| OSMB News |
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| Thursday, October 5, 2006 |
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Marine Board Receives State Boating Access Program Award
For Immediate Release
The Oregon State Marine Board was recently recognized at the annual SOBA (States Organization for Boating Access) conference with the organization’s State Boating Access Program Excellence Award. The Marine Board received the award for their success in obtaining federal Boating Infrastructure Grant (BIG) funds to build support facilities for non-trailerable boats, 26 feet and longer.
Each year, SOBA recognizes outstanding accomplishments by individuals and organizations nationwide, who promote boating and provide public access for recreational boaters. Since the inception of the BIG program in 2000, Oregon has obtained 12 competitive grants, vying with other states across the country for the funds authorized each year by Congress. Nearly $5 million in federal BIG grants have been authorized for projects in Oregon, for coastal areas, the Columbia River, and the Willamette River in Portland. Improvements include floating docks, restrooms, and other amenities accessible to boats on the water.
The Marine Board will use the BIG grant funds to improve a series of facilities, at key intervals, which can accommodate larger boats cruising Oregon ’s waterways.
The Boating Infrastructure Grant Program is administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Passage of the Sport Fishing and Boating Safety Act in 1998 ear-marked a portion of the Aquatic Resources Trust Fund, which is derived primarily from federal motorboat fuel taxes, to be used to build boating facilities that serve the needs of larger recreational boats.
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