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ACTION ALERT: Senator Meek is Undermining Critical Protections for the Willamette River – Oppose SB 301!
River advocates, we need you now!
Senator Meek has launched a direct attack on hard-fought public safety and environmental protections in the Newberg Pool. In a behind-the-scenes maneuver, Senator Meek is attempting to hijack SB 301—originally intended as a wake boat safety study bill—by stuffing it with an amendment that would gut the weight restrictions established under SB 1589 (2022). Note: the [bracketed] existing language would be removed from the current legislation in this amendment.
This amendment would eliminate ballast weight from how the total wake boat wieght compliance is measured, creating a loophole that effectively guts SB 1589’s enforceability. Let’s be clear: This isn’t just about technicalities—this is about public safety, the environment, and the future of the Willamette River.
Here's what's at stake:
Public Safety: Since SB 1589 passed, we've seen a significant increase in paddlers, swimmers, anglers, and small craft users returning to the Newberg Pool. These calm waters are a haven for low-impact recreation. Allowing 5,500+ pound wake boats—operating with undisclosed ballast weight—will bring back dangerous conditions that put families and all users at risk.
Environmental Harm: The Newberg Pool is critical habitat for federally protected Upper Willamette River Chinook salmon and steelhead. These species rely on this section of the river for migration and spawning. Large, artificial wakes from ballast-laden boats erode shorelines, damage riparian vegetation, and degrade fish habitat.
Enforcement Nightmare: Senator Meek is banking on legislators forgetting the reason ballast weight was included in SB 1589. A decade of failed enforcement on the old "no ballast" rule taught us that without ballast weight considered, compliance collapses. Law enforcement and marine officials testified repeatedly that the existing ballast ban was ignored and unenforceable.
Corporate Influence Over Common Sense: Meek’s proposal prioritizes the profits of out-of-state corporate boat manufacturers and a small minority of wake boat users over the thousands who rely on the Newberg Pool for safe, sustainable recreation.
The Facts: The average loading weight of most boats using this section is well under 4,000 lbs.
There are ample alternative locations on the Willamette River where large wake-generating boats can safely operate. Peer-reviewed studies—including the newly published work by Professor Macfarlane—recommend a minimum 500-foot buffer for wake boats to protect shorelines, well beyond what the Newberg Pool can accommodate.
What Senator Meek is doing:
Senator Meek is counting on confusion. He wants to appear as though he’s "tweaking" regulations, but the reality is simple: he’s opening the floodgates for larger wake boats to once again dominate the Newberg Pool, reversing seven years of progress. Let’s also be clear that legislation already exists to adjust weight thresholds responsibly if needed. This is not that. This is a last-minute power play.
What we need from you:
🔴 Testify or submit written opposition to SB 301 immediately!
🔴 A public hearing is scheduled for March 26th at 3pm—register to provide testimony
🔴 Call your legislators and tell them to REJECT this gut-and-stuff amendment and stand with the majority of Willamette River users who value safety, habitat protection, and access for all.
Senator Meek is gambling that few will notice this last-minute amendment. Let’s prove him wrong! Protect the Willamette. Protect public access.
Oppose SB 301 and its proposed -1 Amendment NOW:
>>>Read the Legislation HERE
>>>Read Senator Meek's Amendment for ballast weight HERE
Note: the [bracketed] existing language would be removed from the current legislation in this amendment.
>>>Sign-up to Give Oral Testimony (in person or online) HERE
We included the following suggested template below for your convenience. Feel free to edit and adapt your own feelings and points on this issue.
_______________________________________________________
Senate Committee on Energy and Environment
Oregon State Legislature
900 Court Street NE
Salem, OR 97301
RE: Opposition to SB 301 – Protect Public Safety and Habitat in the Newberg Pool and the greater Willamette River
Dear Chair, Senator Sollman ; Vice-Chair, Senator Findley ; Member, Senator Golden ; Member, Senator Hayden ; Member, Senator Lieber:
My name is [Your Name], and I am a resident of [Your City/Town] and an active user of the Willamette River. I am writing today to express my strong opposition to SB 301 and its proposed amendment to remove ballast weight from vessel weight regulations in the Newberg Pool.
I am deeply concerned that this bill and its amendment would undermine the progress made under SB 1589 (2022), which has significantly improved both public safety and ecological health in this unique section of the Willamette River.
The Newberg Pool has become a vital space for paddlers, swimmers, anglers, and other low-impact users who rely on its calm waters. The inclusion of ballast weight in boat restrictions under SB 1589 was essential to reducing unsafe wakes and conflicts between river users. Removing this ballast weight consideration will reintroduce the same enforcement challenges that plagued the area for over a decade.
Additionally, this change would have dire ecological consequences. The Newberg Pool is critical habitat for federally protected Upper Willamette River Chinook salmon and steelhead. Larger wakes from heavily ballasted boats accelerate shoreline erosion, degrade spawning habitat, and threaten already at-risk fish populations.
I also question the rationale for this amendment, which seems to benefit only a small number of large wake boat operators at the expense of the wider community and the health of the river. Studies—including a newly peer-reviewed report by Professor Macfarlane—show that larger wake-generating boats require significantly more buffer space from shorelines (500 feet or more), a condition the Newberg Pool simply cannot meet.
SB 1589 is working. It has restored balance to the Newberg Pool, created safer conditions, and reduced habitat degradation. SB 301 and its amendment represent a step backward that I urge you to reject.
Please stand up for river safety, environmental stewardship, and the interests of the majority who cherish this unique waterway. I respectfully request that you vote NO on SB 301 and its proposed -1 amendment.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Optional: Organization, if applicable]
________________________________________________________
Thank you for speaking out for OUR Willamette River!
Michelle Emmons
Michelle Emmons
Co-Executive Director
Willamette Riverkeeper
We stand in solidarity to support opposition to SB 301with Willamette Farms, Native Fish Society, Oregon River Safety & Preservation Alliance, Trout Unlimited, The Conservation Angler, Human Access Project, Oregon Conservation Network, Oregon League of Conservation Voters
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