Protect the Rogue River by limiting jet boat horsepower

Did you know that there are 157 miles of Rogue River from Lost Creek Lake to Gold Beach? Of those 157 miles, ONLY 30 are not being run by jet boats.

Those 30 miles comprise that part of the federally protected Wild and Scenic section from Graves Creek to above Devil’s Staircase, a few miles of unrunnable water above Gold Hill, and the “Holy Water” just below the dam.

Private jet boats are now being regularly observed on the reach from the Hatchery at Lost Creek to TouVelle park and below. There is a commercial jet boat that operates on a 10-mile stretch from the Table Rock Road bridge up to the Rattlesnake Rapids (a distance of five miles) and then down about five miles below TouVelle park to the mouth of Bear Creek.

Private and commercial jet boats run from Gold Hill to Graves Creek with the heaviest commercial usage from Grants Pass to Graves Creek. Commercial boats run from the pool above Devil’s Staircase to the docks at Gold Beach with private jet boats running much of this, as well.

Until fairly recently, jet boats have not been used above the bridge at TouVelle park. In fact, use by motor boats historically above TouVelle has been frowned upon.

A large number of citizens propose that the reach from the Hatchery at Lost Creek to the Table Rock Road bridge at TouVelle park be limited to boat motors of 15 horsepower or less. This will accommodate the needs of guides and fisherman, protect this fragile reach of the Rogue River and the safety of the large number of non-motorized recreationists who enjoy this stretch.

Please give your support for this effort.

Wayne Zallen / Eagle Point

Wallan earned ‘perfect’ grade on conservation issues

It wasn’t easy to earn zero on the Oregon League of Conservation Voters 2023 Scorecard. By consistently voting against our health and environment, Medford’s Rep. Kim Wallan achieved it! (See www.olcvscorecard.org/2023/house/wallan)

In order to do this, Wallan voted against:

• A package of bills promoting resilience in the face of climate change and another package promoting clean energy;

• Protecting kids from toxic chemicals;

• Reducing waste by banning single-use polystyrene foam packaging;

• Allowing customers to fill personal containers from bulk food units in groceries;

• Requiring the disclosure of chemicals in personal care products (cosmetics);

• Addressing racism as a public health issue;

• Allowing water resources departments to improve water protection; and

• Allowing DEQ to enforce pollution permits by collecting fees.

Wallan also voted to allow:

• Increased urban fire risk by promoting city expansion into the Wildland Urban Interface; and

• Ports to evade land-use regulations.

Alan Journet / Jacksonville