Take Action: Oregon Waterway Access Permits

In 2025, the Oregon Legislature passed HB 2982, expanding the types of vessels subject to waterway access permits and increasing associated fees. The legislation moved quickly, with limited public input, and American Whitewater was the only organization to formally oppose the bill during the legislative hearing. We were successful in helping secure an exemption for small, nonmotorized boats engaged in whitewater recreation. We’re encouraging boaters to weigh-in with public comments at a rulemaking hearing regarding this legislation on Dec. 4. 

Under HB 2982, anyone 14 years or older must carry a waterway access permit while operating a nonmotorized boat in Oregon. Certain small craft are exempt:

“Nonmotorized boats that are less than 10 feet in length that are engaged in whitewater recreation activities, as defined by the board by rule.”

The permit fee is $20, with $12 going to the Waterway Access Fund and $8 to the Aquatic Invasive Species Prevention Fund. The Waterway Access Grant Program does provide resources for river access including sites that serve paddlesports. Recent examples include the new river access sites on the Klamath at Pioneer Park and Moonshine Falls, Eagle Landing on the Tualatin, and Millers Landing and Maupin City Park on the Deschutes River. These programs deserve robust funding, but in our testimony, we noted that whitewater boaters already pay a variety of fees to access public lands and waters, including National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Access Passes, Oregon State Parks parking permits, county park fees, Wild and Scenic River lottery applications, float permits, and other location or activity specific charges. The growing number of fees is becoming an unsustainable way to fund recreation and conservation programs.

In 2019, American Whitewater worked with the Oregon State Marine Board (OSMB) to create the original exemption for small nonmotorized boats, recognizing that craft like whitewater kayaks and packrafts rarely require developed access facilities and pose a lower risk for spreading aquatic invasive species. Funds from larger boats, including rafts and trailered watercraft, have supported improved waterway access, which has benefited whitewater boaters, particularly those using boats longer than 10 feet and commercial outfitters.

The OSMB is now defining which whitewater waterways qualify for the new exemptions through a rulemaking process open to public comment. This is a critical opportunity: OSMB staff have acknowledged having limited in-house expertise on whitewater issues and are relying on guidance from the paddling community. The Board’s initial draft sets the exemption at Class IV or higher, which we believe is too narrow (view map: <https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/72308dd6b893451690a14437cde89be8>). This threshold is inconsistent with Oregon’s existing definition of whitewater in outfitter and guide requirements (ORS 704.070 and OAR 250-016-0075), which applies to Class III and above. It also differs from Washington’s standard, which defines whitewater rivers as any section containing at least one Class III rapid or greater (RCW 79A.60.495).

We encourage all paddlers to weigh in. Public comment is specific to the definition of whitewater waterways, and your input could directly influence which rivers are exempt. The OSMB has provided several ways to engage. You can attend the public hearing in person or online on December 4, 2025, from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM, or submit written comments by December 15, 2025, at 11:55 PM.

Hearing Details:

• In-person: Oregon State Marine Board Office, 435 Commercial St NE, Suite 400, Salem, OR 97301

• Remote: Join via Teams

• Phone: 503-446-4951 | Conference ID: 199698632

• Written comments: Jennifer Cooper, 503-378-2617, jennifer.cooper@boat.oregon.gov

Citizen Initiative 

Separate from this rulemaking, a citizen-led effort is underway to repeal the new law altogether through the state initiative process. Let Us Paddle has formed a Political Action Committee to advance Initiative Petition 2026-053, which would repeal Oregon Revised Statute 830.624. If successful, this would eliminate the Waterway Access Permit and associated fees—but also end the Waterway Access Fund and grant program.

American Whitewater is not taking a formal position on this initiative at this time, but we encourage paddlers to learn more and consider the tradeoffs between the burden of user fees and the potential impacts on Oregon’s river access and funding, particularly for high-use facilities. More information is available at letuspaddle.com