Spring Boating -Expect Downed Trees and Other Obstructions, March 26

In the last few weeks, the Oregon State Marine Board and local sheriff’s office marine patrols were notified by boaters about several dangerous navigation obstructions resulting from wind storms and rainfall. River banks are saturated in some areas, resulting in landslides and tree falls. The Marine Board reminds boaters who are venturing out in the beautiful weather to scout ahead, know where to put-in and take-out, pay attention to posted warnings, carefully read the river and check the Marine Board website ahead of time to learn where the known obstructions are located. “The boating obstructions page is a huge resource for boaters,” says Ashley Massey, Public Information Officer for the Marine Board. “When we receive notification about a navigation obstruction, we contact the county marine officers who patrol that waterway. They assess the obstruction and make recommendations to agency staff about potential mitigation.” The Marine Board is only authorized to remove obstructions that are an “extraordinary hazard to boating safety.” If there is a need to mitigate, the Board will work with stakeholders to determine the best course of action, and will consult with partner agencies to minimize environmental impact. For every obstruction that’s reported and assessed, the website will also list an action plan by all the parties involved,” Massey adds. To learn where the reported navigation obstructions are: http://www.oregon.gov/OSMB/Pages/safety/navigation_hazards.aspx. To learn more about how to Boat Oregon and the Marine Board, visit www.boatoregon.com.