Oklahoma boating access projects at all time high (7/27/06)

            Anglers and boaters in Oklahoma have plenty of great destinations to choose from, and thanks to an ongoing Wildlife Department program, gaining access to the water is getting even easier.  According to officials with the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation, (ODWC) there are 14 boat ramp construction or repair projects underway across the state, with another 19 slated to begin in 2007.

            "Over recent months, we've seen many of our lakes with very low water levels, but this has actually been a great opportunity for us in terms of getting boating access projects completed," said John Stafford, ODWC federal aid coordinator. "Particularly over the past decade, we have been very successful in improving boating and fishing access across Oklahoma. In that time period we have completed literally dozens of projects such as boat ramps, parking areas, courtesy docks, and fish cleaning stations - but we certainly couldn't have built all of these amenities without our partnering cities and other groups.”

            Through the federal Sport Fish Restoration program, cities and other governmental agencies can apply for matching grants to construct boat ramps and other access projects. Enacted in 1950, the Sport Fish Restoration Act established special federal taxes, called excise taxes on fishing rods, reels and tackle. Anglers ultimately pay these taxes through their equipment purchases. Funds raised directly benefit fisheries management including fish stocking, habitat management, fisheries research, aquatic education programs and boating and fishing access projects.

            In 1984, funding within the Sport Fish Restoration Program was significantly bolstered by the addition of excise taxes on motor boat fuels. And according to Stafford, anglers and boaters are often unaware that their purchases are being used to improve lakes for fishing and boating.

            "When we construct a boat ramp, we always put up a sign that explains that anglers and boaters funded the construction of the ramp, but lots of folks still don't understand how that really works," said Stafford. "Every time you buy that new lure or fishing rod or purchase fuel at the marina, a percentage of your purchase price is being funneled back to the Wildlife Department to fund not only boat ramps but also a wide variety of other conservation projects. Next time you see one of the Sport Fish Restoration signs at the boat ramp, you should know that without their dollars, many of those boat ramps would have been too costly for a municipal government to build.”

Current boating access projects are ongoing at the following locations.

Perry Lake- near Perry
Lake Carl Blackwell- near Stillwater
Oklahoma River- in Oklahoma City
Guthrie Lake- in Guthrie
Crowder Lake- near Crowder
Lake Lawtonka- near Lawton
Frederick Lake- in Frederick
Skiatook Lake- near Skiatook

Three forks Harbor (two projects) - near Muskogee on the Arkansas River Navigation System
Tenkiller- at Caney Creek, Burnt Cabin, and Cherokee Landing State Park
Deep Fork River- near Dewar

For more information about fishing in Oklahoma log on to wildlifedepartment.com or pick up a copy of the "2006 Oklahoma Fishing Guide."

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