in response to a petition received by the board in April. The proposed rule would create a new designation “low wake” zone from Hog Island at river mile 22 and the Union Pacific Railroad Bridge at river mile 20.

The zone would prohibit boat operations that create wakes with a crest height greater than 12 inches above the calm water level. For large boats, this might require operators to keep to a slow-no-wake speed through the area. For fishing boats, it might mean that boats could stay on plane through the area or motor slowly enough to create a very low wake. “It’s typically the ‘plowing’ that creates the large wakes,” said Randy Henry, policy and planning analyst for the Marine Board. “Boats in transition between low and high speed, boats traveling close to docks or moored boats, large boats traveling quickly or ski or wakeboard boats pulling people in tight circles create the largest wakes.”

This area of the Willamette is narrow and heavily developed with private and public access points. “The petitioner’s goal is to have boaters manage their wake, not to impede navigation or keep people from boating in the river,” said Henry. “Does this proposal do that without hurting people’s right to navigate the river? Will it be enforceable? That’s why we’re having the meeting – to find out what people think about the concept. People who live along the river or who fish, cruise or ski on the river are encouraged to attend the meeting.”

The board will also accept written comment from the public beginning June 1 and ending June 30. Comments may be mailed to Randy Henry, OSMB, PO Box 14145, Salem

OR 97309. Comments may also be sent via e-mail to Randy.H.Henry@state.or.us, or via fax to (503) 378-4597.

If you have questions on this proposed rule, please contact Randy Henry at (503) 373-1405 x240.

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