Is Waldo Lake Motor Ban A Done Deal? | Natural Oregon

Is Waldo Lake Motor Ban A Done Deal? | Natural Oregon: "Is Waldo Lake Motor Ban A Done Deal?
Monday, November 23, 2009
By Dennis Newman
Waldo Lake. From the Oregon Department of State Lands.

Waldo Lake. From the Oregon Department of State Lands.

If the Eugene Register Guard is correct, tonight’s hearing on a proposed ban on gasoline boat motors at Waldo Lake could a a long, hot tempered affair.

But only sure to add some heat, is a new story in the paper that the ban may already be a done deal, signed weeks ago between the U.S. Forest Service and the head of the Oregon State Marine Board.

See Story: Motorized Boat Ban For Waldo Signed

Never mind that the neither first or the second public hearing haven’t been held. Nor has the Marine Board even voted on the proposal. But if the paper has this right, the ban is already in effect and basically waiting to be ratified by the board.

At near 5,400 feet in elevation, Waldo Lake is one of the highest in the state. It’s also quite large, nearly 6,300 acres in far eastern Lane County. The ban would make it the largest motor free lake in the state.

But what makes the lake so special are the pristine waters. Some reports claim you can see down 100 feet when conditions are right. The gas motor ban is designed to keep Waldo Lake crystal clear.

For more information on the when and where the meeting will be held, please see my Green Calendar For Monday story published a few minutes ago."