For Immediate Release

Date: October 4, 2005

Marine Board Funds Projects

The Oregon State Marine Board granted over $152,210 in state boater fees for boating projects at its meeting held in Bend on Wednesday, September 28. The projects, when combined with federal and local funds, will result in boating facility enhancements worth an estimated $214,637.

The Marine Board approved a grant request from the City of Depoe Bay for Depoe Bay Harbor for $136,500 with the remainder contributed by the applicant. The full project cost is $146,500. The project will provide a fuel station at the harbor. The fuel station will decrease the possibility of spills and damage to the environment while serving boaters launching or mooring in the small harbor.

The Marine Board also approved a grant request from Columbia Crossing to replace six pumpout stations at Tomahawk Bay, Jantzen Bay and Hayden Bay on the Columbia River. The full project cost is $68,137. The Marine Board approved the grant for $15,709 with an additional $47,127 from federal Clean Vessel Act funds and the remainder from the applicant.

Among other items on the agenda, the board voted to proceed with the rulemaking process regarding Senate Bill 579 and House Bill 2084 passed by the Oregon Legislative this session. SB-579 creates new requirements for guides and passengers to wear life jackets in Class III and higher whitewater. It also requires throw-bags and training of whitewater guides. HB-2084 clarifies the subject of reciprocity for Oregon and Washington fishing guides on the Columbia River. Both bills become effective January 1, 2006.

After the review of a proposed low wake zone on the Willamette River in the Milwaukie/Lake Oswego area, public comment and site visitations, the Board approved the following outreach plans in lieu of new regulation: Launch a new safety/courtesy campaign, wake enforcement policy review and development of recommended dock construction guidelines for private individuals. “We heard from a lot of people on this issue and recognize that wakes from large boats appear to be a growing problem in several areas of the state. The proposed low wake zone was an intriguing thought but wouldn’t have solved the underlying issue- only displaced it,” remarked Randy Henry, Planning & Policy Analyst for the Oregon State Marine Board. “Instead, we want to implement these outreach actions while closely monitoring activity over the next two years. If the problem grows unabated, we’ll explore regulatory restrictions. Hopefully, people will recognize the need to operate responsibly before they are saddled with additional regulations.”

In other business, the Board received a summary of the 2005 Triennial Survey. The survey showed that statewide boat use days increased significantly since 2001. Rivers and reservoirs are the favorite boating destinations in Oregon; the Columbia and Willamette rivers, Detroit Lake and Lake Billy Chinook, respectively. Multnomah, Lane, Clackamas and Douglas counties topped the list for boating activity, respectively. The average age of the primary boat operator increased to 56 in 2004, up from 53.6 in 2001. The full report “Boating in Oregon, Triennial Survey Results-2005” will be completed the beginning of November.

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