aquatic invasive species prevention program

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1 Underway Brought to you by the OSMB and the U.S. Coast Guard SPRING 2010 MAKEOVER 2 facilities edition years of boating in oregon aquatic invasive species prevention program 5 Photo courtesy the Recreational Boating and Fishing Foundation Become a fan

2 extreme makeover facilities edition he M. James Gleason boat launch on the Columbia River, just minutes from downtown Portland, is one of Oregon s most used boat launches. Locals and out-ofstate boaters are lured to this prime river access facility for a wide variety of yearround outdoor recreation and angling opportunities. On March 20, 2010, the third phase of the extreme makeover at M. James Gleason was completed and the popular boat launch was re-opened to the public. The makeover concept began with a 1998 master plan developed through a collaborative effort between Metro, the Marine Board, Multnomah County and the Port of Portland. Because the plan called for such a massive upgrade to the entire site, the high cost of the proposed improvements had to be spread out over several years. As it nears completion, M. James Gleason has already benefited from the single greatest investment of state boater funds at one location in the Marine Board s 51-year history. By all reports, the cost and the wait have been worth it. Here s how the makeover unfolded: the phases: Demolition of the old road and entry and construction of a safer, reconfigured entry/exit road. Cost: $221, New wave/debris wall, new transient tie up floats and gangway, new piles, and a new vessel waste pumpout. In addition, the County boat houses and utilities were relocated. Cost: $2,200, New ramp, new boarding floats, completion of the wave/debris wall with additional piles, and removal of the old trash rack. Cost: $1,600,000. And coming soon The final phase of construction will bring a new parking lot layout designed to maximize space and improve flow, safety/ directional signage, and a new restroom. 4 BEFORE Funding for the makeover of M. James Gleason (including Metro-funded artwork on the debris panels) comes from a variety of sources including: Metro, Multnomah County, state boater funds provided through Marine Board grants, federal Clean Vessel Act and Boating Infrastructure grants administered by the US Fish & Wildlife Service, and federal Sport Fish Restoration funds administered by the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife and USFWS. 2 Underway Newsletter

3 The M. James Gleason boat ramp s new facelift touts: A new, state-of-the-art wave deflection wall with 17 concrete panels to deflect debris and dissipate wakes. The new staggered wall design has openings between sections allowing fish to pass through easily; New docks, gangway and pumpout for transient boaters, and; New four-lane concrete launch ramp with new boarding floats and support piles. Look for these new improvements made possible with your fees and fuel taxes... AFTER history This four-acre site was originally owned by the Port of Portland and was purchased by Multnomah County in the mid-1950 s for $1 on the condition it would be for public use. In 1959, Multnomah County spent $104,605 for filling and placing rip rap on the shoreline prior to constructing an asphalt ramp and parking lot. In 1962, floats and piles were added for $13,258. Around 1980 the ramp was dedicated the M. James Gleason Boat Ramp in honor of Mike Gleason, the first Chairman of the Multnomah County Board of Commissioners who served a record 26 years in this public position. After two terms as a state representative, he was elected to the Board in 1948 and served continuously until his retirement in Gleason was a commercial fisherman on the Columbia River and an avid boating enthusiast. He also was instrumental in developing other boating access locations in the county. Waterbody Owner Boating Site Improvements Total Cost Willamette River City of Gladstone Meldrum Bar New restroom, repaving and new circulation pattern $67,060 Green Peter Reservoir Linn County Whitcomb Creek & Thistle Creek New boarding floats $138,000 Coos Bay Port of Coos Bay Charleston Repaving and restriping of parking area $88,207 Prineville Reservoir State Parks Powder House Cove State Park Paving of gravel parking area $267,000 Winchester Bay Salmon Harbor Marina Salmon Harbor East Basin Paving of gravel parking area $323,680 Clatskanie River Columbia County Beaver Landing Paving of parking area and overflow lot $115,924 And watch for these improvements in the near future... Waterbody Owner Boating Site Improvements Rogue River Josephine County Indian Mary Park New launch ramp and boarding floats Willamette River City of Lake Oswego Foothills Park Transient tie-up docks Siletz River Lincoln County Bear Creek (New) Launch ramp and parking Odell Lake US Forest Service Princess Creek Launch ramp and boarding floats Bully Creek Reservoir Malheur County County Park Launch ramp and boarding floats Spring

4 input needed for boating facilities six-year plan w hat improvements would you like to see at your favorite boat ramp? Is there enough parking? Does the restroom need to be replaced? Is there a drop off at the end of the ramp? The Marine Board would like to hear from you! Every six years, the Boating Facilities Program compiles a list of improvements that need to be made at launch sites on Oregon s lakes and rivers. The last plan covered and cataloged $156 million in identified needs at 705 sites in Oregon, including some new access locations to consider. The identified needs were compiled by county and can be viewed at OSMB/BoatFac/SixYear.shtml. Because the needs will continue to outnumber the funds available, we also ask boaters to identify how important the proposed improvements are: from high priority (an urgent fix is needed) to low priority (it sure would be nice if ). For the Plan, the agency will collect information on-line through our website and through evening workshops in strategic locations around the state. Give us your feedback, by visiting or.us/services/surveys/survey. php?sid=715. You can identify needs at as many sites as you like, and even suggest new access points. Thanks for helping identify where there is a need. regulated navigation areas established along oregon, washington coasts a fter a year of public comment and nearly a decade of debate, the U.S. Coast Guard adopted new rules in mid December 2009 for Regulated Navigation Areas (RNA) along the Oregon and Washington coasts. For recreational boats, the new rule has minimal effect, but it s still important to know the facts. The rule addresses new life 4 Underway Newsletter jacket requirements for vessels crossing a bar when unsafe conditions exist. These new requirements are based on: 1. The type of vessel (recreational, uninspected passenger vessels, commercial fishing vessels, and inspected small passenger vessels) and; 2. Require vessels of a certain length or smaller that are crossing the bar to have their personnel on deck don life jackets when on deck during a bar restriction to recreational or uninspected passenger vessels. The rule streamlines the process of closing coastal bars within the regulated navigation area when severe environmental conditions exist. The number of bar closures that occur will not be affected by these regulations. The Coast Guard will notify the public of any bar restrictions or closures using VHF marine radio broadcasts and other methods when available, such as 1610 AM radio and rough bar warning lights. For more specific information about boat lengths, etc. visit the Coast Guard s final rule published in Federal Register Vol. 74, No. 220 at gpoaccess.gov/fr/index.html.

5 aquatic invasive species prevention program never launch a dirty boat w hen launching your boat this season, you ll likely see something new: signs and brochures aimed at preventing aquatic invasive species from spreading or gaining a foothold in Oregon s beloved waterways and specially trained personnel to explain why this program is needed. The 2009 Legislature passed HB 2220, directing the Marine Board and the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) to implement the Aquatic Invasive Species Prevention Permit program (AISP). The program was modeled after a similar program in Idaho and is funded through a permit fee on all boats 10 feet long and longer. Because boats are a known vector for transporting aquatic weeds and invertebrates, educating boaters is step one, says Glenn Dolphin, Aquatic Invasive Species Coordinator for the Marine Board. The Marine Board and ODFW are also conducting inspector trainings statewide to build up a core group of people trained to detect infested boats. If a boat is found to be infested, specially trained personnel will make sure the boat is cleaned. This program is designed to be preventative, not punitive, Dolphin adds. Money generated by the permit fees goes back into the program for education materials, signage and outreach, regional inspection teams and decontamination equipment. Inspection teams will focus on high risk waterways, busy boat ramps, tournaments and regattas and will also conduct voluntary check stations near popular waterways. For more information about aquatic invasive species that are already in Oregon and to learn about the ones we want to protect our waterways from, visit com/osmb/clean/ans.shtml. To learn more about the Aquatic Invasive Species Prevention Program, visit boatoregon.com/osmb/clean/ AISPPmain.shtml Registered boaters (including registered sailboats 12 feet and longer) will pay an additional $5 surcharge when they renew their boat registration. Current boat decals (which are stickers that attach to the bow of the boat) are proof that you ve paid the permit fee. Renewal notifications will itemize the cost of registration and the $5 surcharge so boaters understand how their fees are used. If your registration expires on December 31, 2010, you do not need to do anything for the 2010 boating season. The $5 surcharge will be added to your renewal fee. If you also have paddle craft in addition to your motorized vessel, you will need individual permits when the paddle craft are in use. Permits for non-motorized vessels are being sold through Spring

6 Yaquina Bay Lincoln County, Newport, OR Willamette River Lane County, Middle Fork (Section 4) Oakridge, OR Location The mouth of the Yaquina River just south of Newport is on Hwy 101. Follow signs to either South Beach to access the south shore jetty or Yaquina Bay Road to access the north shore. Six points of boating access Six boating access locations are available between Toledo and the Pacific Ocean. Type of Fishing Chinook Salmon (Fall) Sea-run Cutthroat Trout Rockfish Steelhead (Summer) Steelhead (Winter) Sturgeon (White) Crab Location The Middle Fork (Section 4) of the Willamette River heads into the Oregon Cascades and flows through Hills Creek Reservoir, Oakridge on Hwy 58, Lookout Point Reservoir, and Dexter Reservoir before joining the Coast Fork, south of Eugene, to form the mainstem of the Willamette River. Hwy 58 follows this stretch of river upstream to Oakridge, where Forest Roads 23, then 2, and finally 2154 follow the river into the headwaters. 13 points of boating access Thirteen boating access locations are available between Hills Creek Reservoir and Springfield. Photo courtesy ODFW Places to Stay Twenty-three different venues to choose from. Everything from home rentals, bed and breakfasts, inns and four-star hotels, to RV and yurt camping. For specific boat launch information, visit FacilitiesGuideWeb.pdf. Type of Fishing Chinook Salmon (Spring) Cutthroat Trout Rainbow Trout Steelhead (Summer) Smallmouth Bass Places to Stay Oakridge boasts one bed and breakfast, two inns and three motels, and even more options closer to Eugene and Springfield. For specific boat launch information, visit FacilitiesGuideWeb.pdf. 6 Underway Newsletter

7 Crane Prarie Willamette National Forest Deschutes County, La Pine, OR Location Crane Prarie Reservoir on the Deschutes River is southwest of Bend about 50 miles. Take Hwy. 97 south to Hwy. 42 east at Sunriver and turn north on Forest Rd Three points of boating access Crane Prarie Resort Concrete boat launch, restroom, supplies and fish cleaning station. Crane Prarie Day Use Two asphalt boat lanes, moorage, trailer parking, restroom, supplies and fish cleaning station. Crane Prarie Campground Concrete boat launch, restroom, supplies and fish cleaning station. Wallowa Lake Wallowa County, Joseph, OR location Huge, natural, multi-recreational lake near Joseph. Take Hwy 84 east to exit #261 at La Grande, then Hwy 82 to Joseph and Wallowa Lake. Boat ramps and all amenities available. Waterskiiers tend to use the northeast end; anglers, the northwest and southern ends. Type of fishing Brook and Rainbow Trout Largemouth Bass Two points of boating access Wallowa Lake State Park Two concrete boat ramps, trailer parking, restroom and supplies. North Wallowa Lake Two concrete boat ramps, restroom and supplies. Type of Fishing Kokanee Lake Trout Rainbow Trout Photo courtesy RBFF Places to Stay La Pine - places to stay within 16 miles of Crane Prarie Reservoir Six hotels/motels Four RV parks For more detailed information on RV parks, hotels and motels, visit Places to Stay Two bed and breakfasts, one inn, one chalet, two resorts, one village, one lodge, one motel and one RV/motel park. For detailed information about lodging and other accommodations, visit Find any of nearly 1000 boat launch facilities by visiting docs/09-11facilitiesguideweb.pdf To learn about the types of fish and local regulations,visit ODFW s Fish Finder database at 7

8 what s a boat? and why is it important? A boat is required to carry specific safety equipment depending on its length, and boating laws may apply differently depending on what the boat activity is. The fines are stiff for not meeting the equipment (carriage) requirements, for example, having properly-fitting life jackets for everyone on board and a sound producing device. BOAT (noun) (as defined in ORS (2)): All watercraft, including a seaplane on the water and not in flight, used or capable of being used as a means of transportation on the water, but does not include boathouses, floating homes, air mattresses, beach and water toys or single inner tubes. Falling under this definition of a boat are stand up paddleboards, inflatable boats and other multichamber air devices (such as two inner-tubes tied together). Paddleboarders enjoying the Old Mill District in Bend. Photo courtesy the Bend Bulletin it s all about boating and angling in 2010 t s always a great year to go fishing in Oregon, where an avid angler could go fishing 365 days a year. With all the choices available, the hardest part may be deciding what to fish for and where! Each year ODFW stocks 7 million trout in reservoirs, neighborhood ponds and high mountain lakes throughout the state. Or, if you like to fish on the wild side, consider native cutthroat trout in coastal streams or hard-fighting redbands in Central Oregon rivers. We re expecting another banner year for steelhead fishing from coastal streams to the inland rivers of northeast Oregon. Salmon anglers should be gearing up for another good year of coho fishing in the ocean and at Buoy 10. Just about the time the steelhead and salmon runs start to slow, the bass fishing is picking up. Many Oregonians are surprised to learn the Umpqua, John Day and Columbia rivers provide some of the best bass fishing in America. Still trying to decide? Check out the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife s Recreation Report at It includes weekly updates of fishing conditions for streams, rivers, lakes and reservoirs throughout the state. You also can purchase your fishing license at the ODFW Web site. So now that you ve got some ideas, check your boat out, grab your rod and get ready for 365 days of great Oregon fishing. photo courtesy of the Oregonian 8 Underway Newsletter

9 in 2010 all boaters need to carry a boater education card ll Oregon recreational boaters 12 and older must now carry their boater education card when operating power boats greater than 10 horsepower. To qualify for a boater education card, you must show that you have completed an approved education course. Courses are readily available through the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, U.S. Power Squadron, county law enforcement officers and other partners, or via approved Internet courses accessible at Education makes a difference, says MariAnn Koloszar, Marine Board mandatory education coordinator. When it s beautiful outside, people flock to the waterways. When you have congestion, it becomes even more important to know the navigation rules, proper launching techniques and boater etiquette. Accidents are down and law enforcement reports greater than 80 percent compliance with the mandatory education law and now receives fewer complaints from boaters. When boaters play by the same rules, it s safer and more fun on the water, Koloszar adds. The program will now focus on new boaters. Young boaters, people just getting into boating and new residents will be our most common customers now that the age-based phase-in is complete, says Koloszar. As most boaters now know, the mandatory education law requires all persons 12 and older to have a boater education card when operating powerboats greater than 10 horsepower. Youth must have a card to operate a power boat under 10 horse power and must also be supervised by a card-holding adult when operating power boats greater than 10 horsepower. registration & renewal Did you know that a boat registration is good for two calendar years, and in Oregon, the fee has increased only twice in the Marine Board s 50 year history? Taking your family to the movies costs the same as many two-year boat registrations! If your decals are 08 or 09 you can renew online at If you ve lost your PIN, call or our office and we ll help you get started. If your decals are 07 or older, the fastest and easiest way to renew is by mail. Calculate the fee based on $3 per foot, rounded up to the highest foot and add $5 for the Aquatic Invasive Species Permit Program surcharge. (Example: Registration for a 13 feet 3 inches boat = 14 X $3 +$5 or $47) Another option for people with decals that are 07 or older is to visit our office or visit a local agent. For a location of an agent nearest to you, visit OSMB/BoatReg/WhereRegister.shtml. Just bring your old Certificate of Number (registration card) with you. There will be an additional $2.50 charge to receive a temporary permit to operate your boat. The registration team at the Marine Board is ready to give you personal customer service Monday through Friday, 8 am to 5 pm. The registration section can be reached at (503) or by , marine. board@state.or.us. Spring

10 mandatory PFD wear on class III rapids find out water levels in a click The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has real-time data (with teacup diagrams) on reservoir levels and discharge information that s just a click away. Find out how much water is in your favorite reservoir or flow rates of your favorite river by visiting OSMB/access/ ResLevels.shtml new laws for 2010 Aquatic Invasive Species Prevention Permit Program ORS Mandatory Life Jacket Wear for Class III (and higher) Whitewater Rapids ORS / OAR Clean Launch Law ORS No Wake Enhancing Devices on the Lower Willamette River OAR To learn more, visit com/osmb/boatlaws/ ProposedRules.shtml d uring the 2009 Legislative Session, a variety of Deschutes River safety advocates descended on the state capitol to tell state lawmakers that everyone who floats dangerous whitewater rivers in Oregon need to wear a life jacket. The Legislature agreed and passed HB 1079 requiring mandatory lifejacket wear when boating class III or higher whitewater rapids in Oregon. John Huffman (Rep. The Dalles), whose district includes Jefferson County and the northwest corner of Deschutes County, introduced the bill. Since 2006, rafting companies in Bend, Maupin and elsewhere in Oregon have been required to make sure their customers wear life jackets. But people who are not part of a guided trip have no requirement other than having life jackets readily accessible somewhere in their boat. Class III, or intermediate rapids are defined as rapids with moderate, irregular waves which may be difficult to avoid and which can swamp an open boat. Complex maneuvers in fast current and good boat control in tight passages or around ledges are often required; large waves or strainers may be present but are easily avoided. Strong eddies and powerful current effects can be found, particularly on large-volume rivers. Furthermore, depending on river flows, Class III rapids can change. The Marine Board has adopted the American Standard classification and posted on the website a list of statewide rivers and their historic difficulty designations as a reference for boaters. For a comprehensive list of river classifications, rule language and definitions, visit OSMB/news/LifejacketLaw.shtml. OREGON STATE MARINE BOARD 10 Underway Newsletter

11 the next 50 years of boating in oregon f or decades now the Marine Board has encouraged boaters to get along on the water so their activities aren t restricted by new regulations. But new technologies and methods catch on and existing user groups begin feeling like their traditional use of the waterway is threatened. The popularity of larger motor boats, the decline of small motor boats, the increased use of motors on small coastal streams, the popularity of jet boats, the thrill of wakeboarding, the growing number of paddle sport enthusiasts not all activities are compatible when they occur on the same waterway at the same time. We often hear when the Marine Board doesn t respond in one group s favor, these issues occasionally become political. So how does an agency like the Marine Board manage boating in an age of diverse and competing uses? Do we limit our rulemaking to preventing quantifiable accidents or environmental damage, or do we dive in as arbitrators and negotiate settlements? Do we manage boating for the benefit of the largest group, the group who pays the registration fees, or the group who has the highest perceived political advantage? This year the Oregon State Marine Board will begin a strategic planning process to help us answer these hard questions. The process will be a unique opportunity for broad public input on all these questions and many more. It s your chance to define the agency to best serve the new century of recreational boating in Oregon. Check our website in June for updates and opportunities to participate. In 1959, Oregon s boaters created the Marine Board dedicated to serving their needs for waterway access, law enforcement and safety. We re working for recreational boaters. Now it s on to the second 50 years, and a whole new era of boating in Oregon publications Photo courtesy RBFF Spring

12 This publication is a joint venture of the 13th Coast Guard District and the Oregon State Marine Board. Oregon State Marine Board 435 Commercial Street NE, Suite #400 P.O. Box Salem, OR Contact Us: 13th Coast Guard District 915 Second Ave Seattle, WA Oregon State Marine Board 435 Commercial St NE P.O. Box Salem, OR pre-sorted std postage & fees paid united states coast guard permit no. G-157 US Coast Guard s America s Waterway Watch Program PLEASE RECYCLE