The Oregon State Marine Board will be holding an open house on Monday, April 21 from 3 pm to 5 pm and 6 pm to 8 pm and invites recreational boaters to come to the agency’s office at 435 Commercial Street NE, in Salem. The agency Director, Scott Brewen will give an overview of the agency’s budget and business model as well as the documented trends in boating uses in Oregon. “The intent of this first meeting is to start a two-way dialog with registered recreational boaters that will continue through this year and into the 2015 legislative session. By 2015, it will have been 12 years since a fee increase, so it’s time to engage our customers and see what ideas they have to keep our existing service levels,” says Director Scott Brewen. “Our goal is to share information about our funding sources and perhaps discover other solutions or options from boaters. We’re at a point where we have to present the Oregon Legislature with budget concepts at a time when there are significant variables in the air. It’s important for boaters to understand where the revenues come from and how they are used to provide services to boaters.” Brewen adds. Free parking is available and this meeting is accessible to persons with disabilities. Persons needing some form of assistance to participate should contact June LeTarte at 503-378-2617 by Friday, April 18. The Marine Board is funded by registration fees and marine fuel taxes paid by boaters. No general fund tax dollars are used to support the agency or its programs. Boater-paid fees go back to boaters in the form of law enforcement services (on-the-water enforcement, training and equipment), education/outreach materials and boating access facilities.
