Access champion nominations sought
ALEXANDRIA, Va. – With more boats having a hard time gaining access to the water, BoatU.S. is now accepting nominations for its second annual BoatU.S. Recreational Boating Access Award, the Boat Owners Association of the United States said in a press release yesterday. The award recognizes those who have succeeded in preserving or improving public waterway access.
“Ultimately, the loss of boating access is a local issue,” said Margaret Podlich, BoatU.S. vice president of government affairs. “The aim of this award is to recognize those advocates across the U.S. who are trying to reverse this trend.”
Judges will look at four criteria: the challenges faced in retaining or increasing access in an area; the direct impact or measurable results of the solution; the level of success in increasing awareness of the issue in a community and; “repeatability,” the ability to take the successful approach and adopt it in other areas.
Examples of solutions could include creative public/private partnerships, changes in land use planning or permitting processes, tax incentives, legislation or public ballots, publicity or public education. Eligible activities need to have been undertaken in the last three years.
Applications are being accepted from June 15 through Oct. 1 and winners will be announced by Oct. 31. Previous entrants are asked not to reapply.
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