| OSMB News |
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| Marine Board Initiates Rulemaking, Other Items |
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For Immediate Release -10/15/09
The Oregon State Marine Board met for their quarterly meeting in Bend, on October 13. Among the many agenda items, the Board approved initiating the rulemaking process for several waterbodies and directed staff to use a mediated approach to find a solution for the Holgate Channel on the Willamette River in Portland.
The Board was asked to reconsider the proposed rules for the Ross Island and Holgate Channel by the original petitioners. The Board decided to adopt a slow-no-wake rule for the Ross Island Lagoon, with exemptions for commercial vessels and chase boats accompanying dragon boats and rowing teams. The Board also directed staff to initiate a mediation process with the various boat users and petitioners in order to seek a long-term solution for Holgate Channel.
Another rulemaking process will begin to consider banning all motors on Waldo Lake. The Board directed staff to initiate rulemaking to prohibit motorboat use on Waldo Lake. The rule would also effectively prohibit float planes from landing. Exemptions include emergency landings or watercraft used for official purposes such as search and rescue, law enforcement and fire suppression with Forest Service approval. The rule will implement the Forest Service’s plan to create the largest motor-free lake in Oregon. With 6,298 acres, Waldo Lake is the second largest natural lake in Oregon.
The Board approved initiating the rulemaking process for personal flotation devices statewide rule to define what life jackets are acceptable for wear in Class III whitewater rapids. The Legislature passed House Bill 2079 in during the last session requiring boaters to wear a properly fitting, U.S. Coast Guard –approved life jacket when operating on Class III or higher white-water rapids. The law goes into effect on January 1, 2010.
The Board approved proposed rules for implementing the Aquatic Invasive Species Prevention Permit Program which go into effect on January 1, 2010. This new program will generate funds that will go directly into education and prevention efforts, statewide. Fees for the program were established by the Legislature and will affect all boaters, including out-of-state visitors.
Additionally, the Marine Board will initiate rulemaking for Cheadle Lake, a former log pond, now managed by the City of Lebanon. The City of Lebanon requested an electric motor only rule due to the lake’s shallow and fluctuating water level and has plans to develop the waterbody for public fishing and boating recreation.
For more information about the Marine Board, visit http://www.boatoregon.com/OSMB/programs/program.shtml.
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