Salmon License Plate Sales Register Slight Gain in Past Year

(SALEM) - Sales of salmon license plates increased slightly during the past fiscal year providing $648,000 for water quality and stream improvements along roadsides and in state parks to support healthy salmon populations. During the fiscal year ending June 30th, 2006, plate sales increased nearly three percent from the prior year to 20,900, reflecting slight increases in both new plate sales of 4,084 and renewals of 16,816. "We are particularly pleased that during the past six years, plate renewals have been consistently strong," said Tom Byler, executive director of the Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board. "Through surveys, people with salmon plates have told us they are committed to supporting stream and park projects and have no intention of dropping their salmon plate," he added. "State park watershed projects help salmon, and help people understand the significance of salmon in the history, economy and culture of Oregon," said Tim Wood, Oregon Parks and Recreation Department director. "People who purchase salmon plates are putting money directly into salmon habitat improvement in their state parks and increasing the understanding of this important natural resource." Salmon plate purchasers pay an extra $30 every two years above regular passenger vehicle registration fees. Half the fee goes directly to fix road-related impacts to salmon and trout streams by improving water quality, fish habitat and fish passage through OWEB grants. The Oregon Parks and Recreation Department invests the other half in salmon habitat and related projects in state parks. In March 2006, OWEB allocated more than $350,000 in salmon license plate revenue for six projects returning fish to nearly 25 miles of streams. OPRD used $650,000 of salmon plate funds during the past two-year budget period. Projects have ranged from efforts to restore salmon-friendly stream flows to increasing public awareness of what is being done, and what needs to be done, to improve salmon runs. For more information about salmon plates and instructions for purchasing, call OWEB at 503-986-0178 or visit the Oregon Plan for Salmon and Watersheds Website at: www.oregon-plan.org. Click on "Salmon license plates" in the left column. Since the beginning of the salmon license plate program in 1997, OWEB and OPRD have each received more than $2.5 million.