Marine Board Seeks Public Comment on Petition for Rogue River, Feb. 22

The Oregon State Marine Board received a petition on February 13, 2017, for boat operations on the Upper Rogue River in Jackson County. The petitioners are proposing to adopt a new rule in OAR 250-020-0151 to ban boats propelled by jet pump or air propeller drives from Table Rock Road Bridge (at mile 131.3) upstream to the barrier dam at Cole Rivers Fish Hatchery (mile 155.7), except for emergencies, law enforcement, and emergency training by the Jackson County Sheriff’s Department. The petitioners cite user conflict, preserving traditional uses, respecting the interests of riverfront landowners, avoiding conflict with fish and wildlife and public safety as key drivers for the petition. Written comments are being accepted until Friday, March 31, 2017 by 5 pm and can be submitted via email to osmb.rulemaking@oregon.gov or by U.S. mail to: June LeTarte, Administrative Rules Coordinator, 435 Commercial St. NE, Suite 400, P.O. Box 14145, Salem, OR 97309-5056.  Comments via telephone will not be accepted. To view the petition, visit http://www.oregon.gov/OSMB/info/Pages/Rulemaking-and-Public-Notices.aspx.