Crater
Lake tops list of specialty plates, raises $1.1 million
Herald and News
Klamath Falls, Oregon
February 26, 2004
Campaign to sell more in the offing
Combined wire, local reports
Crater Lake blue is getting good play around Oregon.
While most Oregon motorists are content with standard issue
Douglas fir license plate, an increasing number of drivers have
switched to the deep blue of Crater Lake.
The commemorative plates have become the state's best-selling
specialty license plate, according to the Oregon Department of
Transportation. In a typical month, it outsells all the state's
other specialty plates combined, spokesman Kevin Beckstrom said.
Now, supporters of Oregon's only national park are beginning a
$100,000 campaign to make the plates even more popular. They
hope drivers will place them on more vehicles because each sale
of the plates raises $18 toward a new science and education
center and other projects in the park.
''We've found that not everyone knows the money goes back to the
park for improvements,'' said Mac Brock, Crater Lake National
Park's chief of resource management. ''We want to let them know
that not only are you getting a cool-looking plate, but money is
going to support this new concept of a science and learning
center.''
Construction of a Crater Lake Science and Learning Center,
located at two historic rock buildings that for many years were
used as seasonal park residences, is scheduled to begin this
summer. When completed, the center complex will provide one
building for researchers, artists and others while the second
will serve as a residence.
Designed by Mike Baggetta of Portland, based on artwork by his
wife, Marla, the Crater Lake plates were released in August 2002
in conjunction with the park's 100th anniversary.
As of Jan. 31, the state had issued the plates to 63,265
vehicles, Beckstrom said.
Drivers who want the plates pay a basic state fee and a one-time
$20 charge. Most of the money, minus less than $2 for other
fees, goes to the nonprofit National Park Foundation for use at
Crater Lake. Sales of the plates raised about $1.1 million as of
the end of 2003.
A new $100,000 campaign will urge more drivers to pick up the
Crater Lake plates, in hopes of raising more money for the park.
It will include broadcast advertising around the state starting
next week and will supply car dealers with brochures promoting
the plates to car buyers, said Ryan Chackel, general manager of
Combined Marketing Group in Bend.
Besides Oregon's standard license plate, the most widespread
plate design commemorated the Oregon Trail. About 380,000
drivers purchased Oregon Trail plates at a one-time charge of $5
from 1993 to 1999. They are no longer available.
The Crater Lake design has outsold the optional salmon design
released more than four years earlier. The salmon plates,
however, carry a $30 surcharge, $10 more than the Crater Lake
version. Vehicle owners also must pay the fee each time they
renew their registration, maintaining a stream of funds to aid
salmon.
A newer plate with an orange abstract design benefiting the
Oregon Cultural Trust was released in February 2003 at the same
price as the salmon plate. It's a slower seller, purchased by
4,354 drivers so far.
Related Crater Lake News Stories
Crater Lake license plates raise
more than money -
January 27, 2004
County repaid for Crater Lake license loan -
January 07, 2003
Crater Lake license plate
available in Oregon
-
August 25, 2002
Long lines expected for new
license plates
-
August 23, 2002
Crater Lake license plate unveiled
- July 31, 2002
New plates would celebrate Crater
Lake -
March 05, 2001
