If you live on Devils Lake or spend time boating, fishing, or paddling its waters, there’s a good chance you’ve seen — or own — one of the many small docks or boathouses that line the shoreline. These are typically simple, private-use structures: often less than 1,000 square feet, used seasonally or year-round for personal recreation.

Now, the Oregon Department of State Lands (DSL) is proposing rule changes that could directly impact how these structures are registered, maintained, and renewed.

What’s Changing?

DSL is updating the rules (specifically Division 82) that govern Waterway Registration Authorizations for small, non-commercial structures like docks, floats, and boathouses. These updates are part of a broader effort to protect public waterways while making sure fees reflect the real cost of oversight and administration.

The most relevant changes for Devils Lake homeowners include:

🏠 Structures Under 1,000 Sq Ft (The Most Common on Devils Lake)

Most private docks and platforms on Devils Lake fall into this category. Under the proposed rules:

• They must be registered through a Waterway Registration Authorization.
  
• The application fee is set to increase from $250 to $400.
  
• Registrations will still need to be renewed every 5 years.
  
• No annual lease payments are required.
  
  

These structures are typically low-impact, personal-use setups — not floating homes, not marinas, and not commercial operations. The proposed fee increase reflects the administrative time DSL spends reviewing and tracking registrations.

📄 You can view the full fee proposal and explanation here (PDF)

Why It Matters for Devils Lake

Devils Lake is unique — shallow, heavily used, and lined with both full-time residences and vacation homes. The cumulative impact of even small structures matters. At the same time, many lakeshore residents are simply trying to maintain their little slice of access to the water — for launching a kayak, tying up a fishing boat, or sitting at the end of a dock with a cup of coffee.

The proposed rules try to strike a balance between protecting the waterway and making sure owners can continue to enjoy it. But your input could help fine-tune that balance.

🗣️ Public Comment Period — Now Through August 15, 2025

This is your chance to speak up. DSL is actively asking for feedback from people who live and recreate on Oregon’s waterways — and that includes Devils Lake.

You can submit your comments in three easy ways:

• 💻 Online form: Submit here
  
  
• 📧 Email: [email protected]
  
  
• 📬 Mail:
  Rules Coordinator
  Department of State Lands
  775 Summer St. NE, Suite 100
  Salem, OR 97301
  
  

You can also attend one of the public hearings, held both virtually and in-person around the state. Dates and details are posted on DSL’s rulemaking webpage.

Final Thought

Whether you're concerned about rising fees, red tape, or protecting the lake for the next generation, now's the time to make your voice heard. Even the smallest docks deserve smart policy — and the folks who own them deserve a seat at the table.