News Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 11, 2003

OHIO'S REDESIGNED SCENIC RIVERS LICENSE PLATE NOW AVAILABLE
Plate offers anglers and other outdoor enthusiasts a chance to boost waterway protection

COLUMBUS, OH -- The newly redesigned Scenic Rivers license plate, featuring the image of a leaping sport fish, is now on sale through the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV), according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR). Sales of the new plate benefit the Ohio Scenic Rivers Protection Fund.

ODNR unveiled the license plate's new look in November. It reflects the abundance of fish and other aquatic species in Ohio's 20 scenic river segments and allows anglers and outdoor enthusiasts an opportunity to help protect these valuable natural resources.

A set of these colorful Scenic Rivers plates costs an additional $25 above regular vehicle registration fees at the time of purchase and with each annual renewal. The Ohio Scenic Rivers Protection Fund receives $15 from each purchase or renewal. Administered by ODNR, the fund helps protect and restore scenic river forest corridors, improve water quality and river habitat for endangered species, facilitate river clean-ups and dam removal, implement the Scenic Rivers Stream Quality Monitoring Project and promote river conservation and education.

Since the creation of Ohio’s scenic rivers license plate in 1995, more than 77,000 plates have been sold, generating $1,200,000 for the Scenic Rivers Protection Fund. The original Scenic Rivers license plate design featured the image of a blue heron soaring above an Ohio stream and is still displayed on thousands of vehicles around the state.

As with other Ohio license plates, the Scenic Rivers plates may be personalized, at additional cost, with reserved or “vanity” letter/number combinations. Further information is available by calling the BMV toll-free hotline at 1-800-589-TAGS.

ODNR has officially designated scenic river segments in more than 29 Ohio counties. Included are portions of the Big and Little Darby Creeks, Chagrin River, Upper Cuyahoga River, Grand River, Kokosing River, Little Beaver Creek, Little Miami River, Maumee River, Olentangy River, Sandusky River and the Stillwater River/Greenville Creek system.

Portions of the Big and Little Darby Creeks, Little Miami River and Little Beaver Creek have also been designated as National Scenic Rivers.

EDITORS NOTE: A photograph of the redesigned Scenic Rivers license plate is available on the Internet at ohiodnr.com/communications