Commission adopts limited-entry parking at Sauvie Island Wildlife Area beaches on summer weekends and holidays

LINCOLN CITY, Ore.—The Commission adopted a limited entry parking program for summer weekends and holidays at Sauvie Island's Beaches to address public safety issues and protect wildlife area habitat.

Commissioners first heard from staff and OSP how high visitation to beaches in summer has created significant safety concerns and wildlife impacts. "The public safety aspect cannot be overstated," said Oregon State Police's Lt. Tim Schwartz.

Vehicles outnumber parking spaces by a large margin on hot summer weekends, leading to traffic jams and preventing emergency vehicles from providing timely emergency response.

Under the new program, from June 15-Labor Day, vehicles will need to have a "Sauvie Island Beaches Parking Permit" ($10 daily) to park at Walton, Collins, and North Unit beaches on weekends and holidays. The traditional Wildlife Area Parking Permit will not be valid in these parking areas but can be used at other locations on the wildlife area (Willow Bar, Gilbert River boat ramp, Warrior Rock) and on summer weekdays.

"Sauvie Island is first and foremost a wildlife area supporting migratory birds, fish, mammals, and other species. Managing the volume of vehicles and visitors is essential to protecting these resources," said Steve Niemela, ODFW North Willamette Watershed Manager.

Last summer's pilot limited entry parking program showed that even on the busiest days, visitors who planned ahead were consistently able to get a permit and were able to find parking more easily once they arrived. The program does not limit visitors, it only limits the number of vehicles to keep Reeder Road open to emergency access and prevent the gridlock seen in past summers.

"ODFW's goal is to manage summer congestion to protect public safety and wildlife habitat while keeping the island open for beach goers, wildlife watchers, anglers and all other users," said Niemela.

ODFW will announce when passes are available for purchase. A limited number of seasonal passes will be available ($30 and allowing parking every weekend and holiday June 15-Labor Day) but most capacity will be reserved for daily pass holders.

In other business, the Commission:

Voted 6-1 to adopt 2026-27 Game Bird Hunting Regulations: Most seasons and regulations are unchanged from last year except for calendar shifts, with the following exceptions: The Western and Eastern Oregon duck hunting zones will open on different weekends rather than the same weekend. The statewide white-fronted goose daily bag limit is reduced from 10 to 6 in accordance with the Pacific Flyway Council's white-fronted goose management plan. The September Canada goose season in the Northwest Permit Zone is reduced to nine days (opening on traditional date of the Saturday after Labor Day until federal framework ending date of Sept. 20). Printed copies of the regulations will be available in late June.

Adopted 2026 Sport and Commercial Pacific Halibut Fishery Regulations: To see a summary of the recreational season visit this map. The International Pacific Halibut Commission set this year's fishery catch limit slightly higher than last year. Changes to the federal catch sharing plan for 2026 also provide management flexibility to harvest more of the quota and improve opportunity this year.

Adopted ocean salmon seasons: The Pacific Fishery Management Council (PFMC) adopted ocean salmon fishing regulations for federal-jurisdiction waters from three to 200 nautical offshore on April 12. The Commission adopted matching regulations in state waters. See a summary of seasons online.

Voted 6-1 to approve sale of Don Lindly property on Alsea River: The property will be sold to Lincoln City which will continue to provide public access and maintain it as a park. ODFW originally purchased the Don Lindly property with federal grant funds for the purpose of installing a motorized public boat ramp. While the boat ramp project initially had support, local public opinion has shifted and the county opted not to build a motorized boat ramp. Federal grant funds will be returned.

Approved Private Forest Accord (PFA) grant funding: The grant projects were recommended by the PFA Grant Program Advisory Committee and will provide conservation benefits for species covered by the anticipated PFA Habitat Conservation Plan.

Photos and video of parking problems at Sauvie Island Wildlife Area

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