Annual Awards

To advance its mission, SOBA pursues a multitude of strategic objectives. Numerous individuals and organizations assist SOBA in various ways in these undertakings. To show its appreciation for this invaluable assistance, SOBA recognizes outstanding individuals and groups for their contributions to boating access through its award program.

 

William H. Ivers Award

About: This award was established by the SOBA Executive Board in 1993 to honor the memory of William H. Ivers. Bill was one of SOBA’s early pioneering members whose vision, dedication and hard work helped establish SOBA as the primary organization dedicated to boating access. Bill was Director of the California Boating and Waterways through the late 1980’s and early 1990’s. He played an instrumental role in founding SOBA, and served two terms as SOBA’s President (1989 and 1990). A savvy politician, Bill was appointed director of his agency following a period of time in the California State Assembly. He used his unique mix of diplomatic skills and affability to great advantage, and was a champion of public boating access interests in the early days of the Wallop-Breaux Trust Fund. SOBA lost a great friend and a distinguished leader when Bill passed away in 1992 after a courageous two-year battle with cancer.

Given: Presented at SOBA’s Annual National Boating Access Conference. First awarded in 1993.

Eligible: An individual currently employed by a SOBA member organization, or to an individual member or past or retired SOBA member.

Purpose of the Award: Presented to an individual who has significantly contributed over at least 15 years to the design, construction, management or administration of boating access facilities or programs. The nominee’s contributions will exemplify high standards of professionalism and outstanding achievement.

Process for Nomination: Nominations should be submitted on the SOBA Awards Nomination form.

2022 Recipient: David E. Kieffer

Outstanding Service Award

Purpose of the Award: Presented to an individual or an agency who has made either a contribution to provide improved access for boaters and anglers to our nation’s public waters. These contributions can relate to such activities as: obtaining funding at the national or a state level for boating access acquisition or improvement; enactment of legislation or policies that protects and improves the public’s right to access the nation’s waters; and similar activities.

Given:
Presented at SOBA’s Annual National Boating Access Conference. First awarded in 1990.


To: An individual or agency. Both SOBA and non-SOBA members are eligible.

Process for Nomination: Nominations should be submitted on the SOBA Awards Nomination form.

2022 Recipient: Lisa Van Alstyne, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

Professional Service Award

Purpose of the Award: Presented to an individual SOBA member or a group of SOBA members (most often a designated task force or committee) for service on a special project or for ongoing efforts on behalf of SOBA. From time-to-time SOBA establishes various committees or task forces that work on special projects and issue areas. These groups at times have continued their work over a period of years before a final product was produced. This award recognizes an individual or group effort on such projects completed on behalf of SOBA.

Given:
Presented at SOBA’s Annual National Boating Access Conference. First awarded in 1992.


To: An individual SOBA member or group of SOBA members, such as a committee or task force.

Process for Nomination: Nominations should be submitted on the SOBA Awards Nomination form.

2022 Recipient: None Awarded

Special Recognition Award

Purpose of the Award: Presented to an individual, group, organization or political subdivision in recognition of activities that are singularly illustrative or supportive of SOBA’s mission. These activities can take various forms ranging from providing organizational support to SOBA, completion of special assignments for SOBA, providing leadership within or on behalf of SOBA, and for general leadership in public boating access issues.

Given:
Presented at SOBA’s Annual National Boating Access Conference. First awarded in 1988.


To: An individual, group, organization or political subdivision. Both SOBA and non-SOBA members are eligible.

Process for Nomination: Nominations should be submitted on the SOBA Awards Nomination form.

2022 Recipient: Gary Dail, North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission

State Program Excellence

About: Presented to a state agency with primary responsibility for boating access development, implementing the provisions of the CVA or BIG programs, and which has excelled over time and provided outstanding service to its residents and visitors to the state.

These awards recognize leadership and public service in providing boating facility development, operation and maintenance; in providing programs that educate and inform boaters about boating facilities in the state; in the administration of federal grants, in the operation and maintenance of grant-funded facilities; or in providing programs that resulted in innovative approaches to aspects of boating facilities.

To:
A state agency that is a SOBA member with primary responsibility for Boating Access, Clean Vessel Act (CVA) or Boating Infrastructure Grant (BIG) programs. Multiple awards in this category may be presented.


Process for Nomination: Nominations should be submitted on the SOBA Awards Nomination form.

2022 Recipient: Ohio Department of Natural Resources

Previous Recipients

Outstanding Project

About: These awards are presented to an agency, group, local government, or corporation for boating facility projects that are judged to be innovative, useful, of high quality, unique, and economical. Providing "on-the-ground/on-the-water" physical facilities is a major component of SOBA’s mission, and it is therefore highly appropriate for SOBA to formally recognize a number of quality boating facilities projects each year. These awards are for projects of all sizes, funded through Boating Access, CVA, or BIG grants.

Given: Multiple awards may be presented at SOBA’s Annual National Boating Access Conference.

Eligible: An agency, group, local government, or corporation whose project is constructed in a SOBA member state. Note: Both SOBA and non-SOBA members are eligible, and projects completed during the previous two calendar years (at date of submission) qualify. First awarded in 1992.

Criteria:

1. Utilization of sound engineering principles which have proven effective in recreational boating facility development.
2. Innovative designs which may incorporate new materials, cost effectiveness, or that overcome site challenges.
3. Projects that result in an extended life span and reduced maintenance needs.
4. Incorporation of current safety and accessibility standards and materials.

Process for Nomination: Nominations should be submitted on the SOBA Awards Nomination form.

2022 Recipients:

Project: Quonochontaug Boat Ramp
Nominee: Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management

Project: Rodanthe Boating Access Area
Nominee: North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission

Previous Recipients

President's Award

About: The award is presented to an agency, group, local government, or corporation for recreational boating facility projects or activities that are judged to be innovative, useful, of high quality, unique, and economical. (Note: AIS activities are eligible.)

Given: One award may be presented at SOBA’s Annual National Boating Access Conference.

Eligible: An agency, group, local government, or corporation whose project or activity occurs in a SOBA member state. Both SOBA and non-SOBA members are eligible, and projects completed during the previous two calendar years (at date of submission) qualify.

Criteria: Projects or activities of any size, funded through Boating Access, CVA, or BIG grants which have demonstrated excellence in public communication, education or outreach.

Process for Nomination: Nominations should be submitted on the SOBA Awards Nomination form.

2022 Recipient: 
Solar Pumpout Boat Program
Eastern Shore District Health Department

Congressional Award

Criteria: The award is given to a member (or members) of the U.S. Congress who has made significant contributions to public boating facility programs in the nation. It is preferred, but not required, that the recipient is a member of the Congressional Boating Caucus.

2022 Recipient:  None Awarded

Submit a Nomination
Deadline for nominations:
May 31, 2024