[OSMB-News] News Release -Marine Board Holding Strategic Planning Public Workshop November 15 in Medford

[Massey, Ashley]

For Immediate Release                                                                       Date: Friday, November 12, 2010

Marine Board Holding Strategic Planning Public Workshop November 15 in Medford

                The Oregon State Marine Board invites the boating public to participate in the agency's strategic planning process on November 15 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Jackson County Training Center, 7520 Table Rock Rd in Central Point.
                The Marine Board has always been interested in feedback from boaters, soliciting comments for planning facility upgrades (Boating Facilities 6-Year Plan), conducting triennial surveys of boaters, and biennial customer service surveys.  This is the first time the agency is inviting boaters to assist with developing a plan to guide the agency's future. "We truly are your recreational boating agency," says Scott Brewen, Director for the Marine Board.  "We're really encouraging boaters to get engaged in the conversation and tell us how they see the future of boating in Oregon."
The agency was designed specifically to facilitate public access to the waters in the state, to implement education to make boating safer, and to create a numbering system (registration) that accurately tracked and managed the number of motorized watercraft recreating on Oregon's waterways.  At the time, this was a forward-thinking effort at self-government and the only one of its kind in the nation.  The philosophy was simple, "User plays, user pays."  Between registration and titling fees, motorboat fuel tax dollars and boating-related federal grants, the Marine Board is funded entirely by registered boats (motorized and sail boats over 12 feet).  Revenue generated from registration and titling fees are turned back to the boaters in the form of marine patrols, boating facilities, and education/outreach efforts.  An average of 86% of every dollar is returned to boaters through programs and services.
                By design, the bulk of the actions taken by the Board have focused on registered boats. While registered boats peaked in 1999 and have now begun a slow decline, the popularity of manually powered boats has seen steady and strong growth. Canoes, kayaks, rafts, dragon boats and team rowing sports have increased dramatically. This healthy, low-impact activity is growing in all corners of the state, and especially in metropolitan areas with accessible waters.
                "The challenge the Marine Board faces is providing boating access, law enforcement, safety education and environmental protections that Oregon's motorized and non-motorized boaters are demanding," Brewen adds.  "How does the agency address the inevitable user conflict as different uses vie for the same waterway?   What are the key environmental issues of the day, and how should they be addressed?   Where are the biggest safety concerns and what are the appropriate actions for the agency to take? And how do we deliver on this with a declining base of registered boaters funding the agency?"
                The strategic planning process will be guided by Marine Board staff, but developed by boaters.  "The Marine Board is your recreational boating agency so this is your opportunity to have a say in how to serve you best," Brewen adds.
                For more information about public workshops, completing an online survey or participating in an online blog, visit www.boatoregon.com<http://www.boatoregon.com>.
###


Ashley A. Massey
Public Information Officer
Oregon State Marine Board
503-378-2623 (office)
503-302-1049 (mobile)
Ashley.massey at state.or.us<mailto:Ashley.massey at state.or.us>
www.boatoregon.com<http://www.boatoregon.com>
www.twitter/marineboard<http://www.twitter/marineboard>
We're also on Facebook!

-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <https://omls.oregon.gov/pipermail/osmb-news/attachments/20101112/0caea0e6/attachment.html>