The following outlines the judging criteria for each award that will be presented at the 2008 SOBA Annual Conference in Norfolk, VA. Criteria for the William H. Ivers Award 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 second 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 the annual SOBA conference. First awarded in 1993. To: 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. Chosen by: SOBA Executive Board Process for Nomination: Nominations should be submitted on the SOBA Individual Award Nomination form. Type of award: An engraved plaque. Criteria for the Outstanding Service Award Given: Presented at the annual SOBA conference. First awarded in 1990. To: An individual or agency. Both SOBA and non-SOBA members are eligible. Purpose of the Award: Presented to an individual or an agency who has made either a one-time or continuing 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. Chosen by: SOBA Executive Board. Process for Nomination: Nominations should be submitted on the SOBA Individual Nomination form. Type of Award: An engraved plaque. Criteria for the Professional Service Award Given: Presented at the annual SOBA conference (See annual conference). First awarded in 1992. To: An individual SOBA member or group of SOBA members, such as a committee or task force. 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. Chosen by: SOBA Executive Board. Process for Nomination: Nominations should be submitted on the SOBA Individual Award Nomination form. Type of Award: An engraved plaque. Criteria for the Special Recognition Award Given: Presented at the annual SOBA conference. First awarded in 1988. To: An individual, group, organization or political sub-division. Both SOBA and non-SOBA members are eligible. Purpose of the Award: Presented to an individual, group, organization or political sub-division 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. Chosen by: SOBA Executive Board. Process for Nomination: Nominations should be submitted on the SOBA Individual Award Nomination form. Type of Award: An engraved plague. Criteria for the State Boating Access Program Excellence Award Given: Given at the annual SOBA conference. First awarded in 1998. To: A State Agency that is a SOBA member with primary responsibility for boating access development. Purpose of the Award: Presented to a state agency that has primary responsibility for boating access development and which has excelled over time and provided outstanding service to its residents and visitors to the state. This award recognizes leadership and public service: in providing boating access site development, operation and maintenance; in providing programs that educate and inform boaters about boating access in the state; and in providing programs that resulted in innovation in all aspects of boating access management including financing. Chosen by: SOBA Executive Board. Process for Nomination: Nominations should be submitted on the SOBA Program Excellence Award Nomination form. Type of Award: An engraved plaque. Criteria for the State CVA Program Excellence Award Given: Given at the annual SOBA conference. First awarded in 1998. To: A State Agency that is a SOBA member with primary responsibility for implementing the Clean Vessel Act (CVA) of 1992. Purpose of the Award: Presented to a state agency that has primary responsibility for implementing the provisions of the Clean Vessel Act of 1992 and which has excelled over time and provided outstanding service to its residents and visitors to the state. This award recognizes leadership and public service: in the administration of the CVA, in the operation and maintenance of CVA facilities; and in developing innovative CVA programs and projects. Chosen by: SOBA Executive Board. Process for Nomination: Nominations should be submitted on the SOBA Program Excellence Award Nomination form. Type of Award: An engraved plaque. Criteria for Outstanding Project Awards Given: Four (4) are presented annually at the SOBA conference To: 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. First awarded in 1992. Purpose of the Awards: These awards are presented to an agency, group, local government, or corporation for boating access 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 access projects each year. Description of Award Categories: There are four award categories: 1) Small, 2) Mid-size, 3) Large, and 4) Marina and Harbors. These categories were established to acknowledge the range of boating access projects that states and other organizations often address. Cost in and of itself does not define the size of a project. Rather the need for access, the intended customer base and daily use, and the often unique circumstances of the site itself can greatly affect cost and the design of the project. 1) Small Access Category: day-use boating access facilities of less than 25 cars and trailers or single-car parking capacity, with single-lane launch ramp or "carry-down" launching. (2) Midsize Access Category: day-use boat launching facility of 25 to 75 car-and-trailer parking capacity, with single- or multiple-lane launch ramp. (3) Large Access Category: day-use boat launching facilities of more than 75 car-and-trailer parking capacity and multiple-lane launch ramp. (4) Marinas and Harbors Category: multi-faceted recreational boating facilities projects which may include full-service marinas, transient dockage facilities, break-water, day-use boat launching, and various related upland amenities. This category also includes Boating Infrastructure Grants (BIG) projects. Judging Criteria: The criteria for each of the four categories is similar and includes standard aspects of all access projects. These include: 1. Utilization of sound engineering principles which have proven effective in boating access development. 2. Innovative designs which may incorporate new materials, cost effective design, or that overcome site design issues including resolving environmental quality issues at the site. 3. Projects that result in a long life span and reduced maintenance needs. 4. Incorporation of up-to-date safety and accessibility standards and materials. Chosen by: SOBA Executive Board. Process for Nomination: Nominations should be submitted on the SOBA Outstanding Projects Nomination form. Types of Award: An engraved plaque for each award category.