05/14/1979 Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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II. Public Hearings A. Consideration of Jetboats on Willamette River Issue (Materials Dis- tributed)--Manager noted the City had received a petition and a large amount of correspondence asking the City Council take an active role in this matter. The Planning staff has done preliminary research on how to go about this. It will require a lot of legal research and staff time. Who has control over the river and its banks seems to be something that needs clarifying. e Public hearing was opened. Speaking in favor of the jetboats on the Willamette River was: Roger Eugene Lefler, PO Box 389, Rogue River, owner of the jetboat operation; he said he would answer any questions. Those speaking against the jetboats on the Willamette River were: Ka, Robinhold, 4450 Hilyard; Fred Mohr, 2662 Alder; Louis Osternig, 79 Fair Oaks; Terry McCabe, 1717 Carmel; John McCaffrey, 414 East 15th Avenue; Peter M. Patricelli, MD, 2385 Madrona; Michael Piper, 2682 Potter; Steve Gilbert, 1260 Fairview; Richard Bappe, 1172 West 5th Avenue; Ron McMullan, 1420 East Briarcliff Lane; and George Gary, 1970 Grant. Those who testified against the jetboats on the Willamette River did not like the noise of the 40-passenger vehicle. They were concerned ~ about safety for canoeists, fishermen, and waders. Fishermen asked ~ why an environmental impact statement had not been required. Citing a New Zealand study of 40-percent mortality to salmon eggs when jetboats stir the spawning beds, they asked why the Oregon Fish & Wildlife Commission was not concerned. One suggestion was to declare a "quiet zone" from the Ferry Street Bridge to Beltline Bridge. They noted that this was a beautiful, safe stretch of river unique for being a safe place for people to canoe and raft. They asked why an impact statement was not asked for by the Army Corp of Engineers before the dock was built. Two studies were cited: One concerned the phasing out of motorized traffic on the Colorado River in the Grand Canyon. The other concerned the monitoring by the BLM of conflicts between motorized and non-motorized vehicles on the Rogue River. The cost of regulation of motorized boats on the Willamette River was another concern of those who testified. Public hearing was closed, there being no further testimony presented. Mr. Delay moved, seconded by Mr. Hamel, to defer action to a less crowded agenda in order to provide the Council more time to consider the matter. 5/14/79--2 e 251