Public Comments Seem To Overwhelmingly Support A Proposed Ban

Abut a month ago, the Oregon State Marine Board opened public comments on a proposed ban on motorboats and seaplanes on Waldo Lake in Lane County.

In a news release announcing the proposed change last month, the Marine Board said that "The public is invited to provide written comment beginning March 1 through the end of a public hearing scheduled for April 10, where the Board will have the opportunity to listen to public comment. At the meeting’s conclusion, the Board may make a motion regarding the rules. The Board may re-adopt the rules, repeal the rules, or amend the rules with new language. The existing rules implement the Oregon Scenic Waterway Act by prohibiting internal combustion motorboats and floatplanes on Waldo Lake, a statutorily designated state scenic waterway, in order to preserve the natural setting of Waldo Lake, minimize disturbance of its natural beauty, protect its aesthetic values, and provide an unimpaired quality of recreational experience. An exception is provided in the rules for official governmental use and emergency landings of floatplanes."

The Bend Bulletin reports that the Board has received nearly 3,000 comments in the short time they have been accepted, and only one percent of those are in favor of modifying the ban to allow seaplanes to operate on the lake. Hikers and kayakers say the noise of the engines disturbs the natural quiet of the area.

2008 National CFI of the Year and ANN contributor Max Trescot writes in his blog that a federal court ruled in 2009 that the ban was "arbitrary, capricious, and an abuse of discretion." Trescot says there appears to be an organized campaign against seaplanes at the lake.

If you would like to weigh in, you can send a letter or email to the Oregon State Marine Board and oppose the provision of OAR 250-020-0221 and OAR 250-030-0030 that bans floatplanes from Waldo Lake. (ANN staff photo seaplanes at Oshkosh)

FMI: www.boatoregon.com/OSMB/index.shtml