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WhitePaper OSMB 7 3 18 PDF
WhitePaper OSMB 7 3 18 PDF
WhitePaper OSMB 7 3 18 PDF
A Dynamic River
Erosion is often cited by people petitioning the Marine Board as the primary reason to adopt boating
restrictions. Erosion is a natural process that can be exacerbated by any number of human activities. No
matter the cause, erosion in developed areas typically draws the most attention and concern.
The Willamette River is dynamic, forever changing depending on many factors. The first major human
impacts began early in statehood as shorelines were rip‐rapped to protect land, and the US Army Corps
of Engineers installed pilings in tight lines to cause the river to self‐dredge and deepen channels. But the
largest changes came between 1941 and 1969 with construction of 13 large dams. This dramatically
reduced winter flooding, sediment transport, fish passage and many other natural cycles. It opened up
areas to urban development and agriculture. Dredging came and went along with commercial barging.
In 2008, federal agencies issued biological opinions implementing profound changes in dam operations
to protect endangered species. Flow regimes were changed to again mimic natural cycles. PGE
completed major projects at Willamette Falls providing more active control of the Willamette Falls dam
to ensure optimal flows for migrating salmonids and raising the summer time level of the Newberg Pool.
But that’s just what happened to water flows. Between 2000 and 2018, residential structures along the
Newberg Pool increased dramatically with a proportional increase in the number of docks lining the
waterway. Docks are often attached to land by gangways which require cuts through the river bank.
Manicured lawns, chemical fertilizers, irrigation systems and other upland development further
destabilize riparian areas by removing deep, heavy root structures and moving water quickly towards
exposed banks. Satellite photos taken in 2000 and 2018 clearly document development of upland
properties and a reduction in riparian vegetation.
Boating Changes
Boating has also evolved rapidly in this time period. The number of motor boats smaller than 16 feet has
declined 35% in the last 20 years (from 98,632 to 63,851) while the number of motor boats 20 feet and
larger has increased 64% (from 27,782 to 45,575). Technology has enabled moderately sized boats to be
physically or mechanically ballasted to create larger or differently shaped wakes. These wakes allow new
sporting opportunities, but also increase the responsibility of boat operators to recognize that the wake
their boat creates will travel further and carry more energy. Various studies on boat wakes are available
online, and a comprehensive report compiled by the Marine Board provides a good jumping off point to
review available literature.
In the midst of the increase in wake sports, the popularity of non‐motorized boating has injected
thousands of novice paddlers directly onto rivers long popular with motorboat operators. A new non‐
motorized launch point at Butteville exemplifies this trend. If all boaters ‐ motorized and non‐motorized
‐ don’t maintain a proper lookout, safety issues frequently occur.
Solutions
Again, this document is a jumping off point encouraging competing viewpoints to recognize the larger
issues related to conflict on the Newberg Pool. Recreational boating is a traditional, family‐friendly
activity that benefits the economy in many ways. Oregon’s waters belong to the public and the courts
have long upheld the right of the public to navigate in areas where boats can make reasonable progress.
The Federal Government asserts jurisdiction on the Willamette River all the way to Eugene, and the river
has seen commercial shipping use since the early years of statehood. If Willamette Locks is eventually
re‐opened, there will likely be commercial use in the forms of jet boat tours and barges once again.
Boating will likely continue to evolve and new and creative forms of recreation are just around the
corner.
Solutions depend on how you frame a problem. It is the Marine Board’s contention that a meaningful
solution should be objectively applied to address primary contributing factors. Following are the
principal stated reasons that regulations have been proposed on the Newberg Pool.
Erosion
Erosion can introduce sediment and unwanted nutrients into the water, raising water temperature,
reducing oxygen, and suffocating aquatic organisms. Collapsing banks undermine buildings, cut into
gardens and landscaping and depreciate property values. Erosion occurs naturally on all rivers, and
changes in erosion rates have many causes. There are no studies of the Newberg Pool indicating which
human activities contribute most, which means a solution based solely on boat operation may not yield
tangible benefits. No state agency has linked water quality concerns in this area specifically to boating
activity.
Dock Damage
The Willamette River rises and falls dramatically over the course of a season. Trees break loose and hit
docks, debris gathers, pilings move and falter over time. Wind, boats and boat wakes, and a lack of care
and maintenance, all contribute to dock damage. In Oregon, there are no statewide construction
standards for docks. A poorly designed, built or worn‐out dock will not withstand high flows, debris or
wakes and waves, making it difficult or impossible to link boat operations to damage or failure.
Safety
Boating fatalities have decreased dramatically in recent decades, but new uses require ongoing
education and vigilant law enforcement to keep numbers low. The Marine Board continually works with
Clackamas and Yamhill counties to focus enforcement and will conduct special enforcement operations
on the Newberg Pool in 2018. There is more to be done. Boaters MUST observe basic boating safety
regulations, such as proper life jacket use, maintaining a forward lookout, observing current regulations,
and not operating while impaired. They must be courteous by giving wide berth to private structures
and turning their stereos down. Community partnerships help law enforcement address unacceptable
behavior, but responsible operation would negate the need for more restrictions.
Summary
The Oregon State Marine Board exists as defined in Oregon Revised Statute Chapter 830. It is directed to
implement registration services to fund marine law enforcement and facilities development. It is
charged with regulating boating “upon consideration of the size of a body of water and traffic
conditions,” as well as numerous other factors. The Board analyzes accident data to develop
enforcement strategies, rules and education. Minimizing user conflict is also a priority, but these
regulatory solutions are, by their nature, subjective, contentious and emotional. When environmental
degradation is a concern, broad contributing factors should be examined, quantified and addressed
using solutions that achieve measurable results and involve all stakeholders.