It is one of those little-known items in state government that have a major impact. We're talking about the Marine Fuel Tax.
This is the state, not federal, tax paid on gasoline and diesel fuel used in boats. Legislation passed long age means the money is channeled to build and maintain roads and access areas on Arkansas lakes and rivers.
The Marine Fuel Tax is collected, held by the Arkansas State Department of Highway and Transportation, then distributed for specific projects of the Arkansas Game & Fish Commission. The tax was a project developed by the late Henry Gray, long-time director of the highway department and a former biologist with the Game & Fish.
A recent example of how the tax works to achieve multiple benefits is at the town of Felsenthal in south Arkansas.
Linda Newby, Felsenthal mayor, asked Game & Fish for help in improving her town's main street. She explained that the street leads to three boat launching ramps on the Ouachita River and to a fishing pier. The street also leads to three access areas on the Beryl Anthony Lower Ouachita Wildlife Management Area which is heavily used by waterfowlers and other hunters as well as fishermen.
At their July meeting, Game & Fish commissioners authorized $99,000 from Marine Fuel Tax funds for the Felsenthal project. Other money for the work will come from the town and from Union County. The road work at Felsenthal is expected to begin soon.
Over several decades, Marine Fuel Tax money has been used in all 75 Arkansas counties for building and improving travel to water-related recreational activities. Building boat launching ramps and parking areas along with roads leading to them are most of the Marine Fuel Tax projects.
Henry Gray's work in creating the Martine Fuel Tax led to his name being placed on a wildlife management area in White County and to his induction into the Arkansas Outdoor Hall of Fame.
Outdoors on 08/07/2014