Scenic Rivers Program Moves to Watercraft

Management of the state’s Scenic Rivers Program has been transferred to the Division of Watercraft from ODNR’s Division of Natural Areas and Preserves in accordance with provisions of the biennial state budget approved by state lawmakers  in July. The internal program transfer within ODNR culminates more than a year of coordinated efforts led by ODNR Director Sean Logan so that the program may continue to be enjoyed by Ohioans.

The transfer approval also represents a significant change in the overall mission of the Division of Watercraft, which next year celebrates its 50th anniversary year in serving Ohio boaters. When the Division became officially established within ODNR in January 1960, its primary mission was the titling and registration of watercraft. In the years since, the Division has taken on added duties to construct and maintain boating access facilities, dredge and maintain small boat harbors, hire and train officers to enforce state boating rules, provide boating safety education programs, conduct flood emergency operations and participate in Homeland Security projects.

Ohio’s Scenic Rivers Program includes special designation of 20 segments of 14 Ohio rivers along with approximately 4,000 acres of land holdings that consist of protected corridors and access sites. A segment of the Ashtabula River in northeast Ohio became the latest addition to the Scenic Rivers Program in October 2008. Additionally, the program is supported in part through sales of two specialty motor vehicle license plates.

Transfer of the Scenic Rivers Program allows the Division of Watercraft to address increased levels of interest in river use by the paddling community. The number of registered canoes and kayaks, which includes those included in commercial livery registrations, increased from 60,065 in 2003 to 80,640 in 2008, or 34 percent. Nearly 1 of every 5 registered Ohio watercraft (19.3 percent) is a canoe or kayak. Many paddlers have been for years enjoying Ohio’s scenic rivers, water trails and other inland waterways.

“This program transfer can enhance our Ohio Water Trails system and gives us the opportunity to better serve a growing number of boaters and improve boating access on our rivers,” said Pamela Dillon, chief of the Division of Watercraft.

Water trails provide safe, user friendly, healthy, “green” and environmentally friendly recreation while also providing communities an opportunity for economic growth through eco-tourism. The Scenic Rivers Program by comparison has a long history of river protection and preservation through local input and community involvement. Retaining established forested corridors along waterways reduces erosion, runoff and sedimentation.

Look for more information on the Ohio Scenic Rivers Program in future issues of Buckeye Boater.