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| State Land Board gives 2005 Lessee of the Year Award to Port of Siuslaw | ||
| 04/11/2006 | ||
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More information: Julie Curtis - 503-378-3805, ext. 298 06-10 Tom Kartrude - 541-997-3426 The State Land Board today recognized the Port of Siuslaw as the 2005 Lessee of the Year. The award was presented at the board’s public meeting in Salem. In his remarks, Governor Ted Kulongoski, Land Board chair, recognized the port for their partnership with the Department of State Lands (DSL) during 2005, and their good working relationship with the agency. The port leases state submerged lands on the Siuslaw River primarily for commercial and recreational moorage, and commercial development purposes. The Port of Siuslaw was established by public election in May of 1909, and was the first coastal port organized after the Oregon Legislature passed ORS.777 regulating public ports. Last year, the port removed three abandoned and hazardous vessels from the Port of Siuslaw marina – at their expense – which stemmed the continued threat of oil pollution and other hazards posed by the vessels. In addition, the port was a key partner with DSL in helping launch the program to bring unregistered docks in the Siuslaw River into compliance with state law. Funds from these registrations are deposited into the Common School Fund, which benefits schoolchildren in all of Oregon’s 198 public school districts. The Port of Siuslaw has a recognized record of public safety outreach and economic development success on state-owned lands, most notably along the Old Town Wharf in Florence. Both Mo’s Restaurant and International C-Food Market are located on leased state land. According to Port Manager Tom Kartrude, the revitalization of this historic district is directly related to the port’s ability to lease and develop state lands, which benefits both local residents and visitors to the area. “It’s clear the port and their staff have a strong commitment to the stewardship of Oregon’s coastal waterways, and to enhancing economic development on the state lands they manage in their district,” said the Governor. Port Commission President John Scott, Port Commissioner John Buchanan and Port Manager Tom Kartrude accepted the award at the meeting. The State Land Board Awards were created in 2003 to promote and recognize responsible, sustainable stewardship of natural resources. To be eligible, stream and wetland projects must have received a Removal-Fill Permit from the Oregon Department of State Lands and must meet or exceed all permit conditions. The State Land Board consists of Governor Theodore Kulongoski, Secretary of State Bill Bradbury and State Treasurer Randall Edwards. The Department of State Lands administers diverse natural and fiscal resources. Many of the resources generate revenue for the Common School Fund, such as state-owned rangelands and timberlands, waterway leases, estates for which no will or heirs exist, and unclaimed property. Twice a year, the agency distributes fund investment earnings to support K-12 public schools. The agency also administers Oregon’s Removal-Fill Law, which requires people removing or filling certain amounts of material in waters of the state to obtain a permit. ####
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