For Immediate Release

Date: April 2, 2003

Youth Conservation Corps Funding Assists Boaters

It's a partnership that has paid dividends for Oregon's boaters, for at-risk youth working for the Oregon Youth Conservation Corps, and for parks programs with limited budgets looking to improve local facilities.

"Since 1989 we have awarded more than $850,000 to OYCC for boating facility improvements," said Ron Rhodehamel, facilities program manager for the Marine Board. "They have cleaned and painted restrooms, striped parking lots, built and installed floats, cleaned up boating access areas - any number of maintenance and improvement projects that benefit boaters. These young people learn valuable job skills while contributing to their communities, and boaters reap the rewards of improved facilities. It's been a win-win for all organizations involved."

On Monday, March 31, the board approved another $54,061 for projects planned for this summer. The funds will help employ 83 youths during the summer. Aside from the benefits to boaters and the local community, most projects include a water safety component taught by local marine patrols and some environmental education by local biologists. OYCC chapters team with county or city jurisdictions to further leverage funds for a larger benefit to the local community.

The Marine Board approved grants for the following projects:

• Deschutes County: OYCC crews will construct five wood boarding floats and concrete abutment at Cultus Lake boat ramp. Grant is $9,250.
• Lane County: Youth will repair floats, paint restrooms and stripe parking lots at Baker Bay, Hendricks Bridge, Mapleton Landing, Mercer Landing, Munsel Lake and Westlake Landing on Lane County waterbodies. Grant is $10,829.
• Wallowa County: Youth at Wallowa Lake will construct a waste receptacle shelter and replace vandalized barbecue pits at the county ramp. In addition, they will repair flood damaged floats, plant the parking islands and remove additional flood debris from the flash flood and mudslide that occurred in 2002 near the state park ramp. The project is part of a larger collaborative effort involving more than 10 partners. Grant is $5,000.
• Josephine County: Youth will work at ten boating facilities along the Rogue River, striping boat trailer parking areas and rebuilding pedestrian access to ramp, restroom and parking areas. Facilities include Pierce Riffle, Chinook, Schroeder, Lathrop, Whitehorse, Ferry Hole, Griffin, Robertson Bridge, Hog Creek, and Indian Mary boating facilities. Grant is for $6,000.
• Clackamas County: Grant is for an OYCC partnership with City of West Linn. Youth will repair docks at Willamette Park and Cedar Oak ramps, and will help remove invasive plants along the ramps, floats and parking areas. Grant is for $8,346.
• Columbia County: Youth crews will repair, sand and paint picnic tables, improve trails, repair floats and remove invasive plants. Work will be done at JJ Collins East and West Marine Parks, Gilbert River Transient, Gilbert River ramp and Scappoose Bay Marina. Grant is for $11,111.
• Marion, Polk & Yamhill counties: A grant of $3000 will be used in the stewardship program that includes litter removal, trail maintenance and invasive species removal along the Willamette River between Wallace Marine Park in Salem and San Salvador ramp near St. Paul.

###