For Immediate Release

Date: Thursday, May 29, 2003

Arlington Prepares to Welcome BIG Boats

The boating access project to make the Port of Arlington "BIG Boat" friendly is now complete, and the dedication ceremony is scheduled for June 5 at 1 p.m.

"This project will provide a stronger link between the community of Arlington and the large recreational boats enjoying the Columbia River," said Ron Rhodehamel, Facilities Program Manager for the Oregon State Marine Board. "The project welcomes large boats by providing safe haven and improved tie-ups."

Port Commission President Richard Rende agreed: "This is a great benefit for boaters and for the community. This was a great cooperative effort that serves the boaters and benefits the community." A new RV park adjacent to the marina will be dedicated following the ceremony.

The project provides wave protection and expands the transient tie-up adjacent to the marina on the Columbia River. The Marine Board, working with the Port, applied for and received $140,625 from the Boating Infrastructure Grant (BIG) Program. The Marine Board applied matching funds to the Port's $5,500 to pay the full $208,000 cost of the project. Federal Clean Vessel Act (CVA) funds were also tapped to replace the worn pumpout/dump station and locate it for better access by larger boats.

This is the third Tier Two (larger scale) BIG Program project to be completed in the country. "And all three have been in Oregon and along the Columbia River," said Rhodehamel. "Projects in Rainier and St. Helens were dedicated May 15. Not only do these projects benefit boaters and the communities, but they will help us serve boaters retracing the route of Lewis & Clark during the upcoming bicentennial observance."

The Rainier project replaces a condemned facility with new concrete floats and wheel-chair accessible, aluminum gangways. The City of St. Helens project replaced aging wooden floats with new concrete floats and an aluminum gangway. Both projects used CVA funds to replace and/or relocate pumpout/dump stations. In all, Oregon received six of the 20 BIG Program grants awarded nationwide in August 2001. The remaining three projects are scheduled for completion next winter.

The dedication for the Port of Arlington facility will be held at 1 p.m. at the marina in Arlington. All people who have participated in the project or are otherwise interested are invited to attend.

The Port also plans to dedicate the new RV park, adjacent to the Marina, at 1:15 p.m. following the transient tie-up ceremonies. The RV park has been completely reconstructed and improved. Funding was obtained through a grant from the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department. "With the improvements at our marina and our RV park, we can now boast a top-notch facility here in Arlington," said Rende. "These facilities will serve visitors very well for many years to come."

The BIG program is administered through the USFWS as authorized by the Sportfishing and Boating Partnership Act of 1998. It is funded by an excise tax on motorboat fuel. The program was created by Congress to provide funds to states to build, renovate and maintain tie-up facilities designed for recreational vessels 26 feet or longer. The program also seeks to enhance access to recreational, historic, cultural, natural and scenic resources; strengthen local ties to the boating community and its economic benefits; promote public/private partnerships and entrepreneurial opportunities; provide continuity of public access to the shore; and promote awareness of transient boating opportunities.

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