The Oregon State Marine Board will hold a public hearing on May 21 on proposed rule language for motorboat operations on the Siletz River in Lincoln County. The meeting will be a hybrid format, where members of the public can attend in person at the Marine Board office, located at 435 Commercial St. NE., Suite 400, in Salem, or virtually.  

At its April 23, 2026, meeting, the Marine Board approved opening the rulemaking process and directed agency staff to hold a public hearing, public comment session, and work session, in addition to a written comment period, before July’s quarterly meeting. The Board will then have its next opportunity to approve, modify, or deny final rules.

The proposed rule changes would preserves traditional boating uses and prevents user conflict on the Siletz River upstream of Jack Morgan Park boat ramp. The rule allows the use of small boat motors between Jack Morgan Park boat ramp and Old Mill Park boat ramp and restricts the use of motors upstream of Old Mill Park boat ramp and all tributaries above Jack Morgan Park boat ramp. This will minimize conflict between motorized and nonmotorized uses of the river. It will also prevent high-speed travel in this section of the river.

The amendment places restrictions on the use of motors on section of the Siletz River. The rules will apply equally to all users in the identified section of river. No state agencies, units of local government, or members of the public are not anticipared to be economically affected by these rules. The Lincoln County Sheriff's Office will be responsible for enforcing the motor restrictions.

No state agencies, units of local government, or members of the public will be economically affected by these rules. The Lincoln County Sheriff's Office will be responsible for enforcing the motor restrictions. Small businesses primarily consisting of approximately 15-20 seasonal fishing guides that use motors will be limited to the section of the river they will be allowed to continue to use their motors. If they choose to use the nonmotorized section of the river, they may only be capable of guiding 2 individuals rather than 3 individuals.

Small businesses were invited to provide comments through several public comment opportunities and representatives were included in the Rule Advisory Committee Process. The fishing guides on the Siletz River were very active in submitting written comments and providing verbal comments at open comment periods following each on the RAC meeting and also at public comment periods at Marine Board meetings. The proposed rule would restrict the use of a boat motors with greater than 15 horsepower to propel a boat between Jack Morgan Park boat ramp to Old Mill Park boat ramp and prohibits the use of all motors upstream of Old Mill Park boat ramp and all tributaries above Jack Morgan Park boat ramp.

The hearing is an open format, from 11 am to 2 pm, where the public can provide comments online or visit the Marine Board office, with minimal impact on their day. The written comment deadline is June 30, 2026, at 11:55 pm. Written comments can be submitted by email to jennifer.cooper@boat.oregon.gov or by U.S. mail to: Jennifer Cooper, Administrative Rules Coordinator, Oregon State Marine Board, 435 Commercial Street NE, Salem, OR 97301.

To view the proposed rule and the hearing details, visit the Marine Board’s Public Meetings page.