NEWSLETTER JULY 2009 - LET'S KEEP THE BALL ROLLING

I hope everyone has heard the "good" news that the Oregon State Marine Board rejected the proposed restriction of the use of Ross Island Lagoon and the Holgate Channel. In a special hearing, the OSMB allowed a few speakers to provide additional comments on the subject. The Boaters' Rights Coalition of Oregon was represented as well as several of our members spoke. It was this testimony in the comments of the OSMB that helped sway the vote (3 to 2) in our favor.

The BRC of Oregon's efforts and organization allowed us to be an influential group in the thinking of the OSMB, and the only way we can insure our voices are heard is to continue to grow and have a LARGE, ACTIVE MEMBERSHIP. I guarantee the more registered voters and registered boaters we have as members, the louder we will speak.

Now, don't get the idea that this issue or the Upper Willamette River issues are dead. In the testimony of the OSMB it was clear that they hope that a task force will be put together to determine a future plan of action for the Lower Willamette River. The OSMB also referred several times to the Upper Willamette River "experiment" as a wait and see what happens thing. If you're interested in being part of the "task" force for determining a long range plan for the river, please let us know and we will pass your name along.

So please, if you haven't already done so, tell you're boating buddies that we need all the support we can get. We need everyone that enjoys using their own boats or going on someone else's to join the "Coalition". And, even if you've signed up yourself, make sure your spouse, boyfriend, girlfriend and your relatives over 18 register too. Just give them the website www.saveboatersrights.com, and tell them to take a look. Politics is a numbers game in many cases and logic and truth don't always win out. Let's make a push to grow our numbers, so our concerns can't be ignored.

We still have an opportunity to battle the prior rulemaking for the Upper Willamette River, but the time to do it is NOW. We can't wait until the rules actually go into effect in 2010, and we all start getting tickets before we kick into action. By then it will be too late. To get things started, we need to get our attorney hired. We need everyone's help by making a donation. It doesn't have to be anything big. Just take that $25 you'd give someone for gas and donate to the cause. Every little bit will help.

On a final note, I hope everyone had a great time at the PDXWake event a few weekends ago. If you were unable to attend, there were probably in excess of 300 people that came out to Ross Island Lagoon to enjoy the use of our waters (those same waters we're intending to protect from unnecessary regulation). From the comments I've heard from those in attendance, there was a good time to be had by all, even the local law enforcement was there to observe and support the event. The Boaters' Rights Coalition of Oregon would like to thank PDXWake for allowing us to be there and spread "the word". We'd also like to thank all of the local sponsors and vendors that came out to show off their stuff, raffle off some prizes, and give their support. And, finally, a special thanks to Aaron Jarvis, one of your BRC of Oregon board members, for getting the Hot Dog tent and membership drive put together. Remember, these types of events might not be possible in the future (anywhere) if the special interest group continue to petition the Oregon State Marine Board to restrict our access. Let's all get involved in the management of our waters so that won't happen.

Thanks to all of YOU for your support so far, but we need to keep the wheels rolling if we're going to make a difference. Please don't forget to make a donation to the cause.

Boaters' Rights Coalition of Oregon