How Does Ohio Spend Its RBS Dollars?
In 2008, ODNR Division of Watercraft received approximately $4.5 million in Recreational Boating Safety (RBS) federal assistance program monies in support of statewide law enforcement, safety patrols, and boating education efforts. RBS monies also are used for registration and titling activities and some administrative functions. Federal dollars from the Sport Fish Restoration and Boating Trust Fund enable the Division to provide support for a variety of community-based grant programs that include capital improvement projects, marine patrols, education programs, and navigation signage.
Ohio is the only state to use a portion of its RBS monies in support of community-based boater safety education programs. In December 2008 Watercraft announced it had awarded $365,419 to support 34 community boating safety education and boating skills programs. The individual grant awards ranged from a low of $1,018.50 to a high of $28,666.51 for programs that largely target Ohio’s youth.
 Watercraft uses RBS monies also to provide grant funding that supports community-based law enforcement and capital improvement programs. Approximately $3.6 million is spent on boating access project grants each year. In 2008, Watercraft awarded $564,000 to 28 local marine patrol units in support of waterways law enforcement and $47,725 to 12 local recipients for navigation signage.
Other unique programs that utilize RBS monies in Ohio:
- Wear It Ohio – This life jacket awareness campaign is designed to provide direct contacts between a land-based marketing promotions team and Ohio boaters at four designated inland lakes to encourage the wearing of life jackets while boating. A key component of this program, which is modeled after similar campaigns in California and Texas, is a life jacket loaner program. RBS monies are used to purchase two styles of inflatable life vests for distribution to Ohio boaters who agree to wear the jacket at all times when boating. The loaner program outlines the provisions in a boater pledge card that participants must sign in order to receive the loaned life jacket. The campaign also includes use of a prize wheel in which various Wear It! promotional items are given away when a person spins the prize wheel and correctly answers a boating safety education question. The campaign includes strategic placement of signage ("Wear It" and "Life Jacket Zone") at designated boat launches at the campaign target lakes.
 Kayak Pond – In 2008, RBS monies supported a new interactive demonstration exhibit known as the Kayak Pond at the Ohio State Fair. The approximate 30-minute paddling experience included a brief introduction to boating safety basics and a primer on the different types and styles of life jackets. The outdoor classroom session included an on-the-water paddling excursion around a constructed kayak pond under staff supervision. Staff provided fundamental, hands-on instruction in the water. The program is designed primarily for children; registration by a parent or guardian participationis required. The entire program was deemed by state fair officials to be one of the most popular new attractions at the 2008 Ohio State Fair and drew an average daily participation of 295 young paddlers. Construction on a larger, more permanent kayak pond for the 2009 Ohio State Fair began in March.- Water Trails – The Ohio Water Trails Program began in 2006 with the first of four currently designated inland rivers. The Ohio Water Trails planning team works with local community partners to promote the awareness of public boating access by developing designated water trails on Ohio waterways. The program objectives also serve to help grow boating participation in Ohio, promote safe boating recreation on state waterways, and increase awareness of the state’s diverse recreational boating opportunities.
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