CLEVELAND, OH - Boating law administrators from 50 states are meeting this week in Cleveland, looking at Ohio as a model for their states' programs to make recreational boating safer, more accessible and more enjoyable. More than 230 members of the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) kicked off their 43rd annual conference on Sunday and will meet through September 11, hosted by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) and its Division of Watercraft.
Governor Bob Taft, in a videotaped greeting, welcomed the visitors to Ohio's North Coast. "Lake Erie and the other Great Lakes are among the world's premier recreational waterways," Taft said. "They are a showcase for outstanding interstate, interagency and international collaboration to address the many safety, economic, and environmental issues that are central to the work of our nation's boating law administrators."
ODNR Director Sam Speck recognized efforts by Ohio's Division of Watercraft in recent years to expand boating recreation in the state, while making the sport safer and more enjoyable for Ohios 3,500,000 recreational boaters. Among those achievements, Speck cited:
- For the first time in many years - and thanks to Governor Taft's initiative - assuring that boaters receive their fair share of the state's motor fuel tax. An increased portion of those revenues, approximately $6,000,000 each year, is now directed toward boating access improvements, boater/angler programs, watercraft safety education and law enforcement through the state Division of Watercraft and grants to local communities.
- A record number of arrests for drunken boating along with a record number of on-water patrol hours and boat safety inspections by state watercraft officers this year.
- A new on-line watercraft registration system on the Internet, through www.ohiodnr.com
- Customer-friendly improvements in the process for titling boats in Ohio, allowing boaters to title their watercraft in any Ohio county, regardless of where the boat was purchased.
Receipt of more than $263,000 in grant awards from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for upcoming coastal management projects along Lake Eries shoreline.
- Receipt of $1,800,000 in federal grants for construction of a marina and transient docking facilities on Middle Bass Island, site of Ohios newest state park.
- Coordination of more than 15,000 volunteer hours statewide to eliminate litter and keep Ohios waterways clean.
- Completion of the third year of Ohios mandatory boater education program and the first year of new enforcement of new boat motor noise restrictions.
- More vigorous enforcement of the Clean Vessel program and increased facilities to help boaters safely dispose of waste water, improving water quality in Ohio's lakes and streams.
NASBLA represents boating authorities in all 50 states and the U.S. territories. Its goal is to share information and innovative ideas to help develop model legislation for implementing uniform boating regulations. NASBLA also works to ensure safe boating, reduce boating accidents, and promoting recreational boating and boater education programs.
Ohios recreational boating generates an estimated economic impact of $1.4 billion on the states economy each year and helps support more than 19,500 jobs.
Last year, Ohio recorded a near record 417,204 registered watercraft ranking 8th nationally. Ohio's national high ranking in the number of registered boats comes despite the fact that Ohio has only half the warm-weather boating season enjoyed in many states.
Additional information on Ohios boating opportunities and programs can be obtained by visiting the ODNR Internet web page at ohiodnr.com .