OHIO OUTDOORS $2.5M in grants for boating

The grant funds came from registration fees and a motor fuel tax.
COLUMBUS -- Governor Bob Taft and the Ohio Department of Natural Resources recently announced nearly $2,500,000 in grants to improve boating access at 26 sites across Ohio.
The grants will provide funding assistance to local communities and agencies to improve existing boating facilities and for the construction of new boating access ramps.
& quot;Boating is a popular pastime for Ohio families. These grants help address that demand by expanding boating opportunities and offering safer, more convenient access to Ohio's waterways, & quot; Taft said.
The grants are funded through the Ohio Waterways Safety Fund, comprised of boat registration fees and a portion of the state motor fuel tax.
Projects: Funded projects include replacement/repair of existing facilities, dredging projects to address low water issues on Lake Erie and the construction of new boating facilities.
Projects were competitively judged by ODNR's Division of Watercraft to determine funding priority. Interested communities may apply to the division by April 1, 2002 for a new round of grants to be awarded next summer.
For further information on cooperative boating facility grants, or to receive a grant application, write the ODNR Division of Watercraft at 4435 Fountain Square Drive, Columbus, Ohio 43224 or visit the ODNR web site at www.dnr.state.oh.us