| OSMB News |
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| Thursday, September 21, 2006 |
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Marine Board Approves New Rule for Elk Lake, Other Items
For Immediate Release
The Oregon State Marine Board approved a new “electric motor only” rule for Elk Lake in Marion County. A request was received in late March from Clackamas River Trout Unlimited, seeking an electric-motor-only rule for the lake. The lake previously had no speed limit or motor restrictions.
Elk Lake has difficult road access for trailered boats, has extremely limited parking and an undeveloped boat launch area. Nearly all public comments on the proposal sought to maintain the current remote ambiance and quiet use of the lake. Therefore, the Board agreed to an electric-motor-only rule. The new rule will go into affect in November.
The Board also approved initiating the rulemaking process to consider satellite telephones as an alternative to single sideband radio when operating beyond 20 miles offshore. The Board also decided to expand the scope of the project to include a thorough review of the current equipment requirements for Oregon ’s ocean charter vessels. This process is expected to be completed in the spring of 2007.
The Curry County Sheriff, Mark Metcalf, brought forward safety concerns about jet boat use on the lower section of the Illinois River. The Board directed staff to further investigate user conflicts in this area, to work with Curry County to improve signage and to initiate the rulemaking process that would consider jet boat restrictions during low summer flows. A public input process is scheduled for November.
In other items, the Board approved an anchor exclusion to protect environmental restoration work at the McCormick & Baxter superfund site on the lower Willamette River.
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