A strategic plan can be defined as a thorough and careful process to make decisions and determine actions that shape and guide an organization. Since we are the state’s recreational boating agency, the ultimate goal is to serve Oregon’s boaters in the best way possible. The decisions and actions are based on a broad understanding of our customers and constituencies. We must couple this understanding with an objective view of our strengths and weaknesses. Through this process of public input, mediated discussions and Board decisions, a strategic plan will help us best understand where the agency is now, where it wants to be, and how it will get there.
Why a strategic plan now?
· It is important for any agency, business or organization to review its mission and priorities on a regular basis. We’re over-due. Boating has changed dramatically in the last 15 years. While boat registrations have generally declined, certain types of motorized boat use have increased significantly. We face environmental issues today that weren’t understood 15 years ago. Interest in paddling and rowing sports has increased substantially. The best way to weave these changing needs together and develop a plan to manage them is through a process that provides direct contact with the broader boating public and the partners who provide services to them.
How will my comments be used?
· When we have a meeting to discuss a proposed rule, we often only hear from the local interest groups. This process will give a more global perspective on what boaters want from the Oregon State Marine Board. Your comments will be reviewed, categorized and carefully considered. Your viewpoint may represent a larger group of people we haven’t considered, or you may raise issues, concerns, solutions or suggestions we haven’t heard before.
Is this a back-door way to raise fees?
· No. This is a front-door way to determine what Oregon’s broad array of boaters expect from the Marine Board. We will, as all organizations with a budget must do, weigh these expectations against existing resources as we develop the priority goals for the coming years.
Why is the Board inviting non-motorized boaters to participate when they don’t pay registration fees?
· Nonmotorized boaters are, first and foremost, boaters. The Marine Board has statutory authority to enact rules that can govern non-motorized boating. Historically, non-motorized boating has occurred most frequently on rural waterways with little need for oversight or management. However, the number of non-motorized boats has increased significantly and users now seek assistance from law enforcement and often seek regulation benefiting their operation. They cannot and should not be ignored, and deserve an equal opportunity to participate in the discussion.
Will this really result in any significant change?
· We’ll let the process determine the need for, and scope of, change. However, change is occurring whether we want it to or not. Boaters increasingly want “greener” boating facilities such as wash stations to prevent invasive species infestations. Some want areas free of wakes where they can fish or paddle in peace. Others want areas where they can wakeboard without restriction. Others dislike certain agency directions and push for change statutorily. This is a proactive effort to understand the landscape and implement change that best serves boaters.
-
Search It!
-
Recent Entries
-
Links
Increased regulation of non-motorized boats, such as my touring kayak, is akin to increased regulation by traffic police of pedestrians and how they walk down the sidewalk. Further, are we going to also start charging fees or requiring registration for swimmers because they also get into trouble in the water? Don’t turn Oregon into California, please.
I don’t mind following the rules and complying with safety recommendations, but I don’t want more bureaucracy and red tape for a boating method that I chose for its simplicity. I do think that commercial use of non-motorized boats could use some scrutiny because of the huge increase in the number of drift boats on some streams, mostly fish guides from what I can see. However, I think the issues behind non-motorized boats are significantly less than those associated with motorized boats. In general, a boat that travels without a motor travels a significantly smaller distance, at a much reduced speed compared to motorized travel. As for assistance from law enforcement, that’s part of what we already pay for in our taxes.