[OSMB-News] News Release -Marine Board Approves Rule Changes, Other Items

[Ashley Massey]

For Immediate Release	Date: Friday, January 15, 2010

Marine Board Approves Rule Changes, Other Items

The Oregon State Marine Board approved several rulemaking changes at
their quarterly meeting held on January 14 at the Portland Expo Center.
	
The Board approved a ban on motor boats and float planes on Waldo Lake
in Lane County.  Electric motors and official use of motor boats in
emergency situations for search and rescue, law enforcement and fire
suppression are allowed.  Emergency landings of floatplanes are also
allowed.  A statutory 10 MPH restriction remains in effect.
	
The Board also approved rules specifying life jacket types for a new
law requiring mandatory life jacket wear when boating in Class III or
higher rapids.  Life jackets must be U.S. Coast Guard approved, Type I,
III, or V and not have a limitation or restriction on its approval label
that would prevent its use on white water rivers (i.e. inflatable life
jackets).  
	
The Board also approved an electric motor only rule on Cheadle Lake in
Linn County.  Cheadle Lake is a new waterbody open to the public for
boating and other recreational opportunities and is managed by the City
of Lebanon.
	
Additionally, the Board approved the adoption of a temporary rule for
the new Aquatic Invasive Species Prevention Permit Program.  This rule
will allow reciprocity with Washington and Idaho registered boaters who
boat on shared waterways, such as the Columbia and Snake Rivers, and
already contribute to their states’ respective aquatic invasive
species prevention programs.  The rule also sets a minimum age
requirement of 14 to carry an invasive species prevention permit when
boating in a manually powered boat.  A clarification will be added to
the permanent rule allowing for the transferability of a permit to
family and friends, regardless of the name on the permit.  One permit
per manually powered boat is required when on the water.
	
Finally, the Board also approved construction of a new boat ramp on the
Siletz River in Lincoln County.  The Bear Creek ramp will include a new,
single lane concrete launch ramp, boarding floats and a gravel parking
area.  The Board approved $232,343 in state boater funds combined with
$17,500 of in-kind contributions and $367,657 in Federal Sport Fish
Restoration funds from the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife.  The
project total is $617,500.
	
For more information, visit www.boatoregon.com.
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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

Oregonians have the right to use the waterways -and the responsibility
to keep them clean.  Never launch a Dirty Boat.