For Immediate Release

Date: June 13, 2003

Marine Board Meets in Newport June 25

The Oregon State Marine Board will meet Wednesday, June 25, to consider 54 funding requests seeking nearly $8 million for boating access projects. The meeting will be held in Newport. The Board will consider other business during the meeting, including a request for a temporary slow-no-wake rule on the Rogue River in Grants Pass and staff reports.

Funding for boating access projects is significantly higher this biennium thanks in part to funds available through the federal U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service's Sport Fish Restoration Program, which is administered locally by the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife. The Marine Board will grant up to $2 million for projects and will provide at least the necessary 25 percent minimum match for an additional $1.9 million in Sport Fish Restoration funds. Combined with additional funds from project sponsors and other sources, the total cash value of projects awarded grants will be an estimated $7 million.

Requested projects are scattered throughout the state and include such items as improved or expanded boat ramps, new floats, parking improvements and restrooms. Projects that are not funded in this round will be deferred until later in the 2003-05 biennium.

Other items on the agenda are as follows:

• Director's Report: Legislative actions, budget, registration and other agency matters.
• Consideration of Rulemaking: Temporary rule for slow no-wake zone on Rogue River in Grants Pass at River Mile 100.9.
• Education/Information Program report: Informational report.
• Law Enforcement Program report: Informational report.
• Facility Program Report: Consideration of facility grant requests.

The Marine Board is Oregon's recreational boating agency charged with providing registration and titling, marine law enforcement and facilities development for Oregon's recreational boaters. The Marine Board uses boat registration and title fees, as well as motorboat fuel tax revenues, to build and maintain boating access facilities across the state.

The meeting will begin promptly at 8:30 a.m. at the Best Western Agate Beach Inn, 3019 N. Coast Hwy. The meeting facility is accessible for persons with disabilities. Persons needing some form of assistance to participate in this meeting due to a disability should contact Jill Andrick at (503) 373-1405, ext. 243, by Monday, June 23. Persons wishing to address the Board on non-agenda items may do so during a designated period at the start of the meeting.

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