[OSMB-News] News Release -Paddle and Power Boat Aquatic Invasive Species Prevention Permit Rules Clarified

Ashley Massey ashley.massey at state.or.us
Wed Dec 23 11:27:23 PST 2009


For Immediate Release      Date: Wednesday, December 23, 2009

Paddle and Power Boat Aquatic Invasive Species Prevention Permit Rules
Clarified


The Oregon State Marine Board has clarified and simplified two aspects
of the new program to prevent aquatic invasive species from being
introduced or spread throughout Oregon. The program, which becomes
effective Jan, 1, 2010, was created by the 2009 Oregon Legislature.

The two key issues are reciprocity between Oregon, Washington and Idaho
for boaters in the Columbia and Snake rivers and establishment of a
minimum age for boaters who are required to have a permit.

Based on the tri-state Boating Offense Compact, it has been determined
that Washington and Idaho boaters, who pay for aquatic invasive species
prevention programs in their states, are not required to have an Oregon
Aquatic Invasive Species Prevention Permit while boating in the Columbia
or Snake rivers. However, when they move into Oregon’s state waters,
such as the Multnomah Channel or Willamette, Deschutes and John Day
rivers, boaters are required to have an Oregon permit. 

The reciprocity agreement also extends to boat launch sites in Oregon.
Washington and Idaho boaters may launch into the Columbia or Snake
rivers or into tributaries within one river mile of rivers without a
permit for the purposes of accessing the Columbia and Snake rivers.
Oregon boaters can also launch from sites in Washington to access the
Columbia River. Oregon officials are seeking similar recognition for
Oregon invasive species permit holders who want to launch in Idaho. 

The second clarification of the program deals with the minimum age
permit requirements for manually powered boats, including canoes,
kayaks, driftboats, etc. Under the new rules, youngsters 13 years old
and younger are not required to have a permit. 

The Oregon Marine Board, in partnership with the Oregon Department of
Fish and Wildlife, was directed by the 2009 Oregon Legislature to
implement a prevention program similar to Idaho and other western state
programs. The program charges a permit fee to motorized and manually
powered boat operators to fund regional inspection teams and statewide
coordination of aquatic invasive species prevention efforts. “By and
large, people have been supportive of this new fee as long as the funds
are focused on prevention of aquatic invasive species,” said Randy
Henry, policy analyst for the Oregon Marine Board. 

Additional information on the new Aquatic Invasive Species Prevention
Program, aquatic invasive invaders and background on the legislation,
rules, the prevention techniques can be found at www.boatoregon.com.  

For information on the new fees and to find answers to frequently asked
questions, visit the Oregon Marine Board Website,
http://www.boatoregon.com/OSMB/programs/09LawsFAQs.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

"Go with the flow, and don't fight the current."



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