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The Personal Watercraft Industry Association (PWIA) recently testified against a petition to ban PWC from the Salmon River in Lincoln County, Oregon. The Oregon Shores Conservation Coalition claims that PWC should be banned from the final three miles of the Salmon River, before it opens into the Pacific Ocean, because of concerns about boating safety and potential adverse impacts to wildlife.

More than 50 local residents spoke against the ban at a hearing held by the Oregon State Marine Board, while only six favored the petition.  Many boaters and anglers said they were concerned that a ban on one type of boat would open the door for more boat bans in the future. Boaters also said an informal agreement for PWC operators to go at no-wake speed when they pass near fishermen had long ago resolved any user conflicts.

PWIA collaborated against the petition with the American Watercraft Association (AWA). In his testimony at the hearing, PWIA’s Michael Belitzky cited the petitioners' lack  of relative data to justify a ban. For example, the petition used data collected in 1989 in the Florida Everglades, which obviously is not comparable to Oregon's Salmon River.

Belitzky commented “There is no need for a ban.  There has only been one PWC accident in recent memory, and statewide, PWC accidents have dropped significantly. A ban would unjustly target one type of boat and contradict the state’s goal to increase outdoor recreation.

Comments will be accepted until 5:00 pm (PST), Tuesday, September 30, 2014. The Oregon State Marine Board will review the comments and decide whether to open rulemaking at its October 22, 2014 Board Meeting in Astoria.

Click here to review the petition and submit public comments.

Questions? Please contact Michael Belitzky at [email protected].