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6.10.26
LET US PADDLE URGES ALL OREGONIANS TO SIGN THE PETITION NOW TO REPEAL UNJUST NON-MOTORIZED WATERCRAFT PERMIT REQUIREMENT
News Release from Let Us Paddle
Posted on FlashAlert: June 10th, 2026 3:15 PM
Oregon –With June as the final month to gather signatures, the Let Us Paddle campaign is calling on every Oregonian—farmers, fishers, hunters, small business owners, parents, grandparents, and outdoor enthusiasts across the state—to stand united with the kayaking, canoeing, and stand-up paddleboarding community.
The goal is to qualify a ballot measure for November that will restore liberty to Oregon’s waterways by repealing the burdensome, unjustified permit requirement on non-motorized watercraft.
“This permit is nothing more than taxation without representation and blatant government overreach,” said Kari Goodheart, Chief Petitioner for Let Us Paddle. “It targets a small group of paddlers knowing full well there aren’t enough kayaks, canoes, and paddleboards in the state to qualify this on our own. We need all Oregonians to step up. This is about more than paddling—it’s about saying ‘no more’ to endless new taxes, fees, and burdensome regulations that chip away at our freedoms.”
The permit requirement claims to address the spread of aquatic invasive species, yet there is no credible scientific evidence that kayaks, canoes, and stand-up paddleboards pose a meaningful risk. Instead, it functions as a money grab by the state, placing an unnecessary financial and administrative burden on law-abiding citizens who simply want to enjoy Oregon’s beautiful lakes and rivers. It targets a group of people that are outdoors enjoying their recreational time in a harmless fashion while paving the way for boaters from out of state to come to Oregon free of charge for their inspections and decontaminations.
Laws should be justified and have scientific backing rather than unfairly targeting groups of people. Without broad support from across the state, this cherished outdoor freedom could be lost forever. Future generations deserve to grow up knowing the liberty of launching a canoe or kayak without first paying the government for permission, Goodheart said.
It's time to take action. Your Signature Makes the Difference~! This small but important battle represents a larger fight against unchecked government expansion, Oregonian's have had enough.
Signatures must be gathered by the end of June to reach the ballot in November. We are receiving signatures by the hundreds, but we need them by the tens of thousands.
Upcoming Event:
• Float Protest This Saturday, June 13:
Float from Barton Park to Carver Park. Departure from Barton Park around 10:30 a.m. (a volunteer will depart a little upstream from Barton Park, but will be by Barton Park around 10:30 a.m.). The expected arrival at Carver Park is around 3:57 p.m. A volunteer will be on site at the end of the float collecting signatures.
Like our Facebook Page @LetUsPaddle to find signing locations and stay in the know.
If you cannot find a signing location near you, please download, print, sign, and mail the single-signature sheet available at www.letuspaddle.com.
Every signature counts, and unity across all communities is essential to send a clear message to the Oregon State Legislature: Oregonians will no longer tolerate taxation without justification or the erosion of our constitutional rights.
“Together we can restore liberty to our waterways,” added Goodheart. “If we don’t act now, this freedom—and many others—will be gone tomorrow. Stand with Let Us Paddle. Sign today and help protect the Oregon way of life for generations to come. Thank you for your support!”
About Let Us Paddle
Let Us Paddle is a grassroots citizen initiative dedicated to repealing unnecessary permit requirements on non-motorized watercraft, protecting constitutional freedoms, and opposing government overreach in Oregon’s outdoor recreation. For more information, the petition sheet, and event updates, visit www.letuspaddle.com.
Contact Info:
For further information, contact Kari Goodheart, Chief Petitioner, Let Us Paddle at 541-571-8405 or email letuspaddle@gmail.com.
5.30.26 KPTV NEWS - With 20,000 signatures and growing, Let Us Paddle PAC is pushing hard in the final weeks. Video HERE
5.29.26 - KEZI News - "Let Us Paddle" pushes to repeal Oregon's new paddling permit law.
5.28.26 - My Central Oregon - Group pushes to repeal Water Access Permit law
2.06.26 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Let Us Paddle Surpasses 10% Signature Mark, Expands Grassroots Outreach Across Oregon
Oregon — The Let Us Paddle campaign announced this week that it has officially surpassed the 10% mark of required signatures needed to qualify for the 2026 ballot, marking a major early milestone for the citizen-led initiative.
Driven entirely by grassroots volunteers and small-dollar donations, the campaign continues to gain traction as supporters sign petitions at community events, outdoor recreation gatherings, local businesses, and public access points throughout the state.
“This campaign is being powered by the people who actually use Oregon’s waterways,” organizers said. “Hitting the 10% mark shows this issue resonates across communities and regions.”
Let Us Paddle is continuing to register for new events statewide, adding signing locations and volunteer opportunities as momentum builds toward the July 2026 submission deadline. Organizers emphasize that the campaign’s strength lies in its independence from special interests and reliance on community-driven support.
1.14.26 - Draft LC 308 Restore Paddle Access Gets Support — Legislators sign on to roll back paddle permits.
Representative Dwayne Yunker introduced a legislative concept draft LC 308, co-sponsored by Rep. Ed Diehl, and with support from others including Rep. Shelly Boshart Davis, Rep. Alex Skarlatos, and Rep. Kevin Mannix. In a PRESS RELEASE issued by the Let Us Paddle PAC, co-chief petitioner Ben Roche said “This is how reform actually happens, Not by yelling from the shoreline, but by getting into committee, putting testimony on the record, and forcing lawmakers to hear directly from the people who use Oregon’s waterways.” We ask that you reach out to your elected representative, and request they sponsor this legislation, and demand the speaker of the house assign it to a committee and public hearing. The Let Us Paddle PAC, and volunteers remain committed to collecting the goal of 150,000 signatures by July 2nd to get a full repeal of paddle craft permitting in front of the voters this November.
The Let Us Paddle organization emphasizes that LC 308 should be viewed as a starting point — not the destination. We stand for upholding the Oregon Constitution, Article 1, Section 20. "...No law shall be passed granting to any citizen or class of citizens privileges, or immunities, which, upon the same terms, shall not equally belong to all citizens." and that no law should grant unequal privileges or immunities and the long-term goal remains a full repeal of water access permits for small, non-motorized paddlecraft and a return to free, fair, and proportional access to Oregon’s public waterways.
12.26.25 - New Bill to Restore Paddle Access Hits Salem — Thanks to Leadership from Rep. Dwayne Yunker
A legislative concept draft LC 308, has been introduced by Representative Dwayne Yunker and co-sponsored by Rep. Ed Diehl, that would return paddle liberty back to small human powered watercraft, exempting kayaks and paddleboards under 11' in length. Urge your representatives to support LC 308 in Oregon's short legislative session. We are not ending our petition drive, but thank you for going to battle for liberty in the legislature. Please thank and follow @RepYunker on X: https://x.com/RepYunker/status/2004012112071610453?s=20
10.29.25 - Approved to Circulate - We are approved to print and circulate our 10 line signature petition sheets. Volunteers will be provided printed sheets and instructions to resume gathering signatures. Any active registered voter in Oregon can sign, our goal is to get 150,000 signatures before the July 2nd 2026 deadline to get our measure onto the 2026 November ballot. Lets paddle this petition to the finish line!
10.6.25 - Certified Ballot Title Issued - Repeals ORS 830.624, which requires waterway access permits to operate certain nonmotorized boats and sailboats
10.3.25- Co-Chief Petitioner Ben Roche featured on the Lars Larson Northwest Radio Show - Update on our initiative petition, call to action, we need your support!
10.3.25 - Draft Ballot Title Issued - 100% Support Public Comment Period Closed - PRESS RELEASE
9.10.25 - The Secretary of State Department of Elections Update - PRESS RELEASE
September 9th, Let Us Paddle Scores Major Win – Ballot Title Now in the Works
8.25.25 - The signatures from the Citizen Initiative to Petition were turned in to the Secretary of State, with 198 sheets, with a total of 1826 signatures collected by 100% Volunteers across 16 different counties. The process to get our official petition begins, and we hope to have the official petition by early October.
8.10.25 - Statesman Journal VIDEO coverage of the Flotilla and Paddle Permit Repeal Protest. Find a 2 page spread in 8.10 Sunday Paper
8.9.25 - KEZI News Interviews Co-Chief Petitioner Ben Roche about the repeal of ORS 830.634 Oregon "Paddle Permits" , NOTE Isreal La Rue incorrectly stated that we were repealing HB 2982 passed in 2025, we are going beyond that, a full repeal of all permits for human powered watercraft, AKA Paddle Craft, by a full repeal of the statute that adds this additional permit scheme. A full Water Way Access Permit Repeal.
8.9.25 - KEZI News Coverage at the Foster Lake Flotilla - Paddle Permit Protest - Note they under-reported attendance.
8.8.25 - That Oregon Life reports on the push back by paddle enthusiasts to the new Paddle Taxes that begin Jan 1st, 2026
8.8.25 - Statesman Journal News Article by Zach Urness - Backlash to the new Boating Permits
8.5.25 - The new 'Hit Single' - Let Us Paddle - Is released on SoundCloud, YouTube, and Facebook - Listen now!
8.5.25 - Let Us Paddle begins accepting online donations! Click our DONATE button to contribute now to the Let Us Paddle PAC
8.4.25 - Chief Petitioner Ben Roche appearance on the Wake Up Call morning show, KPNW with Bill London & Gerry Snyder
8.4.25 - Chief Petitioner Ben Roche speaks with Jeff Kropf on Political Coffee KSLM Radio - Link to time stamp here.
7.31.25 - Oregon Secretary of State Approved our cover sheet & signature sheets.
7.31.25- Co-Chief Petitioner Ben Roche featured on the Lars Larson Northwest Radio Show
7.31.25 - Website www.letuspaddle.com goes LIVE!
7.30.25 - Oregon Secretary of State Accepted and issued our IP number 2026-053
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