| OSMB News |
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| For Immediate Release |
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7/10/08
Marine Board Moves toward Rulemaking onWillamette River and Prineville Reservoir
The Oregon State Marine Board discussed proposed rules for the Willamette River near Wilsonville and Prineville Reservoir, among other items, at their quarterly meeting held on July 8, in Salem.
Marine Board staff revised their rule recommendation for the Lower Willamette River based on mixed public comments and concern from the Governor’s office that the proposed rules would be ineffective at solving erosion complaints on the river. The Board approved the revised proposed rules, which will go out for public comment during the month of August. A public hearing will also be scheduled in mid-August. As before, the proposal would establish a congestion zone on the Willamette from Newberg to Canby, would prohibit 180 degree turns at speed, and would require boats to stay 200 feet behind skiers or other towed devices. New, is a proposal restricting the use of wake-enhancing devices, including ballast tanks, wedges or hydrofoils or other mechanical devices, or un-even loading of persons or gear to artificially operate bow high, within the defined congestion zone. In addition, people would be required to operate at slow-no-wake speed within 200 feet of all private docks or moorages. The Board will make a final decision on the proposed rule at their next scheduled meeting in October.
Public comments generally favored a slow-no-wake zone between the I-5 Boones Ferry Bridge and the upstream railroad bridge on the Willamette River near Wilsonville. The Board approved this as a permanent rule, which will go into affect once the area is signed.
In addition, the Board considered a proposed rule for a slow no-wake zone on Prineville Reservoir adjacent to the Prineville Resort Marina. The Board initially rejected a bank-to-bank slow-no-wake zone in favor of a slow-no-wake zone that extends 500 feet from the marina. The slow-no-wake rule will go into effect this summer once the area is marked.
The Board also accepted a petition to further investigate and address social conflict between boaters and anglers on the South Fork Coquille River in Coos County. The Board directed staff to meet with user groups and gather comment on proposals including prohibiting motors, allowing electric motor only, or alternating motor-use days. Staff was also directed to work with the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife on angling and boating ethics on the South Fork Coquille, Chetco and other coastal rivers. The Board will next address the issue during their quarterly meeting in the spring of 2009.
The Board was also briefed on petitions seeking speed restrictions on the Calapooya River in Albany and extension of a horsepower limit on the Nehalem River. Both petitions were rejected, but staff agreed to monitor these waterbodies and implement outreach efforts stressing boating safety and ethics.
For information about Marine Board meetings, the agenda, and approved minutes, visit: http://www.boatoregon.com/OSMB/programs/members.shtml.
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