ODFW Commission Votes To Ban Alcohol At Sauvie Island Wildlife Area

SALEM, Ore.—After hearing strong support from area residents, law enforcement and emergency responders who have been dealing with alcohol-related problems, the Fish and Wildlife Commission voted unanimously to ban alcohol at Sauvie Island Wildlife Area (SIWA) from May 1-Sept. 30 annually during its meeting in Salem today. The ban will begin this year on May 1, 2018.

Over the past several years, Oregon State Police has documented an increase in alcohol-related problems at SIWA beaches, despite increased law enforcement, including saturation patrols. Last year, 17 individuals were arrested for DUII as they travelled away from Sauvie Island beaches, and 36 percent of all DUII arrests in Columbia County by OSP troopers between April 1 and Aug. 3 were those travelling from SIWA beaches.

    Wildlife area management and OSP believe that an alcohol ban during the summer months will significantly reduce alcohol-related problems, plus need for additional law enforcement and emergency medical personnel. ODFW and law enforcement personnel will continue to monitor parking and other issues in this heavily visited area, which receives approximately 488,465 visitors from May-September and sometimes more than 16,000 people daily during hot summer days.