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State Trying to Rid the Willamette of Transient Boaters
Officials issued trespass notices to so-called "Pirate" ships.

State officials were on the Willamette River Wednesday, issuing trespass notices about ten boaters.
These so-called "pirate" ships have people living aboard them without permits, causing problems on a couple levels including safety and the environment.
The river is a state-owned waterway, which brings it under the jurisdiction of the state's Department of Public Lands, which issued the trespass notices.
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Few of the ships have proper sanitation and dump sewage into the river. Many are not properly maintained and sometimes sink.
Last year, the state spent $53,000 removing 22 boats from the river.
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The trespass notices give boaters a few options including asking for a hearing, surrendering their ship, and moving to another location.
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