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Dec
18
Written by:
news editor
Friday, December 18, 2009
12/18/09 ODNR Division of Watercraft and the village of Tuscarawas are among recipients of the Boat U.S. Recreational Boating Access Awards for 2009.
Tuscarawas Among Five Communities Honored by Boat U.S.
COLUMBUS, OHIO – The Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Watercraft and the village of Tuscarawas are among recipients of the Boat U.S. Recreational Boating Access Awards for 2009. The ODNR Division of Watercraft is one of the few state-level boating agencies that is significantly involved with boating access issues, helping local communities with funding, planning and other resources.
Boat Owners Association of the United States (Boat U.S.) created the awards program in 2007 to highlight successes in protecting water access as boaters and communities were losing marina slips, service yards and boat launching areas. This year's winning projects - in Ohio, Oregon and Florida, - offer a range of innovative solutions for communities struggling to keep their waterfronts open to boaters, anglers, and citizens.
Using two Division of Watercraft Cooperative Boating Facility Program grants in 2003 and 2007, the village of Tuscarawas in northeast Ohio was able to build a new boat launch ramp on the Tuscarawas River which was formerly only available to paddle sports enthusiasts. The ingenious new ramp incorporates two pre-fabricated concrete and wire mats that were simply lifted into place on top of a bed of gravel on the river bottom. This construction method was faster, easier and less expensive, eliminating the need for erecting expensive cofferdams and poured concrete, and was also easier on the environment. Boater access to the river is now possible year round no matter where the varying seasonal water level may be, and ramp erosion from river currents as well as boaters' powerloading maneuvers has been solved. A gravel parking lot, lighting and floating boarding docks completed the project.
Another Ohio project, which is not connected to a Division of Watercraft program, was also honored by BoatU.S. The North Perry Village and its council and mayor were also the recipients of a 2009 BoatU.S. Access Award. In 2001, the Lake County Coastal Plan Committee embarked on an ambitious agenda which included recognizing the need for public boating access improvements. Working with the council and mayor of the village, the committee redeveloped a run-down, unprotected, single launch ramp on Lake Erie into a full fledged harbor with a safe, three-lane launch ramp with docks, fishing facilities, swimming beach, walking trails and park for the community. The new access point's 16 transient slips will contribute to the long-term economic development of the village and surrounding communities.
For information on the annual awards as well as a look at the projects and winners including photos and video, visit www.BoatUS.com/gov/AccessAward.
The Ohio Department of Natural Resources ensures a balance between wise use and protection of our natural resources for the benefit of all. Visit the ODNR website at www.ohiodnr.com.
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(Editor’s Note: Photo available at http://www.boatus.com/pressroom/previewImg/459.jpg)
For more information, contact
Phil Miller, ODNR Division of Watercraft
614. 265. 6497
or
D. Scott Croft, BoatUS
703. 461. 2864 or SCroft@BoatUS.com
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