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News Release

Let Us Paddle Urges All Oregonians To Sign The Petition Now To Repeal Unjust Non-Motorized Watercraft Permit Requirement - 06/10/26

Oregon –With June as the final month to gather signatures, the Let Us Paddle campaign is calling on every Oregonian—farmers, fishers, hunters, small business owners, parents, grandparents, and outdoor enthusiasts across the state—to stand united with the kayaking, canoeing, and stand-up paddleboarding community.

 

The goal is to qualify a ballot measure for November that will restore liberty to Oregon’s waterways by repealing the burdensome, unjustified permit requirement on non-motorized watercraft.

 

“This permit is nothing more than taxation without representation and blatant government overreach,” said Kari Goodheart, Chief Petitioner for Let Us Paddle. “It targets a small group of paddlers knowing full well there aren’t enough kayaks, canoes, and paddleboards in the state to qualify this on our own. We need all Oregonians to step up. This is about more than paddling—it’s about saying ‘no more’ to endless new taxes, fees, and burdensome regulations that chip away at our freedoms.”

 

The permit requirement claims to address the spread of aquatic invasive species, yet there is no credible scientific evidence that kayaks, canoes, and stand-up paddleboards pose a meaningful risk. Instead, it functions as a money grab by the state, placing an unnecessary financial and administrative burden on law-abiding citizens who simply want to enjoy Oregon’s beautiful lakes and rivers.  It targets a group of people that are outdoors enjoying their recreational time in a harmless fashion while paving the way for boaters from out of state to come to Oregon free of charge for their inspections and decontaminations. 

 

Laws should be justified and have scientific backing rather than unfairly targeting groups of people. Without broad support from across the state, this cherished outdoor freedom could be lost forever. Future generations deserve to grow up knowing the liberty of launching a canoe or kayak without first paying the government for permission, Goodheart said.

 

It's time to take action.  Your Signature Makes the Difference~!  This small but important battle represents a larger fight against unchecked government expansion, Oregonian's have had enough.

 

Signatures must be gathered by the end of June to reach the ballot in November. We are receiving signatures by the hundreds, but we need them by the tens of thousands.

 

Upcoming Event:
• Float Protest This Saturday, June 13: 
Float from Barton Park to Carver Park. Departure from Barton Park around 10:30 a.m. (a volunteer will depart a little upstream from Barton Park, but will be by Barton Park around 10:30 a.m.). The expected arrival at Carver Park is around 3:57 p.m. A volunteer will be on site at the end of the float collecting signatures.
Like our Facebook Page @LetUsPaddle to find signing locations and stay in the know.
If you cannot find a signing location near you, please download, print, sign, and mail the single-signature sheet available at www.letuspaddle.com.

 

Every signature counts, and unity across all communities is essential to send a clear message to the Oregon State Legislature: Oregonians will no longer tolerate taxation without justification or the erosion of our constitutional rights.

 

“Together we can restore liberty to our waterways,” added Goodheart. “If we don’t act now, this freedom—and many others—will be gone tomorrow. Stand with Let Us Paddle. Sign today and help protect the Oregon way of life for generations to come. Thank you for your support!”

About Let Us Paddle
Let Us Paddle is a grassroots citizen initiative dedicated to repealing unnecessary permit requirements on non-motorized watercraft, protecting constitutional freedoms, and opposing government overreach in Oregon’s outdoor recreation. For more information, the petition sheet, and event updates, visit www.letuspaddle.com.

Let Us Paddle Urges All Oregonians To Sign The Petition Now To Repeal Unjust Non-Motorized Watercraft Permit Requirement - 06/10/26

Oregon –With June as the final month to gather signatures, the Let Us Paddle campaign is calling on every Oregonian—farmers, fishers, hunters, small business owners, parents, grandparents, and outdoor enthusiasts across the state—to stand united with the kayaking, canoeing, and stand-up paddleboarding community.

 

The goal is to qualify a ballot measure for November that will restore liberty to Oregon’s waterways by repealing the burdensome, unjustified permit requirement on non-motorized watercraft.

 

“This permit is nothing more than taxation without representation and blatant government overreach,” said Kari Goodheart, Chief Petitioner for Let Us Paddle. “It targets a small group of paddlers knowing full well there aren’t enough kayaks, canoes, and paddleboards in the state to qualify this on our own. We need all Oregonians to step up. This is about more than paddling—it’s about saying ‘no more’ to endless new taxes, fees, and burdensome regulations that chip away at our freedoms.”

 

The permit requirement claims to address the spread of aquatic invasive species, yet there is no credible scientific evidence that kayaks, canoes, and stand-up paddleboards pose a meaningful risk. Instead, it functions as a money grab by the state, placing an unnecessary financial and administrative burden on law-abiding citizens who simply want to enjoy Oregon’s beautiful lakes and rivers.  It targets a group of people that are outdoors enjoying their recreational time in a harmless fashion while paving the way for boaters from out of state to come to Oregon free of charge for their inspections and decontaminations. 

 

Laws should be justified and have scientific backing rather than unfairly targeting groups of people. Without broad support from across the state, this cherished outdoor freedom could be lost forever. Future generations deserve to grow up knowing the liberty of launching a canoe or kayak without first paying the government for permission, Goodheart said.

 

It's time to take action.  Your Signature Makes the Difference~!  This small but important battle represents a larger fight against unchecked government expansion, Oregonian's have had enough.

 

Signatures must be gathered by the end of June to reach the ballot in November. We are receiving signatures by the hundreds, but we need them by the tens of thousands.

 

Upcoming Event:
• Float Protest This Saturday, June 13: 
Float from Barton Park to Carver Park. Departure from Barton Park around 10:30 a.m. (a volunteer will depart a little upstream from Barton Park, but will be by Barton Park around 10:30 a.m.). The expected arrival at Carver Park is around 3:57 p.m. A volunteer will be on site at the end of the float collecting signatures.
Like our Facebook Page @LetUsPaddle to find signing locations and stay in the know.
If you cannot find a signing location near you, please download, print, sign, and mail the single-signature sheet available at www.letuspaddle.com.

 

Every signature counts, and unity across all communities is essential to send a clear message to the Oregon State Legislature: Oregonians will no longer tolerate taxation without justification or the erosion of our constitutional rights.

 

“Together we can restore liberty to our waterways,” added Goodheart. “If we don’t act now, this freedom—and many others—will be gone tomorrow. Stand with Let Us Paddle. Sign today and help protect the Oregon way of life for generations to come. Thank you for your support!”

About Let Us Paddle
Let Us Paddle is a grassroots citizen initiative dedicated to repealing unnecessary permit requirements on non-motorized watercraft, protecting constitutional freedoms, and opposing government overreach in Oregon’s outdoor recreation. For more information, the petition sheet, and event updates, visit www.letuspaddle.com.