Oregon Marine board intends to reclassify small jet boats(under 16ft) as personal watercraft, effectively banning them from all rivers in Oregon, due to the reckless actions of five individuals. OAR 250-021-0010 "All rivers of this state including any tributary streams or rivers entering the Willamette River are closed to the operation of personal watercraft" (The Columbia, parts of the Willamette, and a few small river sections have allowed sections for PWC. Less than 1% of previously allowed area)

There are 110 thousand miles of river that will be closed to small jet boats if this proposal is passed. Small jet boats have a long history of river running in Oregon and especially the Rogue River. To completely cut off this history is an egregious mistake.

Please join me in petitioning the Marine board to reconsider their position and not classify small jet boats as PWC.

How you can help:
Send an email osmb.rulemaking@boat.oregon.gov
U.S. mail to: Jennifer Cooper, Administrative Rules Coordinator, Oregon State Marine Board, 435 Commercial Street NE, Salem, OR 97301

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The whole community needs to learn how to share the river and the natural resources of Oregon. Everyone should have the ability to enjoy our beautiful Rivers. Cutting off the entire state to small power boats over a few reckless individuals is unacceptable. Please deny the petition to reclassify small boats as PWC.

Oregon marine boards purpose statement:
“OSMB is dedicated to making the state's waterways safe and enjoyable for all boaters and it's our mission to: Serve Oregon's recreational boating public through education, enforcement, access and environmental stewardship for a safe and enjoyable experience.”

This ban directly contradicts the marine board's mission statement. Enforcement of current regulations is a viable path forward. These reckless individuals shown in the marine board's emails and presentation should be regulated for ORS 830.315 reckless boating.

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Why does the Oregon State Marine Board want to regulate small boats?

The marine board staff believes that small powerboats have the potential to cause conflict between river users.  The potential for an activity is not a reason to pass more regulations. 

Randy Henry of the OSMB states "I think these little boats have the capability to create a lot of complaints for all of us"  He also writes, "these really have the opportunity to inflame tensions between private landowners and boaters."

Activities discussed are currently regulated through ORS 830.315 reckless boating. More rule making is not necessary to curb this sort of reckless activity.