The Oregon State Marine Board met in Salem on April 18, and approved a new rule for Lake Billy Chinook, corrected a prior meeting’s rule language error, approved Cycle Two boating facility grants and gave agency staff direction for their 2019-2021 budget and legislative fee concept. 

Chair Val Early announced at the beginning of the meeting that Member Cliff Jett (Rufus, OR) was stepping down from the Board.  Jett joined the Board in 2013 and was serving his second term.  Chair Early thanked him for all of his time and experience on the Board, as well as the on-the-ground representation he provided to eastern Oregon’s recreational boaters.  The Board hopes replace his seat with someone with as much wisdom and insights as Member Jett from the eastern Oregon.   

For the first two agenda items, the Board approved a slow-no wake zone within the Fly Creek Inlet on Lake Billy Chinook.  The Board also corrected language for the Foam Encapsulation rule that was mistakenly stricken during the March meeting and will allow for some types of non-treated wood. 

The Board also considered 20 boating facility grant requests.  Over $3.5 million in needs were identified with only $1.8 million available for 2017-2019 funding.  The needs exceed available funding by 3:1.  Grants were scored and ranked based on applicant matching funds, permit status, and the ability to complete a project within the biennium.  Several grant requests were excellent examples of what could be considered in the future under a proposed Waterway Access Program to improve access for paddlers; however, the priority for facility funding goes toward motorized boating access projects.

The following grants were approved:

• Lane County Parks –Secure floating restroom on Siltcoos Lake with piles.  In June 2017, the floating restroom broke free of its moorings.  The Board approved $11,250 in federal Clean Vessel Act funds and $3,750 in state boater funds to match $3,250.60 in applicant match for a total project cost of $18,203.60.
• City of Nyssa –Replace a broken pile to stabilize the dock at Nyssa River Park.  The City is also pursuing replacing the boat ramp and docks.  Because there are limited contractors in the area with the required equipment and capability to install piling, the cost for mobilization is higher than typically observed in more populated areas.  The City is committed to improving the facility for their community and offered a cash contribution to the project.  The Board approved $39,850 in state boater funds to match $8,000 in applicant match for a total project cost of $47,850.00.
• Port of the Dalles –Replace the broken pumpout and port-a-potty dump station at the marina and add a monitoring system.  The nearest pumpout and dump stations are 20 miles upstream from the Port of Hood River and 55 miles downstream from the Port of Arlington on the Columbia River.  The Columbia River is the heaviest used waterbody in the state for recreational boaters.  The Board approved $15,000 in federal Clean Vessel Act funds to match $5,440 in applicant match for a total project cost of $20,400.   
• Port of Coos Bay –Repair three of the existing boarding dock strings and replace rubstrips, wales and hinge connections at the Charleston Marina while replacement docks are being pursued.  The cost to replace the docks is estimated at $400,000 which is approximately a 20 percent increase as a result of the aluminum tariff and market volatility, therefore the Port will complete this project in phases.  Repairing the boarding docks will provide short term stability of the dock structure and will allow the Port to keep the docks operational.  The Board approved $38,801 in state boater funds to match $23,452 in applicant match for a total project cost of $62,253.
• City of Gladstone –Assistance with permitting, design and engineering to dredge the channel for safe ingress and egress for the Meldrum Bar boat ramp.  A bathymetric survey showed the channel is shallowing due to increased shoaling creating a safety concern for boaters.  Dredging requires expertise and a variety of permits.  This will be the first phase of two, toward replacing the over 20-year old boarding docks.  The soonest the dredging work can be done is the fall of 2021.  The Board approved $30,000 in state boater funds to match $16,000 in applicant match for a project total of $46,000. 
• Oregon Youth Conservation Corps –Maintenance assistance and job skills for youth crews in Lane and Clackamas Counties.  These opportunities for youth help save boating facilities money for maintenance, general repairs and site improvements while providing youth with valuable work experience.  The Board approved $27,183 in state boater funds to match $28,138 in applicant cash, materials, equipment and administration for a total project cost of $55,321.
• City of Coquille –Replace existing boarding docks and short term tie-up docks at Sturdivant Park.  In 2015, the docks were damaged during a storm event which washed away the gangway and broke out an old creosote wood piling, making the dock unsafe.  The City has been diligently working to secure funding for the massive repairs needed.  The grant will help pay for replacing the existing boarding and short term tie-up docks with new aluminum docks and steel piles.  The City is also pursuing a grant through the Sport Fish Restoration Fund administered by ODFW to create a designated a section of the dock for fishing in an effort to reduce user conflict.  The Board approved $72,247.80 in state boater funds to match $458,752.20 in applicant match for a project total of $531,000.
• Metro Parks – Fill the parking lot cracks with slurry seal, seal coat and add new striping for the parking lot at Chinook Landing.  These improvements will add to the useful life of the parking lot.  The Board approved $87,659.50 in state boater funds to match $29,519.50 in applicant match for a project total of $117,179.00.    
• Douglas County Parks –Repair and overlay existing asphalt, install asphalt over gravel areas and install curbing and stripe the parking area at Amacher Park.  These improvements will help delineate traffic flow and better identify boat trailer and single car parking spaces to reduce user frustration caused by traffic flow.  The Board approved $80,000 in state boater funds to match $26,680 in applicant match for a project total of $106,680.
• US Forest Service –Replace the boat ramp at Mason Dam to improve safety for boaters.  This project will be completed in phases due to water levels and the construction window for permitting.  The Marine Board has been in discussions with the Forest Service about improvements since 1997.  This site was identified by ODFW as a high priority for Sport Fish Restoration funding which reduces the amount of funds requested from the Marine Board.  The Board approved $92,500 in state boater funds to match $233,744 in applicant match for a project total of $326,244. 
• City of Portland Parks and Recreation –Assistance with permitting to replace the boat ramp, boarding dock and pilings at the Swan Island boat ramp.  This project will be completed in phases: phase one, prepare and submit environmental permit applications to replace the boat ramp, docks and pilings; phase two, construction of the permitted items; and, phase three, future improvements to parking and sanitation..  There’s complexity to the project since the facility is in a Superfund site with a proposed sediment cap in some areas of the lagoon.  Staff recommended the City obtain a consultant to assist with the permitting phases and will assist the City and consultant with coordination of the in-water structure design and permit application process.  The Board approved $86,054.50 in state boater funds to match $200,794 in applicant match for a project total of $286,848.50.
• South Wasco Parks and Recreation District –Replace the upper 75 feet of concrete for the South Pine Hollow boat ramp.  The Parks and Recreation District plan to replace both the north and south boat ramps in the future.  Replacing the upper portion of the south boat ramp will allow for safer access while the District secures funding for future site improvements.  The Board approved $34,900 in state boater funds to match $21,500 in applicant match for a project total of $56,400.           

During the remainder of the meeting, the Board discussed the agency’s budget and provided staff direction on a legislative concept for a voluntary cuts to agency programs in conjunction with a fee increase at a level that will have the least impact to motorized boat owners. 

For more details about the grant applications and meeting materials, visit http://www.oregon.gov/OSMB/info/Pages/Board-and-Public-Meetings.aspx.

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