After considering hours of public comments in Medford earlier this month and “thousands” of written comments, the Oregon State Marine Board approved the next stage toward proposed boating restrictions on the Upper Rogue River.

The marine board, during its meeting Wednesday at the Hood River library, unanimously approved rulemaking on a proposal that includes limits on commercial jet boats to no more than 300 trips per year upstream of Table Rock Road.

The issue of jet boats has been debated locally sometimes passionately and has simmered for years, with community meetings organized by the Oregon’s Kitchen Table project to gather public input.

Outside the dates of May 8 and Sept. 10 on the main stem of the Rogue River, boats would be limited to 10 horsepower or less under the proposed rule adopted Wednesday by the board. The area is between Ferry County Park and the Lost Creek Dam. 

The horsepower restriction was made under the advisement of Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife guidance, Oregon State Marine Board Policy and Environmental Program Manager Alan Hanson told the board. He also explained that Ferry County Park was selected as a boundary instead of the area of the former Gold Ray Dam because it’s hard to recognize a site that no longer exists.

Hanson explained during the meeting that Oregon is unique in that the state’s boating agency is separate from its natural resource agencies. Despite many environmental concerns raised at the Oct. 2 meeting held in Medford, he clarified that the marine board is primarily in charge of safety, congestion and property rights.

“We’re going to fail miserably at making everybody happy,” Hanson said.

The boundaries set during the hearing, however, are designed to be consistent with fishing regulation boundaries set by Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife.

During the meeting, the marine board sought to describe its decision to move forward with boating restrictions as carefully considered. Board member Craig Withee, in making his motion to approve rulemaking on the proposal, touched on how it is intended to address spawning salmon because boating operations are outside the outlined period; how it addresses safety concerns in the congested area above Dodge Bridge and how it accommodates current river users.

The board’s approval opens a new public comment period, a rules hearing with tribal nations and further consultation with tribes.

Staff at the marine board informed the board that initial feedback indicates tribes appear to be neutral on the proposed boating restrictions, but they would be consulted during the process.

If approved for final consideration at its Jan. 23 meeting in Salem, the rule would then be finalized by the Oregon Secretary of State’s Office.