February 20, 2020                                                                    SAMPLE LETTER
Mult.chair@multco.us   
District1@multco.us
District2@multco.us
District3@multco.us
District4@multco.us
sheriff@mcso.us 

Chair Deborah Kafoury
District 1 Commissioner Sharon Meieran
District 2 Commissioner Susheela Jayapal
District 3 Commissioner Jessica Vega Pederson
District 4 Commissioner Lori Stegmann
Sheriff Michael Reese

Dear Commissioners,

We have learned of the budget reduction two years ago that resulted in the loss of a River Patrol team. I am asking the Commission to restore this team for Portland in this current budget session. I am a Sellwood floating home owner and my community in South Reach of three floating home moorages (295 residents), three marinas, nine university and public crew and paddling club organizations, Rose Festival Dragon Boat race teams, sailing and unaffiliated boaters numbers more than 4,200 people.

They are concerned, as I am, about safety, with increasing high intensity wake in the past two to three years, and the associated steep rise in boater swampings, accidents and capsizings, and damage to homes and marinas. They have worked together as Calm Water Coalition for the past year to find solutions. Here is a 5-minute presentation overview of CWC and its goals:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=unu6uXO1nrY
Recent wake accident incidents:
* In the past two years over 100 boats have been swamped and 8 boats have been capsized. More than 100 people have been thrown into the river, 2 broken rowing shells, and more damage than ever before to floating homes, docks and marinas.
* August 2019: 8-seat shell broken in half by wake boat deep water start wake; 14-18 year-old rowers    
* Coaches report weekly swampings of team boats during Summer 2018-2019

Two recent KPTV news stories illustrate the danger to rowers and paddlers.     
       https://youtu.be/ZovZfK9hhG0     https://youtu.be/SeM2xTbtaHQ 
       
Adding to this, recent Newberg Pool Rules restricting wake surfing in selected areas in the Upper Willamette has exacerbated the situation. Clackamas County Sgt. Nate Thompson, spoke at an OSMB Public Comment session on October 23rd saying, “Lower Willamette river traffic increased heavily this year -- boaters didn’t want to deal with Upper River areas [zone rules]. The enhanced staff for the Upper River took staff away from the other areas.” And, more surf restrictions are currently under consideration by the Board.

With all these impacts, we are in serious need of more law enforcement on the river. We would like to work with the Commissioners, the Sheriff, the City of Portland and OSMB in finding enforcement support for the growing user conflict and safety issues on the Portland Willamette.  

Renée Morgan
Portland Rowing Club, Member, Calm Water Coalition