Marine Board Seeks Written Public Comment on Towed Watersport Rules in the Newberg Pool, Feb. 5

The Oregon State Marine Board is accepting written public comment on proposed rule changes to boat operations on the Willamette River in the Newberg Pool. The Board directed staff to draft rules at their January 22 meeting held in Salem. The proposed rules would amend regulations on the Willamette River between river miles 30 and 50 to restrict wake surfing in multiple areas and define other areas in which all towed watersports, except wake surfing, would be prohibited. Additionally, the public can provide testimony on the proposed rules at a public hearing on March 9, 2020, from 9 am to 4 pm. The hearing will be held at the Marine Board office, 435 Commercial Street NE, Suite 400, in Salem. Written comments will be accepted until March 22, 2020, at 11:55 pm and can be submitted to osmb.rulemaking@oregon.gov or by U.S. Mail to Jennifer Cooper, Administrative Rules Coordinator, Oregon State Marine Board, 435 Commercial Street NE, Salem, OR 97301. Testimony by telephone will not be accepted. To view the proposed rule language, visit https://www.oregon.gov/osmb/info/Documents/Rulemaking/RulemakingNotice_NewbergPool.pdf.