[OSMB-News] News Release -Marine Board Initiates Rulemaking, Other Items

Ashley Massey ashley.massey at state.or.us
Thu Oct 15 12:03:17 PDT 2009


For Immediate Release	Date: Thursday, October 15, 2009

Marine Board Initiates Rulemaking, Other Items

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.
###


Ashley A. Massey
Public Information Officer
Oregon State Marine Board
503-378-2623
503-378-8587 ext. 82623
ashley.massey at state.or.us
www.boatoregon.com
www.twitter.com/marineboard

"Clean, Drain and Dry your boat to prevent the spread of aquatic
nuisance species."




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