Hello friends!
We need everyone to submit oral (on June 1, at 1pm) or written testimony against SB 857, please take 10 minutes to just make your voice heard, there is power in numbers and the more voices opposing this bill the better! This is something we can all do to show our opposition to this bill. Unnecessary legislation (SB 857) that will kick hundreds of families off the Upper Willamette River has been scheduled for a public hearing on Tuesday, June 1 at 1 PM PST in the Senate Rules Committee. Even though we already beat this bill in the House, proponents have revived it in the Senate.
Boaters must attend the virtual hearing on June 1 to show our senators that the majority of the community does not support SB 857. If you are unable to participate, please upload testimony by 1 PM PST on June 1. See below for instructions. We need your continued support to stop this legislation in its tracks. Please also continue to share this petition and gather support to stop it!
HOW TO SIGN UP FOR THE VIRTUAL HEARING
All boaters and towed water sports enthusiasts in the state of Oregon are invited to sign up to testify in the Senate Rules Committee AGAINST SB 857 at 1PM on June 1. SB 857 would prohibit boats over 4,000 pounds from obtaining a Towed Water Sports Endorsement, which allows hundreds of families to safely enjoy water sports in the Upper Willamette, also known as the Newberg Pool.
Register online at: https://survey.sjc1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_d5WBUS5oU2PTmqG
Choose ‘I want to speak’ ‘AGAINST’ for your position on the bill. You will see a confirmation screen and receive an email with information on how to join the meeting. If you do not receive a confirmation, contact the committee assistant. Registration in advance is required to testify.
HOW TO TESTIFY AT THE VIRTUAL HEARING
Use the MS Teams meeting link or phone number to join the committee or subcommittee meeting at least 5 minutes before the meeting start time.
Wait for the Chair to call on you to speak.
Follow any instructions from the Chair for your testimony. This may include a time limit; in some cases, the Chair will use a chime to indicate when you need to finish.
Testimony can be as simple as a 1-2-minute statement on why you oppose this legislation. Sample talking points are included below.
Be respectful, courteous and professional.
Additional information about how to testify is available here: https://www.oregonlegislature.gov/citizen_engagement/Pages/How-to-Testify.aspx
WHY OPPOSE SB 857 - TALKING POINTS
This bill is identical to HB 2725, introduced by Representative Witt. The House already extensively debated this bill and did not move forward. Oregon needs our senators focused on COVID, economic recovery and getting our kids back in school.
This would strip safe, socially distant, equitable, outdoor opportunities for hundreds of families along the Willamette and impact local small businesses.
This bill is not based on science. There is no empirical evidence that directly links perceived erosion on the riverbanks or dock damage to wake boats. Real studies should be conducted first to determine the best ways to keep the river safe and healthy.
The Newberg Pool is already one of the most regulated bodies of water in Oregon, and wake surfing is only allowed in two small zones with no adjacent homes.
This not only exacerbates safety issues, but it also fails to solve a primary issue — enforcement. The state has already struggled to enforce the laws and rules we have, and the bills do not address how to deal with the worst offenders who make the river dangerous for everybody.
HOW TO SUBMIT WRITTEN TESTIMONY
If you cannot attend the hearing, please submit written testimony by June 2 at 1PM PST. You can also attend the hearing and submit written testimony. Here’s how to submit written testimony:
Go to: https://olis.oregonlegislature.gov/liz/2021R1/Testimony/SRULES
On the testimony submission form, choose meeting date “6/1/2021 1:00 PM” from the drop-down menu
Select “SB 857” from the bill list
Fill in the name, email address and city of residence fields
Choose ‘oppose’ for position on this bill
Choose “text testimony”
Tell the Oregon Legislature why you oppose this bill. A few sentences are fine. Include how this bill will impact your family or business.
SAMPLE WRITTEN TESTIMONY
I am submitting testimony to oppose SB 857. This legislation is born out of special interest agendas and is not representative of the community at large.
[insert your personal boating story and how these bills will impact your family or business]
Our waterway policies should be grounded in solid research and favor the general public, not select waterfront homeowners and paddlers looking to eliminate motorized boating for their own personal gain. Real studies should be conducted to determine the best ways to keep the river safe and healthy. Furthermore, the Newberg Pool is already one of the most regulated bodies of water in Oregon, and wake surfing is only allowed in two small zones with no adjacent homes.
This bill will make our waterways less safe and negatively impact Oregon families and small businesses. The House already extensively debated this bill and did not move forward. I respectfully urge you to do the same. Oregon needs our senators focused on COVID, economic recovery and getting our kids back in school. Please do not waste time on this unnecessary legislation. Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely,
[Your name]
THE BILL:
SB 857: Limits boats authorized for towed watersports in the Newberg Pool, a 20-mile stretch of the Willamette River from Oregon City to Newberg to less than 4,000 pounds.
Note: SB 857 is a duplicate of HB 2725 and HB 2555, which did not move forward this session.
More information at www.oregonfamiliesforboating.org