News Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 4, 2002

MORE THAN $350,000 IN OHIO BOATING
SAFETY EDUCATION GRANTS AWARDED

COLUMBUS, OH - Thirty-one organizations across the state have been awarded a total of $356,961 by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) to promote safe boating programs this year.

The grants are awarded annually by the ODNR Division of Watercraft to help local boating organizations increase boating education and help younger boaters meet provisions of the mandatory education law that was enacted two years ago. Ohio law requires boaters born on or after January 1, 1982 to show successful completion of the state’s boater education program or other approved boater education course.

“Increased boater education is key to reducing boating accidents, while making Ohio’s waterways safer and more enjoyable,” said Jeff Hoedt, chief of the ODNR Division of Watercraft.

Last year, 30 organizations were awarded a total of $300,000 in boating safety education grants. The grant program is funded through the Ohio Waterways Safety Fund, which is comprised of watercraft registration and titling fees, a percentage of the state motor fuel tax, and funding from the U.S. Coast Guard.

Among the 38 grant applications submitted for this year, 31 were approved with individual grant awards ranging from a high of $27,844 to a low of $1,250.

EDITORS NOTE: A LIST OF GRANT RECIPIENTS IS BELOW

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For additional news online, check out the ODNR Press Room at www.ohiodnr.com

For Further Information Contact:
John Wisse, ODNR Division of Watercraft
(614) 265-6695
-or-
Andy Ware, ODNR Media Relations
(614) 265-6882