Those dopes passed it 16-11. Next step is to appeal to the house of reps.

===========
This just in from the CSPA... State senate is voting tomorrow morning on this issue (SB 602) that could prevent state waters from being used by aircraft. We have a lot of Oregonians here who can chime in. Look up your state (not federal) senator. In my case, my state senator is Richard Devlin. Here's my letter to him:

=====

Senator Devlin,

As both a pilot and a canoe paddler, I exist on both sides of the debate for these interest groups who seem to be at odds regarding floatplane usage of Waldo Lake. I can firmly state however, that I wish to see Waldo Lake and other state lakes remain open to floatplane usage and access. Here's why:

Floatplanes have a very light environmental footprint, much less so that power boats, because their exhaust does not contact the water. They also do not have a propeller in the water. They are, in essence, just like a kayak or canoe in terms of impact, and they number far fewer than boats.

SB 602 would prevent pilots from using Waldo Lake and other state waters for landing, which would be a tragedy for many reasons. Since floatplanes must use water for landing, Waldo and other lakes provide very important chain of safety zones should the aircraft encounter engine trouble on a cross-country flight. The number of floatplanes active in the state of Oregon is less than other states, however our state has a large body of active pilots who stand firmly on this issue that our state waters remain open. To deny them access would be unfair, and has few benefits. For example, Minnesota enjoys a very healthy and active float flying population that even contributes to many of the local economies around the state, as do Washington, Alaska, Florida, and Maine to name a few.

Please vote NO on SB 602 and help preserve my access to public waters.

Sincerely,
Zane Jacobson
Lake Oswego, OR

Done.

Wow!! Is this just for Oregon?

Reason I ask. After sending an email to the last Idaho Senator on the list, I got to thinking that I believe Idaho had already have restrictions on float plane usage. Oh well, I sent a email to the three Idaho State Senators and two in DC.

Mine was short and sweet:

Just short and sweet.......

Idaho has a very rich and historic general aviation and especially backcountry flying and airstrip network. Please vote NO on SB-602! Float planes have very little impact on the lakes and rivers. Much less than boats, that's for sure.

Thank you for this consideration.
Pat Muras (Private Pilot rated)
Emmett, ID

We sent ours off, too!

Thanks Zane!

Well.... At least I got a reply from my Senator Lenore Barrett :

Pat: I cannot find a “SB602” in our data (?) so I don’t have a reference for your comment. Are you sure the number is right? On a personal level, I have no quarrel with float planes. Thanks for contacting me.

Oh well. It's the thought that counts, right?

58Skylane wrote:Well.... At least I got a reply from my Senator Lenore Barrett :

Pat: I cannot find a “SB602” in our data (?) so I don’t have a reference for your comment. Are you sure the number is right? On a personal level, I have no quarrel with float planes. Thanks for contacting me.

Oh well. It's the thought that counts, right?

It's a bill in the Oregon legislature, not the US Senate.

Zzz wrote:

58Skylane wrote:Well.... At least I got a reply from my Senator Lenore Barrett :

Pat: I cannot find a “SB602” in our data (?) so I don’t have a reference for your comment. Are you sure the number is right? On a personal level, I have no quarrel with float planes. Thanks for contacting me.

Oh well. It's the thought that counts, right?

It's a bill in the Oregon legislature, not the US Senate.

Can I still send a message to an Oregon Senator even if I'm a Idaho resident? We do have Owyhee Res nearby.

Zzz wrote:Those dopes passed it 16-11. Next step is to appeal to the house of reps.

Do you know who came up with crazy idea? Feels like a sucker punch to the aviation community!

Can I still send a message to an Oregon Senator even if I'm a Idaho resident? We do have Owyhee Res nearby.

Yes. Use that link above to look up any of the Oregon state reps and email them to share the story of Owhyee.

When does this go before the House of Representatives?

Wow, the 10 seaplanes in OR are a threat to the environment. Guess the other 2,000,000 cars and trucks are good with nature. At least I don't need to cut a road into the forest to access Lake Waldo.

I am sorry gentleman.

The People's Republic of Oregon have spoken.

Even though I raft the Wild & Scenic rivers I STRONGLY dislike 99.5% of the people in the sport. They can flat out FUBAR anything which makes sense.

We lives in amazingly restrictive & ever so evolving times.

byeBill

When the left - leaning majority of folks who live in urban and suburban areas are the ones who elect the officials, this is the result. Democracy by mob.

Lets keep the thread action-oriented.

(Deleted thread creep sorry!)

You can write as many words as you like comparing the government to evil dictators, but it only amounts to sore fingers. Write to your district House rep with a professionally worded letter on your stance on this bill. In fact, write to many of them. Angry spittle and the all-too-common high level philosophy about how terrible the country is and fears of "socialism" will just be blown off.

Cite specifics-- real reasons and not ideological ones-- and state that you and your friends are voters for whom this issue is a deciding point. The Senate vote wasn't a landslide, it was 16-11. There is hope.

Kenny Chapman wrote:When does this go before the House of Representatives?

Oregon State Assembly!

Says the first reading is today.

http://www.leg.state.or.us/13reg/pubs/hse1st.pdf

Does that constitute the vote?

Sent a letter to my state rep this morning. Hope it's not too late.

Zane, do you mind if I rip-off most of your letter? It's very well written.

Also, what's the easiest way to figure out my state rep for district 4? (never mind, found it: [email protected])

Thanks!