Holgate Channel No Wake Zone

What: The Audubon Society of Portland, Urban Greenspaces Institute and Willamette Riverkeeper plan to petition the Oregon State Marine Board to establish a “no wake zone” on the Holgate Channel. The channel flows between Hardtack, East and Ross Island and Oaks Bottom Wildlife Refuge. The groups will also petition for a non-motorized zone within the Ross Island Lagoon.

When: We plan to submit the draft petition to the Marine Board in February, 2009 so your input and assistance is need now. The Marine Board will review our petition and get back to us with questions or requests for revision and the final will be submitted by April 2009. They will hold hearings and make a decision in September, 2009.

Why: Holgate Channel, the Ross Island complex and Oaks Bottom Wildlife Refuge are significant regional fish and wildlife habitats and one of the most scenic reaches of the lower Willamette River. Boat wakes are causing significant erosion on the banks at Oaks Bottom Wildlife Refuge, Ross, Hardtack and East islands. Fast moving boat traffic disturbs wildlife. Kayakers and canoeists have for years wanted one small stretch of the Willamette where they can enjoy a quiet paddle without the noise and wakes associated with high-speed motorized river traffic. Also, a no wake zone will give pedestrians and bicyclists along the Springwater on the Willamette Trail an area to enjoy the river without hearing boat motors. Non-motorized use within the lagoon will help protect the substantial investment being made to restore the lagoon for fish and wildlife habitat.

Where: The no wake zone would extend from the upstream tip of Hardtack and East Islands near the Oregon Yacht Club to the downstream tip of Ross Island. The non-motorized boating area will be within the Ross Island Lagoon.

What Is A No Wake Zone? It simply controls the speed of motorized craft so that the boat does not create a wake. The No Wake Zone would apply only to the Holgate Channel, a small fraction of the lower Willamette River. A No Wake Zone on Holgate Channel would provide both higher speed motorized craft and human powered craft with equitable access to the river by setting aside two zones on the Willamette within the same reach, one on the west side of Ross Island for higher speed activities and a quiet zone on the east side of the islands for paddlers and slower speed motorized craft. A No Wake Zone would not apply to commercial craft. A No Wake Zone does not prohibit motorized craft.

What is a Non-motorized Zone? It is an area where only human powered craft will be allowed. Again, the non-motorized zone would not apply to commercial craft.

How Is A No Wake Zone Established? The Oregon State Marine Board has a process whereby local governments or citizens can apply to establish a no wake zone (http://www.osmb.state.or.us/OSMB/BoatLaws/
Regulations.shtml). Citizens can petition the Marine Board to establish a no wake zone by:

1. Complying with the state’s rules governing petitions for rulemaking;
2. Give a statement of the problem, conflicts or damage; and
3. Provide at least 10 petitioners.

What Can You Do To Become Involved? Contact:

• Bob Sallinger, Audubon Society of Portland
  971-222-6122
  bsallinger@audubonportland.org
• Mike Houck, Urban Greenspaces Institute
  503-319-7155
  mikehouck@urbangreenspaces.org
• Travis Williams, Willamette Riverkeeper
  503-223-6418
  travis@willamette-riverkeeper.org

…and ask to be kept informed about the Holgate Channel No Wake Zone. You can write a letter of support or become a joint petitioner. We will provide you with a template letter and instructions on how to become a petitioner on request.

Become a Friend of Ross Island:
Go to http://www.audubonportland.org/issues/metro/ross-island/friends and sign up to become a Friend of Ross Island.

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