For Immediate Release

Date: May 2, 2003

BIG Boating Projects Dedicated May 15

New aluminum gangways and broad, sturdy concrete floats will greet yachts and other large boats this spring at the cities of Rainier and St. Helens. The two major boating infrastructure projects are getting a few last-minute finishing touches in preparation for dedication ceremonies on Thursday, May 15.

Both projects provide important stop-overs for people cruising the Columbia River, providing access, and drawing them to, downtown restaurants, shops and other businesses.

"We look forward to providing a high-quality facility for the boating public and other persons who enjoy outdoor recreation activities," said St. Helens Mayor Randy Peterson. Improvements at the St. Helens facility will simplify mooring and use of the pumpouts.

The Rainier project opens new territory for boaters. "For the first time in many years Rainier is on the list as a cruise destination for yacht clubs," said Ron Rhodehamel, Facilities Program Manager for the Oregon State Marine Board. "Both of these projects will really benefit the cities and operators of large boats."

The projects began in August 2001 when Oregon State Marine Board, working cooperatively with Rainier and St. Helens, received large grants through the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service's Boating Infrastructure Grant (BIG) program. The projects include new transient tie-up facilities, sewage pumpouts, 12-foot wide floats and wheel-chair accessible aluminum gangways connecting the facilities to the communities.

The $418,000 Rainier project replaces a deteriorated facility that has been unusable for years. New 12-feet wide by 300-feet long concrete floats now greet boaters. The floats are tied to shore by a long aluminum, wheel-chair accessible gangway. In a separate project, the city also completed expansion of the adjacent marina by 12 additional berthing spaces. The $604,000 St. Helens project funded replacing aging wooden floats at the Courthouse docks with stable, efficient concrete floats. The new, wheel chair accessible aluminum gangway replaces the old steel gangway.

The projects were completed on time and on budget, according to Rhodehamel. "The timeline was very tight and required a lot of effort from everyone involved," he said.

The dedications are scheduled for 11 a.m. at Rainier at the City Marina landing, and at 2 p.m. at St. Helens Courthouse Docks.

The BIG program is administered through the USFWS and is funded by an excise tax on fishing equipment and by boaters' federal gasoline tax dollars. 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 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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