[OSMB-News] OSMB News: Marine Board Moves Forward on Holgate Channel

[Randy Henry]

Marine Board Moves Forward on Holgate Channel
 
                The Oregon State Marine Board has taken a second step toward addressing conflict between powered and non-powered boat operators  in the waters around Ross Island in downtown Portland. Specific activities for immediate implementation are based on recommendations from the Holgate Channel Working Group. Other regulatory items will be proposed for rule in 2011.
                The first step to address conflict between manually powered boats and motorized boats was taken in October 2009 when the Marine Board approved a slow-no-wake rule for recreational boats operating within the Ross Island lagoon. The popular area is now limited to paddling or idling speeds, with waterskiing and other high-speed activities prohibited.
                 At the October 2009 meeting, the Board directed formation of the Holgate Channel Working Group to develop a consensus for further actions on the Holgate Channel, the stretch of the Willamette River flowing on the east side of Ross Island. The working group was made up of representatives from paddling, motorboat and environmental user groups, City of Portland and others. The working group met six times between February and June but was unable to reach a consensus proposal for the Marine Board. It did, however, generally agree on a number of recommendations. Randy Henry, Policy Analyst for the Marine Board, said the five-member Board on Wednesday, June 30, supported immediate implementation of most recommendations. These include the following.
1.       Targeted law enforcement: Multnomah County Sheriffs Department will focus increased marine law enforcement in the area at key times. Informational flyers and signs will provide clear direction for boaters to report violations and unsafe boating.
2.       Wake Education Campaign: This will focus on Ross Island but will include signage at access points from Willamette Falls to Multnomah Channel. The campaign will include development and distribution of information cards addressing boat wake impacts and user conflict issues, and will be distributed via direct mail, local boat dealers and liveries, law enforcement contacts, kiosks and other distribution points.
3.       Stereo noise restrictions: The Marine Board will work cooperatively with City of Portland and Multnomah County to address and restrict loud stereos on boats within Ross Island Lagoon and Holgate Channel.
4.       Monitoring: Marine Board will work with law enforcement and user groups to monitor user conflict and safety issues in the area, and adapt responses as needed.
 
These items will be implemented during the next month, says Henry. The Board also supported a rulemaking process that specifically addresses motorboat use in the Holgate Channel. The first is to establish a slow-no-wake zone within 100' of Ross Island, which includes the contiguous Hardtack Island to the south. This zone creates a corridor for paddlers between East Island and Hardtack Island, and will help separate higher-speed motorboats from manually powered boats throughout the entire channel.
In addition, staff is recommending a rule to restrict wake-enhancing devices in the channel. This will further address concerns of large wakes impacting small boats.  “We also need to be more aggressive in responding to unsafe operation,” said Henry, “such as when a boat wake tips or swamps another boat. Every boater is responsible for his or her wake. If someone gets hurt by your wake, you are liable.”
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