Over ten years in the making, the South Wasco Parks and Recreation District’s efforts to secure funding for a new boat ramp at Pine Hollow has come to fruition. On August 28, officials, local residents, and organized groups gathered at Pine Hollow’s old South Boat Ramp to break ground symbolizing the work ahead; to repair the south boat ramp and replace the North Boat Ramp.
Brian Manning, Chair of the South Wasco Park and Recreation District’s Board said, “There are many folks to acknowledge in the crafting of this outcome, so it was decided to celebrate the accomplishment with a ground-breaking ceremony and public description of the work ahead.”
The work is slated to begin September 17, 2019. The South Ramp will be closed to allow contractors to mobilize construction materials to begin work.
Marine Board staff had been discussing the status of the boat ramps with numerous interested parties for the last 13 years, according to Boating Facilities Manager, Janine Belleque. Agency staff also invested more than 850 hours of technical assistance through site surveys, design and engineering services.
Marine Board Member, Craig Withee (Bend, OR), made a heartfelt presentation during the ground-breaking ceremony saying, “We are very excited to see the successful completion (of the ramps) and the economic benefits for the county to follow. This is a great accomplishment and worth celebrating.”
Pine Hollow is a popular recreation facility and significant economic generator for South Wasco County. The rehabilitation of the two access points will help sustain recreational opportunities for visitors and residents while also supporting local businesses.
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The Marine Board is directly funded by boaters in the form of registration, title, and permit fees, as well as through marine fuel taxes. No lottery, general fund tax dollars or local facility parking fees support the agency or its programs. Boater-paid fees support the boating public through boating safety services (on-the-water law enforcement, training, and equipment), boating safety education, grants for the construction and maintenance of boating access facilities, and environmental protection programs. For more information about the Marine Board and its programs, visit www.boatoregon.com.