Marine Board Approves Boating Access Grants, Rules, Expands Free Paddling Days - 10/30/26

The Oregon State Marine Board approved Cycle Three Boating Facility Grant requests for Fords Pond Community Park and TouVelle State Park, and approved rule updates for personal flotation devices and outfitter guide reciprocity with Idaho. Additionally, the Board approved 2027 Waterway Access Permit exemption days for paddlers beyond the ODFW Free Fishing Days.

Cycle Three Grant Considerations  
         

City of Sutherlin, Fords Pond Community Park: The City obtained all required permits and is ready to initiate the first phase for boating access development by purchasing two boarding docks and an accessible non-motorized launch dock. The Board approved $125,000 in Boating Facility Grant funding combined with $10,000 applicant match for a total project cost of $135,000.

Oregon Parks and Recreation, TouVelle State Park: The Board approved funding for a hydraulic study to identify if there is a more stable location for a boat ramp on the Rogue River. The hydraulic survey, analysis, and modeling have been needed for several years. This will inform future decisions for State Parks and the Marine Board. The Board approved $49,997 in Boating Facility Grant funding to match $17,000.00 applicant match for a total project cost of $66,997.00.

Other Board Decisions

Personal Flotation Devices Rulemaking: The Board approved updating rule language for personal flotation devices to align with the federal U.S. Coast Guard’s newer label ratings for performance and activity. This rule does not change existing carriage or wear requirements for recreational boaters.

Snake River Reciprocity for Outfitter and Guides Rulemaking: The Board approved a new rule applying to Idaho outfitters and guides who pick up clients in Oregon and operate on the Snake River boundary waters. Idaho Outfitters and Guides must meet Oregon's business licensing, permitting, and registration requirements. This rule also clarifies what currently exists in statute. This rule goes into effect on November 2, 2026.

Free Paddling Days: The Board also approved seven additional days when Waterway Access Permits are not required. The Free Paddling Days were selected based on more ideal weather and water conditions, congestion and capacity at boating access sites, and activities that align well with paddling.

The following dates will be added for 2027 in addition to ODFW Free Fishing Days:

• New Year's Day 2027
• April 22 (Earth Day)
• May 24 (“Wear Your Life Jacket at Work” Day and kicks off National Safe Boating Week)
• June 5-6 (Free Day-Use Parking at State Parks and ODFW Free Fishing Days)
• September 12 (National Grandparents Day) and
• October 2 (Wild and Scenic Rivers Act Day) 

Staff will report back to the Board at its October 2027 meeting with recommendations for Free Paddling Days in 2028.

To view the meeting materials and replay link, visit the Marine Board’s Public Meetings page.
 

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Marine Board To Temporarily Close Molalla River To Boating From Goods Bridge To Canby Community Park - 10/29/26

The Oregon State Marine Board submitted a temporary closure notice to the Secretary of State’s Office on October 27, 2026, for the Molalla River from Goods Bridge to Canby Community Park. The temporary closure under OAR 250-020-0259 is in effect from November 2 through November 13, 2026.

Restoration work is underway to return the river channel to its historic condition. An avulsion (sudden and rapid cutting off or removal of land by flood or currents) changed the river's course during a winter flood event in December of 2025. The presence of heavy equipment and changing river flows creates unsafe conditions for recreational boaters. The work is being coordinated by the Oregon Department of Geology and Mineral Industries (DOGAMI).

During this time of year, water levels are low, and boating is typically limited to a small number of non-motorized boats such as kayaks, rafts, and drift boats.

The Marine Board posts the temporary closure notice on its New Rules and Notices page.

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Marine Board Urges “Check Email” For Motorboat Registration Renewal Notices (Photo) - 10/27/26

The Oregon State Marine Board will email motorboat registration renewal notices to boaters who have an email on file and whose registration expires on December 31, 2026. Each notice is specific to the owner and their boat.

Boat owners are encouraged to renew online, and the email includes clear steps for using the Boat Oregon Store. If a boater doesn’t have an email on file, a renewal notice will be mailed and should arrive by mid-November.

Motorboat Owners

The fastest method to renew your boat registration is online, through the Marine Board’s Boat Oregon Store. When you renew online, you can print a temporary permit after successful payment. Just have the temporary permit on board with you and present it to marine law enforcement when asked. You can also renew more than one motorboat at a time or buy Waterway Access Permits in the same transaction for a $1.50 portal fee. Just review the store help page ahead of time to learn how.

Motorboat registration decals are mailed within two to five business days if renewing online. If you mail your payment to the Marine Board, it takes about seven to 10 business days for processing. After that, expect another two to four weeks for your decals to arrive by mail. These timelines may vary because printing and mailing are handled outside the agency.

Any watercraft with a motor or sailboats 12 feet and longer are required to be titled and registered with the Marine Board. Early bird online sales begin November 2 for decals expiring December 31, 2026. Motorboat registration fees are $5.95 per foot plus $8 surcharge (for aquatic invasive species prevention efforts) issued on a 2-year calendar basis for 2026. Renewing in the fall or early winter months is recommended to avoid long delays during the peak summer season.

Paddlers (Human Powered Boats)

Non-motorized boaters of kayaks, canoes, rafts, drift, stand up paddleboards, and their inflatable versions can also purchase waterway access permits through the Boat Oregon Store.

A 7-day permit costs $6, an annual permit is $20, and a two-year permit is $35. Annual and two-year permits are also valid for one or two calendar years. Paddlers are encouraged to purchase permits early in the year to get the most use out of them and to explore the bounty of waterways in the state. Because permits can be saved or printed immediately, they make great “stocking stuffers” for the holidays, especially if you plan on gifting someone a boat. Permits are transferable to other paddlecraft, and children under 14 are exempt. 

Visit the Boat Oregon Store help page with videos and written instructions on how to navigate the store to renew your motorboat registrations or purchase Waterway Access Permits.

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Marine Board Meeting In Bandon October 28, 29 - 10/22/26

The Oregon State Marine Board will hold its quarterly board meeting beginning at 8:30 am on October 29 at the Bandon Public Library in the Sprague Room, located at 1204 11^th St. SW. On October 28, the Board will hold a Work Session at 1 pm at the Bandon Community Center, 1200 11^th St. SW. The Marine Board will discuss advancing boating technology during the work session.

Local recreational boaters are encouraged to attend the Work Session on the 28^th and the Board meeting on the 29^th; however, public comment will only be accepted at the beginning of the Board meeting and not the work session.

The following items are on the agenda:

• Director’s Report
• Free Waterway Access Days; informational
• NGO Outreach Programs and Grant Funding Update; informational
• Mini-Jet Boat Update; informational
• Wind Sport Regulations; informational
• Life Jacket Rulemaking; Board Vote
• Snake River Reciprocity for Outfitter Guides Rulemaking; Board vote

Public comments will be accepted in writing or during the meeting’s public comment period before the agenda items. To provide oral testimony, register by 5 p.m. on October 27, with Jennifer Cooper at [email protected] or by mail: Oregon State Marine Board, Attn: Jennifer Cooper, 435 Commercial St. NE, Suite 400, Salem, OR 97301.

Meeting materials and live stream link are available on the agency’s Public Meetings page.

Marine Board meetings use the Microsoft Teams application, and viewing may require installing the free Teams app.

Visit Boat.Oregon.gov to learn more about the Marine Board, Oregon’s recreational boating agency.

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Are You A Recreational Boater? Marine Board Invites You To Town Hall Meetings In K-Falls, Medford, Bandon - 10/20/26

The Oregon State Marine Board invites recreational boaters and others interested in the agency’s work to a Town Hall meeting. These informal meetings are a chance for agency staff to meet with local recreational boaters and to learn about area needs. It’s also a chance to gather feedback on the agency’s proposed budget and legislative concepts for the 2027-2029 legislative session. The meetings are family-friendly and casual. 

The goal is to build stronger connections with local boaters, share what the agency does, and explain how boating dollars are used in communities. Staff looks forward to answering questions about boating safety, agency rules, grant funding, boating access, titling and registration, outfitter guides, and any environmental concerns.

The Town Hall meeting times are from 4 pm to 7 pm and are scheduled in an open format, so people can come and go as their schedules allow.

Visit Boat.Oregon.gov to learn more about the Marine Board, Oregon’s recreational boating agency.

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Marine Board Hosting Town Hall Meetings In Umatilla, Ontario, Prineville - 10/09/26

The Oregon State Marine Board invites recreational boaters and others interested in the agency’s work to a Town Hall meeting. These informal meetings are a chance for agency staff to meet with local recreational boaters and to learn about area needs. It’s also a chance to gather feedback on the agency’s proposed budget and legislative concepts for the 2027-2029 legislative session.

The goal is to build stronger connections with local boaters, share what the agency does, and explain how boating dollars are used in communities. Staff looks forward to answering questions about boating safety, agency rules, grant funding, boating access, titling and registration, outfitter guides, and any environmental concerns.

The Town Hall meeting times are from 4 pm to 7 pm and are scheduled in an open format, so people can come and go as their schedules allow.

Visit Boat.Oregon.gov to learn more about the Marine Board, Oregon’s recreational boating agency.

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