OR State Marine Board release - The Oregon State Marine Board held its quarterly meeting on April 23 at the Port of Tillamook and approved proposed rules for the Siletz River and denied a petition for a change in boat operations in the pass-through zone of McGuire Island on the Columbia River. The Board also approved a variety of boating facility grants under its Cycle Two funding opportunity.  Siletz River Petition to Prohibit Motorboats Upstream of Jack Morgan Park - After reviewing public testimony, written comments, and a summary from the Siletz River Rulemaking Advisory Committee (RAC), Board members considered options within its authority while also acknowledging the vast perspectives from property owners, anglers, guides, members of the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians, and the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife.  The Board approved a proposed rule that allows small motors between Jack Morgan Park and Old Mill Park, with motors prohibited upstream of Old Mill Park. The Board also directed staff to hold two public hearings and a work session prior to its July meeting.  Next steps in the rulemaking process include filing the proposed rule language with the Secretary of State. A public comment period will open from May 1 to June 15, and the agency will solicit written comments on the rule language. Hearings will then be scheduled in May and June, along with a work session prior to July’s quarterly Board meeting. The Board will then have its next opportunity to approve, modify, or deny final rules.  McGuire Island Pass Through Zone Petition - A petition was received in February to replace the existing pass-through zone in the channel between McGuire Island and the mainland on the Columbia River with a slow no-wake zone. This area would extend from the south channel adjacent to McGuire Island, between the east end of Big Eddy Marina, and to the west end of McGuire Point Marina. The desired outcome from the petitioners included wake protection for floating homes and moorages, boating safety for all users, and increased serenity to the floating home and moorage community and wildlife.  The Board denied the petition and directed staff to work with METRO, the facility owner of the nearby Chinook Landing Marine Park and M. James Gleason Memorial Boat Ramp access sites, on signage to better educate boaters on the boat operations that are currently allowed in the pass-through zone. The Board also directed staff to work with local marine law enforcement and the agency’s Boating Safety Advocates to engage with floating homeowners and boaters using both access sites.  Boating Facility Cycle Two Grant Applications Approved - The Boating Facilities Program received 20 Cycle Two grant applications, highlighting $5.8 million in boating needs and requesting $3.3 million of the agency’s 2025-2027 facilities funding. The requests for Waterway Access Permit grant funds exceeded by over three times the available non-motorized waterway access funds. The motorized applications received for the Boating Facility Grant also exceeded available funds by nearly $300,000.  The following boating facility grant applications were approved:  Washington County Parks: Eagle Landing non-motorized boating access improvements. The project includes a floating kayak launch, debris boom, a gangway that reduces slope, and an accessible route for recreational boating access that everyone can enjoy. The Board approved $375,000 in Waterway Access Grant funding, combined with $900,000 in applicant match, for a project total of $1,275,000. The project, developed over 10 years, is the second upgraded non-motorized access site on the Tualatin River.  City of Coos Bay: Empire boat ramp. The grant will replace the deflection booms and piling supporting the boarding docks. Upgrading the debris boom will reduce wave impact on the docks and boat ramp, improving boat launching and retrieving. The Board approved $595,192.86 in Boating Facility Grant funds, combined with $141,889.51 in applicant match, for a project total of $737,082.37.  Bureau of Land Management: Replace and expand the composting toilets at Whiskey Dick Boat-In Campground along the Lower Deschutes River. Newer models have a longer use life with fewer components to potentially break. The Board approved $117,384.61 in Waterway Access Grant funding to match $29,346.15 in applicant match for a project total of $146,730.76.  Lane County Parks: The grant will replace the boarding docks at Orchard Point Marina on Fern Ridge Reservoir. The Board approved $150,000 in Boating Facility Grant funding, combined with $182,985 in applicant match, for a project total of $332,985.  Bureau of Land Management: This grant funds the replacement of recreational boating safety, regulatory, and education signs along the John Day River main stem and North Fork. This is Phase 1 of sign kiosk replacements on the John Day River. The Board approved $36,010 in Boating Facility Grant funding, combined with $43,787.95 in applicant match, for a project total of $79,797.95.  City of Gold Hill: This grant will fund archaeological reports for Gold Hill Sports Park on the Rogue River. This information will inform decisions for future boating access improvements. The Board approved $15,580 in Boating Facility Grant funding and $5,770 in Waterway Access Grant funding, combined with $5,675 in applicant match, for a project total of $27,025.  Wallowa County: This grant will fund replacing the 25-year-old boarding and ski docks at Wallowa Lake County Park. The Board approved $450,000, combined with $100,000 in applicant match, for a project total of $550,000.  The Board also approved the following requests for additional funding due to rising costs for materials:  Douglas County: The county is in the process of its project improvement work at Cooper Creek East and West to replace the boarding docks and upgrade the parking. Inspection of the West access parking area revealed issues that need extra funding. The Board approved a cost increase of $400,000 in Boating Facility Grant funds to match $200,000 in applicant match for a total cost increase of $600,000.  Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife: Coyote Creek non-motorized Launch, parking, and vault toilet. The additional cost is due to unforeseen circumstances, including the need to install a sheet pile wall to support the abutment and gangway connections due to soil conditions, a modified stormwater treatment system, and increased material costs. The Board approved the cost increase of $140,000 in Waterway Access Grant funds to match $151,000 in applicant match from OPRD’s Recreational Trails Program for a total cost increase of $291,000.  Clean Vessel Act grant funding - Columbia Crossings, LLC: This grant will fund the replacement of six marine sewage pumpout stations for Jantzen Bay, Tomahawk Bay, and Hayden Bay marinas, which are over 20 years old and managed by Columbia Crossings, LLC. These Marine Board-certified Clean Marinas have been maintaining the pumpout stations well past their expected useful life of 8-10 years. The Board approved $131,463 in federal Clean Vessel Act funds and $43,821 in state Boating Facility Grant funds, combined with $10,254 in administration, equipment, and applicant cash for a project total of $185,538.  A block of grant requests was deferred for future funding opportunities due to a variety of reasons, including timelines, permitting, and funding challenges.