Protecting Waldo Gas-engine ban will prevent degradation.

Byline: The Register-Guard

The final decision is in: Putt putt, no. Silence, yes.

The U.S. Forest Service made the right call Monday in standing by its decision to ban motorboats and other gas-powered engines (think chainsaws, generators and the noisome like) from Waldo Lake.

Located 20 miles east of Oakridge, Waldo is the headwaters of the North Fork of the Willamette River. It is one of the cleanest and clearest lakes in the world - the Atlas of Oregon Lakes memorably describes its clarity as "that of rainwater in a pristine environment."

Waldo is Oregon's second deepest lake after Crater Lake - its more famous cousin and the body of water to which Waldo is most often compared. Actually, Waldo is geologically more similar to Lake Tahoe, which, like Waldo, was formed by a glacier and is nestled in a high mountain basin.

Surrounded by wilderness on two sides, Waldo's extraordinary beauty and purity deserve an equally extraordinary level of protection. That's why the U.S. Forest Service made the controversial but necessary decision several years ago to phase out gas-powered boats on the lake.

The ban on gas engines was no arbitrary decision. It was the preferred alternative in the Willamette National Forest's Waldo Lake management plan, which was the result of years of intensive study.

In fairness, gas and oil spills from powerboats haven't caused pollution problems in Waldo - not yet, anyway. That's why the management plan focused mostly on the aesthetic, rather than environmental, benefits of a ban. A survey of visitors showed that most favored a ban on gas-powered boats and cited noise as the main reason.

But the ban is about more than aesthetics. Sooner or later, continued use of gas engines would have polluted the lake. By acting now, the Forest Service has wisely chosen not to wait until water quality is damaged by fuel and oil discharges and spills.

Not everyone agrees with the ban. Eugene resident Steven Stewart appealed the ban in June, arguing that it would prevent elderly and disabled people from enjoying the lake. In filing his appeal, Stewart invoked the memory of his late father, Stub Stewart, the long-time Bohemia Lumber Co. owner and state parks supporter.

Stub Stewart was no supporter of the gas-engine ban - he enjoyed an annual motor tour around the lake into his 90s, and his family opposed the proposed ban for years. But Stewart was also a strong advocate of providing recreational opportunities for all Oregonians.

With much of the activity on nearby Odell and Crescent lakes centering on motorized recreation, the gas-motor ban will ensure that Waldo Lake is available to those many who prefer a quieter, more tranquil - and motorless - experience. As for older or disabled people who want to get out on the lake or reach a distant campsite, the ban allows the use of boats powered by electric motors.

It's important to remember that the ban is just part of a larger effort to protect Waldo for future generations. Several years ago, an increase in the number of microscopic organisms in the water prompted federal land managers to make improvements to campground waste disposal systems and move campsites away from the lake's shores.

As for the younger Stewart, he's exhausted his opportunities for administrative appeal but plans to take his fight to federal court. He insists the Forest Service overstepped its authority, and that the Oregon State Marine Board has jurisdiction over use of the lake. It's a matter of principal, he says.

Stewart should reconsider. There's nothing wrong in arguing for the sake of a principal. But there is something wrong in doing so at the risk of damaging some of the purest, most glorious waters in the world.