No-wake zone sails toward board approval

March 2011 News

No one opposed a proposal to enforce a 100-foot no-wake zone near the Edgewater RV Marina on the southwest corner of Foster Reservoir during a public hearing sponsored by the Oregon Marine Board on Thursday evening at the Jim Riggs Community Center.

The issue will be voted on during the board's meeting at 8 a.m. April 21, 435 Commercial N.E., Salem.

The default no-wake area for most lakes is 200 feet, but the owners of the marina and the Army Corps of Engineers agree that the marina will not be adversely affected by the shorter no-wake zone.

The marine board conducted a test using monitoring equipment on buoys during the 2010 boating season and determined the shorter no-wake zone would be appropriate.

Board spokesman Randy Henry said before the marina was developed, there was some concern from the public that the area was used extensively for water skiing and personal watercraft.

But there have been few problems, Henry said, and Linn County water patrol deputies agreed.

The marina owners support the proposal.

Last summer was the first full season for the 40-slip marina that is open all year long. The main season is May through October.

The marina also rents fishing boats, a ski boat, a pontoon boat and a paddle boat during the summer months.

There is no boat ramp at the marina, but Linn County has ramps at Calkins Point, Sunnyside and Gedney Creek, all on Foster Reservoir.

The reservoir began water flow regulation in 1968 and encompasses 1,200 acres. It welcomes nearly 600,000 visitors annually.

It is the most used body of water in Linn County, according to the marine board's triennial survey of boating activity.

http://www.democratherald.com/news/local/article_76703d8c-4c62-11e0-a034-001cc4c002e0.html
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