URGENT: Public Hearing on No Wake Zone for Holgate Channel and Ross Island Lagoon, Monday, July 27th 6 pm, Portland Building 1120 SW 5th Avenue, 2nd Floor Auditorium
From Mike Houck, Director, Urban Greenspaces Institute:
Thank you for you support to date for creating a No-wake Zone in the Holgate Channel and Ross Island Lagoon. Several hundred people have written letters in support of this effort, and more than 200 people showed up to support this effort at a hearing back in May. We have sent a strong message to the Oregon Marine Board that there needs to be one location along the entire Lower Willamette River that is set aside to protect wildlife and provide a safe place of canoeists and kayakers to enjoy nature.
THE MARINE BOARD WILL BE MAKING A FINAL DECISION ON THE NO-Wake ZONE PETITION ON MONDAY, JULY 27TH.
IT IS ESSENTIAL THAT WE HAVE A STRONG TURNOUT AT THIS HEARING AND THERE WILL BE OPPORTUNITIES FOR PUBLIC TESTIMONY.
The Marine Board will take testimony. They will be counting heads. It’s critical that there be a big turn out for this hearing. Please come and bring others who support a No Wake Zone for the Holgate Channel and Ross Island Lagoon.
The Marine Board has made the following recommendation to the Board: Establish a “no wake zone” in the Ross Island Lagoon and in the Holgate Channel from the Northern tip of Lagoon southward. The northern stretch of the Holgate Channel to the northern tip of Ross Island would be open to all speed traffic. The Staff did not include an exception for launches accompanying rowing shells.
KEY POINTS TO MAKE:
1) Thank the Marine Board staff for their recommendation—keep it positive—let them know that you appreciate their recognition of the boater safety issues at Ross Island.
2) We still believe that the entire Holgate Channel should be made into a “no wake zone.” If they are not going to implement a no wake zone at the north end of the Holgate Channel, we recommend a two years of study period to determine whether further action is needed.
3) Tell the Marine Board that launches accompanying shells should be exempted from the no wake zone rule. These launches are safety vehicles. They either go at the proposed 5 mile limit or a couple of miles above. They do not pose the same hazards as other motorized traffic on the river because they are acutely aware and in fact directly connect with non motorized crafts. It makes complete sense and is consistent with the objectives of the No Wake Zone proposal to exempt launches directly associated with shells.
DATE: Monday, July 27th
TIME: 6-9 pm
LOCATION: The auditorium, 2nd floor, Portland Building, 1120 SW Fifth Ave, in Portland