This “News Update” was created by the Oregon River Safety and Preservation Alliance (ORSPA) to highlight current activity or issues affecting neighbors along the Newberg Pool area of the Willamette River.
ORSPA News Update -- April 10, 2019
To help improve communication, ORSPA has created this “News Update” to highlight current activity or issues affecting neighbors along the Newberg Pool area of the Willamette River.
Marine Board Adopts New Rules for the Newberg Pool
The Oregon State Marine Board has adopted new rules for boat operations in the Newberg Pool. Please see the full text of the rule using this link.
Marine Board Seeks Written Public Comment on Proposed Rules for the Willamette River Newberg Pool
The Oregon State Marine Board seeks public comment on proposed rules between river mile 30 to river mile 50 on the Willamette River in an area known as the “Newberg Pool” to replace the existing boat operation rules. The Marine Board approved opening rulemaking for the area after being presented with a plan jointly crafted by representatives from the wake board industry and the Oregon River Safety and Preservation Alliance.
Additionally, the public is also invited to provide comment on the proposed rule language on January 9, 2019, Rose Room, Wilsonville Public Library, 8200 SW Wilsonville Rd. in Wilsonville. Marine Board staff will be on site from Noon to 7:00 pm. Stop in at any time during the open time period to testify on your response to the following question:
ARE YOU IN FAVOR OF THE PROPOSED RULE LANGUAGE FOR THE WILLAMETTE RIVER-NEWBERG POOL
Yes or No. If No, suggest an alternative proposal.
In summary, proximity rules for towed watersport operation and slow-no wake for motorized boats are being proposed, in addition to seasonal restrictions for anchoring and non-motorized boats, and designating zones with additional restrictions. Marine Board staff created a story map outlining the proposed rules in a visual format for clarity: http://arcg.is/0W59b5.
Written comments will be accepted until January 13, 2019, at 5 pm. Comments can be submitted by email to osmb.rulemaking@oregon.gov or by U.S. Mail to: June LeTarte, Administrative Rules Coordinator, Oregon State Marine Board, 435 Commercial St. NE., Suite 400, Salem, OR 97301.
Wave Wake Study
Please click here to read the Wave Wake Study: HB4099 Motorboat Working Group paper published by the Australian Maritime College (AMC).
Please click here to read the Additional Analysis by the AMC.
Special Emphasis Patrols Planned for Newberg Pool
The Oregon State Marine Board, in coordination with Yamhill, Marion and Clackamas County Marine Patrols, will be conducting elevated enforcement on the Willamette River in the area known as the “Newberg Pool” during the weekend of June 22-24. The purpose of this effort is to ensure safe and legal operation in an area that receives numerous complaints each season.
Please see the full article here.
Marine Board to Hold Public Hearings on Wake Sports
The Oregon State Marine Board will be holding three public hearings at the following locations to gather feedback on proposed statewide rules of operation for wake sports.
Deschutes County Services Building, Barnes Sawyer Meeting Room, 1300 NW Wall St. in Bend on June 28, beginning at 11 am;
Jackson County Parks, Auditorium Room, 7520 Table Rock Rd. in Central Point on July 10, beginning at 6 pm; and,
Oregon State Marine Board, Conference Room, 435 Commercial St. NE in Salem on August 15, beginning at 6 pm.
Please read the full article here.
Buoying a Safer River
Members of the Oregon River Safety & Preservation Alliance installed buoys along the Willamette River aiming to curb fast boat speeds close to shore. Read more in this article from Pamplin Media Group.
New Boating Rule on Willamette Between Newberg and Canby
The Oregon State Marine Board is reminding boaters – specifically operators of boats with ballast tanks, wedges or other devices designed to enhance boat wakes – that use of the devices on the Willamette River between Newberg and Canby is prohibited.