NEWS RELEASE – for immediate release
Media Contact:
Ken Armstrong, Communications Manager, 503-881-2623, ken.armstrong@state.or.us
July 17, 2019
SALEM, Ore. – In response to the State Land Board’s direction last month to initiate a rulemaking imposing permanent use restrictions at certain beaches in the Portland area, the Oregon Department of State Lands on July 1 implemented temporary restrictions, which include placing signs on the subject properties advising the public about the restrictions.
On June 11, the State Land Board directed the Oregon Department of State Lands to pursue permanent use restrictions on the easterly banks of the Willamette River at Swan Island within the city of Portland.
The action comes as a result of a request from the Port of Portland and Daimler Trucks North America (a tenant of the port) that DSL enact restrictions on public use due to illegal and nuisance activity. The port is an upland owner adjacent to state property, which extends to Ordinary High Water. The department and the port have documented illegal and nuisance activities on state-owned lands, and which include:
Temporary restrictions prohibit all activity between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m. and prohibit campsites and campfires at all times on the east bank of the Willamette River between river miles 9 and 10 in Multnomah County.
In the meantime, DSL will begin the process of initiating permanent restrictions by convening a Rulemaking Advisory Committee to review and provide input on the proposed rules. A public comment period will be part of that process. More information on the rulemaking process will be available at: https://www.oregon.gov/dsl/Laws/Pages/Rulemaking.aspx
###