Dock Replacement at Bullards Beach, Jan. 12

The Oregon State Marine Board met on January 7, in Portland, and approved a grant extension for the dock replacement at Bullards Beach State Park, opened rulemaking to consider long-term moorage rules for lakes in Jefferson County, and approved revisions to the Scenic Waterway rules. In June of 2015, the Board approved a facility grant for Bullards Beach State Park which was conditional, based on permit approvals. Oregon State Parks requested an extension in order to obtain all necessary permits. The Board authorized a 60-day extension. In response to a petition from the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, the Board also approved initiating the rulemaking process to consider new boat operation rules on lakes in Jefferson County. Proposed rules would prohibit mooring in the same location for more than 16 days and would require a boat to move at least five river miles from its original location on the waterbody. The rulemaking petition also requested a prohibition on leaving boats unattended overnight except in approved marinas and docks. The agency will convene a rules advisory committee comprised of members representing boaters, local businesses, concessionaires, Portland General Electric, as well as tribal, county and federal agencies, to help develop draft rule language that would accomplish the intent of the petition but would not unintentionally impact the local businesses or homeowners. Additionally, the Board adopted rules in Division 030, Scenic Waterways. The rules are concurrent with Federal Wild and Scenic Waterway rules. By this action, the Board repealed OAR 250-030-0010, -0020, and sections of -0030, which were adopted in the mid-1970’s and are no longer applicable. Boating restrictions in OAR 250-030-0030 and 250-030-0041 were repealed, and then re-adopted, by waterbody within Division 030. The rules will be filed and become effective on February 1, 2016. To review the staff report and learn more, visit http://www.oregon.gov/OSMB/Pages/admin/members.aspx.