OR State Marine Board release - Since 1985, the Oregon State Marine Board (OSMB) has been required by statute (ORS 319.415) to conduct a fuel use survey every four years of a randomized sample of motorized boat owners, statewide. This statistical survey is conducted by Oregon State University (OSU) and asks boat owners about their fuel consumption from January 1 through December 31, 2025. Approximately 12,000 surveys were mailed statewide in the second week of January 2026. The survey aims to quantify the dollars that have already been paid by motorized boaters at the fuel pump or marine fueling station for boating activities in 2025.  Data collection will occur now through March, and all survey responses are anonymous. The data will then be analyzed, and a draft report will be prepared with preliminary results. Then, OSU submits a final report to OSMB by the end of June. In July, the Marine Board will follow established processes to calculate motorboat registration numbers with fuel consumption, which are forwarded to ODOT and the Department of Administrative Services. Once approved, fuel tax dollars are transferred back to OSMB and become part of the operating budget for the 2025-2027 fiscal biennium. The amount the agency receives back is dependent upon the survey responses and the number of registered motorboats in 2025.  Motorized boat owners who receive the survey are strongly encouraged to complete it. Every response is used to determine the calculated amount coming back to the Marine Board. Revenue is then returned to boaters for services including marine law enforcement, boating facility access grants, education, and many other programs.  Learn more about the Marine Board’s budget revenues and expenditures at https://www.oregon.gov/osmb/info/Pages/Business-Services.aspx