Why do boaters need an Aquatic Invasive Species Prevention Permit (AISPP)?

• Aquatic invasive species seriously damage waterbodies.  Species like the quagga mussel and Eurasian watermilfoil "hitchhike" from one body of water to the next, primarily on boats.  Revenues from permits will fund a new statewide prevention program to help protect our waters.
• Quagga and zebra mussels can quickly encrust surfaces and cause severe economic and environmental harm.  If they spread to the Pacific Northwest, the threats to hydropower, irrigated agriculture, drinking water, recreation and salmon recovery will be immeasurable. The invasive mussels were first found in the West in 2007. Quagga and zebra mussels have spread throughout the lower Colorado River system and major water distribution systems.  They now infest western waterbodies in NEVADA, CALIFORNIA, ARIZONA, COLORADO, TEXAS and UTAH. 

 
Are there any exemptions to the new law?   
 
Yes, but they're very limited and specific.

• Non-motorized boats and float toys under 10 feet in length;
• Federal, state, county and municipality-owned watercraft used for official business;
• A ship's lifeboat used solely for lifesaving purposes;
• Seaplanes;
• Eleemosynary groups; (Eleemosynary organizations are those which are operated primarily as a part of organized activities for the purpose of teaching youths scoutcraft, camping, seamanship, self-reliance, patriotism, courage and kindred virtues). Defined in ORS 830.790.
  
• Surfboards, sailboards and kiteboards.
  

 
Is there a minimum age?

• The Marine Board has adopted language setting the minimum age requirement for the Aquatic Invasive Species Prevention Permit to age 14, making it consistent with Oregon's fishing license requirement. 
• Manually powered boats 10 feet long and longer are required to have an Aquatic Invasive Species Prevention permit on board ONLY if the operator is an individual age 14 or older. 
• Youth 13 or younger are not required to carry a permit.  Note that all non-motorized boats under 10 feet are exempt from the permit requirement.

 
What if I lose my permit?  How do I get a replacement?

• No replacements will be issued.  Boaters will need to purchase another permit.

 
What does this mean for those with manually powered boats (paddlecraft)?

• Manually powered boats (paddle boards, rafts, drift boats, kayaks, canoes, etc.) 10 feet long and longer will need to carry one permit per boat when in use.
• Permits are transferrable to other manually powered craft. 
• Permits can be loaned to friends and family members.
• Permits are available as either a one year or two year permit. The one year permit expires on December 31 of the year issued and the two year permit expires on December 31 of the second year issued.

   
For example:

1. If there are three people in a drift boat, only one of them is required to carry a permit. 
2. If there are three people in three kayaks, each individual needs to carry a permit on board.

• The same permit is required for Oregon residents AND out-of-state visitors using manually powered boats.  
• Permits are printed on water-resistant paper from ODFW and as tyvek tags from the Marine Board.

 
Why do motorized boats pay $5 every two years and non-motorized $7 ($5 permit plus $2 agent fee) each year?

• Boat registration decals are non-transferrable -AND they adhere to the bow of the boat.  However, manually powered permits are transferrable.  The person can use it on other non-motorized boats. 
• Permits are NOT transferrable from non-motorized boats to motorized craft.

 
What about sailboats under 12 feet?

• Sailboats under 12 feet are not required to be registered with the Marine Board.  So if a sailboat is between 10 and 12 feet, the boater will also need a $7 annual permit ($5 + $2 agent fee). 

 
What about livery (rental businesses)?

• Non-motorized liveries (rental businesses) will receive a quantity discount on permits which must be purchased directly from the Oregon State Marine Board. 

 
What about clubs?

• Clubs can purchase multiple permits for use by members and friends.

 
What about Stand-Up Paddle Boards (SUP's).  Do they need a permit?

• YES. The USCG determined that stand-up paddle boards are considered boats for the purpose of life jacket requirements. Based on this determination, and if the stand-up paddle board is 10 feet or longer, the operator would need to have a permit.

 
What about boats from Washington or Idaho?

• Boats from Idaho that have  an Idaho Aquatic Invasive Species Prevention sticker do not need an Oregon permit if boating within the mainstem of the Snake River.
• Boats from Washington do not need an Oregon permit if boating within the mainstem of the Columbia River.
• Manually powered boats from Washington or Idaho may launch in Oregon tributaries within ONE RIVER MILE of the Columbia or Snake rivers (common interstate boundary waters) without a permit, only for the purposes of accessing the Columbia and Snake rivers.
• All manually powered boats UNDER 10 feet long are exempt from the permit requirement.

 
Does this mean non-motorized boats will have to be registered?

• No.  Non-motorized boats are NOT titled or registered under the program.  Fees from permits are deposited directly into a fund dedicated to this program.  The funds generated from the program do not contribute to the state's general fund.  Some of the funds will be transferred to ODFW to implement the boat inspection aspect of the program and Oregon State Police for law enforcement services.

 
What about surf boards, sailboards or kiteboards?  Do they need a permit?

• No, based on the definition of a "boat," these devices are exempt.  All "boats" 10 feet long or longer will need an aquatic invasive species prevention permit. 
• The AIS permit rule (250-010-0650) includes "manually powered boat" which requires an aquatic invasive species prevention permit.  
• A "boat" is defined in ORS 830.005 (2): “Boat” means every description of watercraft, including a seaplane on the water and not in flight, used or capable of being used as a means of transportation on the water, but does not include boathouses, floating homes, air mattresses, beach and water toys or single inner tubes. 

   What does this mean to the motor boater with a boat registered in Oregon?

• Registered  boaters (including registered sailboats 12 feet and longer) will pay an additional $5 surcharge when they renew their boat registration.  Current boat decals (which are stickers that attach to the bow of the boat) are proof that you've paid the permit fee.  Renewal notifications will itemize the cost of registration and the $5 surcharge so boaters understand how their fees are used.
• If you also have paddle craft in addition to your motorized vessel, you will need individual permits when the paddle craft are in use.  Permits for non-motorized vessels can be purchased through the Marine Board office in Salem and are also being sold online through ODFW ONLINE LICENSE SALES.

What about motorized boats in multi-jurisdictional waters like the Columbia and Snake rivers?

• Boats registered in Washington or Idaho do not need an Oregon-issued Aquatic Invasive Species Prevention Permit to operate or launch from Oregon into the Columbia River (Washington boaters ) or Snake River (Idaho boaters), or tributaries within ONE RIVER MILE of the Columbia and Snake Rivers for the purposes of accessing them.
• Washington and Idaho boaters need a permit when boating in Oregon's state waters including reservoirs, the Multnomah Channel, the Willamette, Deschutes, John Day and other rivers.
• Washington boaters pay a surcharge for aquatic invasive species prevention when they register their boats in Washington.
• Idaho has a similar Aquatic Invasive Species Prevention Permit program.  Registered boaters from Idaho have a permit affixed to their boats.   

 
What about drift boats with auxiliary motors?

• If a drift boat is currently registered with the Marine Board, the $5 permit fee will automatically be included.  If your registration is due to expire, then your renewal notification will  include the $5 surcharge.

 
What about sailboats?  Are they exempt?

• No.  Owners of sailboats between 10' and 12' must also have a permit. 
• Sailboats 12' and longer are required to register their boat with the Marine Board and the fee is automatically included with the registration fee.

 
Can I use a non-motorized permit for my power boat?

• No.  Non-motorized permits are like a fishing license that the paddler needs to have with them when using the boat on the water. 

 
Can I use my registration decals if I want to use my kayak or canoe?

• No.  Motorized boats have a registration decal that adheres to the bow of the motor boat -and are not transferrable to other watercraft.  A separate permit needs to be purchased for the kayak or canoe.

 
What if my boat is federally documented (Documented Vessels)? 

• Documented vessels are still required to be registered in Oregon, so the permit surcharge is included with the registration fee.

 What about out-of-state visitors?

• Non-resident motor boaters who trailer a boat into the state and launch in Oregon's waters are required to purchase a non-resident permit. The permit costs $22 ($20 permit + $2 agent fee).
• Permits will be available ONLY through ODFW license agents, ODFW offices that sell licenses and on the ODFW ONLINE LICENSE SALES.
• Out-of-state permits will not be sold through boat registration agents or the Oregon State Marine Board. 

 
What if an out-of-state motor boater also has a manually powered boat they want to use?

• The $22 non-resident motorized permit is NOT transferrable to the manually powered craft.
• If the manually powered boat is in use, then the operator will need to carry a non-motorized boat permit.

 
Do I need a permit if I'm an ocean-only boater? 

• Yes. 
• Oregon waters are defined as from the coastal shoreline to three miles out to sea. 

 
What if I'm only crabbing in a coastal bay or estuary?

• Boaters will also need to have a permit.

 
Two-year Tyvek tags for paddlecraft are for sale through the Marine Board office in Salem and can be ordered via mail by downloading an online application and mailing it to the Marine Board office. 
 
Tyvek tags can also be purchased for one-year OR two-years, by a variety of dealers statewide.  The cost of the one year tag is $5 and $10 for two years.   
   
The map below includes OSMB dealers (no snail icon) who sell one &/OR two-year Tyvek tags and ODFW license agents (fish icons), statewide. 

Double click inside the map to fly in or use the scroll bar at the left of the map.  Map not working? Let us know...feedback. 

Registered motorboat owners do not need to buy a permit: the fee is automatically added to the cost of registration.  Current registration decals are proof of payment into the Aquatic Invasive Species Permit program.

 HB 2583 -ORS. 830.560 
 
This law prohibits launching a boat if there are any visible aquatic species on the hull, motor, trailer or related equipment, or any invasive species inside the boat.  The goal of the law is to prevent aquatic invasive plants, shellfish or other organisms from being released into un-infested waters. This law focuses on the launch, not the transport or retrieval of a boat.
 
All of us need to take responsiblity in keeping our waterways clean from aquatic invasive species that can clog waterways and damage fisheries.
 
Boaters will need to incorporate a few "housekeeping" protocols into their outdoor planning. This way the boat operator can find a suitable location after a day of boating to clean his or her boat.  Learn to "Clean, Drain and Dry." 
 
Suitable locations are:

• self-serve carwashes or permeable surfaces (lawn, gravel driveway, etc.) away from storm drains, ditches or creeks. 
• A good garden hose, soapy water and a brush or sponge is all you need. 

 
Also, be sure to:

• drain interior compartments (live well or bilge area), leave all hatches open and let the boat dry in the sun -if possible. 
• Don't forget to clean mud off anchor ropes, waders, crab rings, fishing gear and other equipment.

 
Enforcement
This is a Class B infraction with a maximum fine of $287.  The objective is not to issue citations but to educate and ensure compliance with the new law. 

• One year paper permits can be purchased at Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife license agents ODFW offices that sell licenses (www.dfw.state.or.us/resources/licenses), and ODFW's ONLINE LICENSE SALES. If a permit is purchased online, PRINT the permit and protect it (enclose the permit in a zip-lock, etc.) from water damage.
• Permits purchased through ODFW cost $7 ($5 permit plus $2 agent fee).

 

   

Boaters who operate a non-motorized boat 10  feet  or  more  in  length without  aquatic  invasive  species  permit will be fined $30  and  motorboats, $50 (in addition to not having valid OR numbers displayed on the motorboat).

Mandatory Boat Inspections

 

Inspection stations are set up for the 2012 recreational boating season at the points of entry into Oregon and will also be set up at random locations.  Failure to stop at an inspection station could result in a $110 fine.