For Immediate Release

Date: Jan. 13, 2005

Marine Board Approves Facilities Projects

The Oregon State Marine Board approved $531,000 in grants for boating access improvements across Oregon during its regular meeting on Wednesday, January 12, in Portland. Among other business, the board also approved a regulation permanently restricting boating in a portion of North Portland Harbor to avoid disturbing contaminated sediments adjacent to the Rhodia plant site just west of the Burlington Northern Railroad Bridge.

The Marine Board is Oregon's recreational boating agency. It uses boating fees and motorboat fuel taxes to fund marine law enforcement and boating facilities development. The agency doesn't own or operate any facilities; instead it provides grants in aid and engineering services to local governments.

Facilities Improvement Projects

- The board approved a $198,000 grant to Coos County for parking redesign and overlay at Tenmile Lake. The estimated total project cost is $217,000, with Coos County contributing $19,000. The parking layout will also be redesigned and striped to make parking more efficient.

- The board voted to fund a request for $128,000 from the City of Lebanon for parking improvements at Gill's Landing. These improvements will expand parking for boat trailers and pave the existing parking lot.

- The board approved a $160,000 grant to Klamath County for paved access roads and parking at Petric Park and Henzel Park as well as a vault toilet at Wocus Bay. The estimated total project cost is $162,000, with Klamath County contributing $2,000. With these improvements Petric Park and Henzel Park's existing gravel roads and parking lots will be paved and the vault toilet at Wocus Bay will be replaced with a new toilet that meets ADA requirements.

- The board voted to fund a request for $45,000 from Tillamook County for multiple projects. Projects include gravel parking at six launch sites, renovations of vault toilets at Memaloose Point and Nehalem Bay and flush toilet renovation at the Pacific City ramp. The estimated total project cost is $56,225, with Tillamook County pledging $12,556.

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