KNOWLEDGE BASE / / Oregon’s Marine Environment

Oregon’s Marine Environment

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Protecting Oregon’s Marine Environment

In order to protect Oregon’s marine environemtn, litter laws are in place to prevent toxic waste from being dumped into the state’s waterways.

In Oregon, human waste, as well as kitchen, bath and laundry wastes (often considered gray water) are all considered ‘sewage’. The discharge of any sewage (treated or untreated) from marine toilets is prohibited on all freshwater lakes, impoundments and reservoirs that are not accessible by boat from the ocean.

Illegal sewage discharge can be reported to the USCG or the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality, Water Quality Division.

For more information regarding Oregon’s marine sewage and waste water disposal laws, visit the Oregon State Marine Board website.

Oregon’s Aquatic Invasive Species Prevention (AISP) Program

Operators of all motorized boats must obtain an Aquatic Invasive Species Prevention Permit (AISP) as of January 1st, 2010. Fees for this permit are included in the boat registration fee. Current registration decals are proof of payment for the AISP.

Illustration of boat being driven through Oregon's marine environment in waterways filled with zebra mussles.

Oregon’s AISP Program for Paddle Craft

Operators of paddle craft that are 10 feet in length or greater must obtain an AISP permit and carry it on board, when their paddle craft is in use. Permits can be obtained for $7 plus a $2 agent fee for permits purchased through the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife. These permits are transferable to other human-powered boats.

Any paddle craft under 10 feet in length are exempt from this regulation.

AISPs are available as either 1 or 2 year permits (the 1 year permit expires on December 31st of the year it was issued and the 2 year permit expire on December 31st of the 2nd year it was issued).