Ban of gas-fired motors proposed on Waldo Lake

Conservationists hope a ban on gas-fired motor boats will be in place on Waldo Lake by next summer.  A hearing on the ban was held Monday night in Eugene.
 
Waldo Lake is in the Cascade Mountains 70 miles east of Eugene. Doug Heiken with the conservation group Oregon Wild says it’s one of the clearest lakes in the world.
 
Heiken: “Gasoline-powered motors not only present the risk of fuel spills but it’s also a noise issue. Waldo Lake is such a special place. It’s almost sacred to so many people who recreate up there. So we think we can have one lake where we have that quietude that really suits a lake of that character.”
 
The ban would allow electric motor-boats on the lake and holds exceptions for emergency personnel.   Floatplane users object to the proposed ban because they say Waldo is an important access point for traveling in the Cascade Range.  Governor Kulongoski supports the ban as does the U-S Forest Service. The Oregon State Marine Board is set to make a decision on a proposed ban on gas-fired boats in January.
 
Another hearing on the proposed ban on gas-fired motor boats at Waldo Lake is December 10th in Bend.