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Marine Board weighs free non-motorized access days to boost participation and outreach
Summary
Staff proposed expanding and shifting free non-motorized waterway-access days to warmer, family- and education-oriented dates (Earth Day, life-jacket awareness events) rather than existing winter days; board supported work with partners and asked staff to return with proposals in October.
Boating facilities staff proposed that the board consider revising the timing and number of free non-motorized waterway-access days to better reach target audiences and avoid high-traffic holiday safety risks.
Janine Belek noted the board has historically aligned free days with ODFW free-fishing days but suggested alternative dates with stronger outreach potential—Earth Day, life-jacket-awareness events, and family-oriented spring weekends—and said staff would consult nonprofit grantees (riverkeepers, local paddle clubs) and the whitewater community to identify dates that maximize safe participation and program goals.
Board members supported exploring spring/summer options, suggested pilot dates and partner convenings, and directed staff to return with a concrete proposal in October to allow outreach coordination and grant partners to plan events.
