| OSMB News |
 |
|
 |
| For Immediate Release |
|
5/5/08
DiamondLake10 –MPH Speed Limit Returns
In accordance with Oregon Legislature direction, the boating speed limit at Diamond Lake is now back to 10-mph. The reinstated speed limit took affect on April 26 –though the lake itself is still iced over from heavy winter snows.
A 45-mph speed limit was enacted in 1999 by the Oregon Legislature as a way to lure boaters to the lake after the trout fishery suffered a severe decline due to the infestation of the tui chub. As part of the legislation, the legislature directed the Marine Board to rescind the speed limit once the lake was deemed healthy enough to stock with fish. Tui chub were poisoned in the fall of 2006 and the lake was restocked in 2007. In January 2008, the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife issued a letter to the Marine Board stating the lake had been restored. The letter triggered the regulation change.
“We got a lot of comments during the comment period, pretty much 50-50 about the speed limit change going back to 10-mph,” said Randy Henry, the Marine Board’s operations policy analyst. “We’re happy to provide the comments we received to local legislators for their consideration in the 2009 session.” Several Oregon lakes have their speed limits set in statute. Henry note that some anglers preferred the faster speed limit and other boaters preferred the option of waterskiing. “The 10-mph speed limit pretty much sets aside a lake for fishing,” said Henry. “Unfortunately, modern boats make their largest wake at 10-mph, which can be a safety and erosion concern.”
###
|
|
|
|
