Scenic Rivers Transfer
The state’s biennial budget (signed by Governor Strickland on July 10, 2010) included provisions for transferring Ohio’s Scenic Rivers Program within ODNR from the Division of Natural Areas and Preserves to the Division of Watercraft. The program, including its license plate and stream quality monitoring segments, will remain under ODNR’s control but are to be administered by the Division of Watercraft.
 The Scenic Rivers Program aligns very well with the Division of Watercraft’s mission to provide quality and safe boating experiences for all types of users. The primary users of State Scenic Rivers are kayakers and canoeists, who represent the fastest growing group of boaters in Ohio. The transfer also allows the Scenic Rivers Program to continue despite a steady decline in state general tax revenue.
“This is a responsible decision to ensure the state's most pristine river areas remain accessible and of the high water quality that our growing paddling community expects and deserves,” says Pamela Dillon, chief of the Division of Watercraft. “Our expenditures during the next two fiscal years in support of the Scenic Rivers program will amount to less than 3% of our total annual expenditures -- on a program that directly will benefit almost 20% of all our registered watercraft.”
The number of Ohio-registered canoes and kayaks increased 50% from 54,868 in 2004 to 82,670 in 2009. The number of boats included in commercial livery registrations (mostly canoes and kayaks) increased from 5,123 in 2004 to 5,894 in 2009. |