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Crater Lake license plate unveiled

Herald and News

Klamath Falls, Oregon
July 31, 2002
By LEE JUILLERAT
Crater Lake has license to celebrate.

The long-awaited design of the Crater Lake National Park Centennial license plate was formally revealed by the Oregon Department of Transportation Wednesday afternoon.
Plates will be available for purchase from Department of Motor Vehicle offices, including Klamath Falls, beginning Monday, Aug. 26.

The full-color plate, which features the lake and Wizard Island, is much like the design the park submitted for consideration.
“It was basically their design,” said David House, a spokesmen for ODOT’s Driver and Motor Vehicle Services in Salem. “We found a way to make it work. Six months for creating a totally new license plate is moving pretty quickly. We think it’s very attractive.”

The plate will be available for passenger cars and motor homes, including custom and amateur radio operator configurations, and travel trailers.

The plate was created by Senate Bill 821, which was passed by the 2001 Oregon Legislature. It’s the first new Oregon license plate since the salmon plate was created in 1997 and issued in February 1998.

Funding for expedited production of the plates was made possible through a loan from Klamath County. As the plates are sold, the loan will be repaid. Profits from the plates will be designated for the park, including the developing Crater Lake Science and Learning Center.

The park, Oregon’s only national park, is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year. Early copies of the plate are expected to be on display during the park’s rededication ceremonies on Sunday, Aug. 25.

A series of celebrations are planned beginning Thursday, Aug. 22, including special ranger-guided hikes, open houses, an alumni reunion and visits by numerous national dignitaries, including Interior Secretary Gale Norton, Gov. John Kitzhaber, Sen. Gordon Smith and Rep. Greg Walden, among others.
Cost for the license plates vary depending on when purchased:
* At registration renewal — $58, including a $30 registration fee, $20 Crater Lake surcharge, $5 replacement transaction fee and $3 plate manufacturing fee.

* Before renewal — $33, including $20 Crater Lake surcharge, $10 replacement fee and $3 plate fee.

* At purchase of a new car with 4-year registration — $83, including $60 four-year registration fee (not yet available in all parts of Oregon), $20 Crater Lake surcharge and $3 plate fee.
* At purchase of a new car with 2-year registration — $53, including $30 registration fee, $20 Crater Lake surcharge and $3 plate fee.

Personalized or custom plates will also be available with surcharge of an additional $50. For more information contact a local DMV office.
Regional Editor Lee Juillerat covers Lake, Siskiyou, Modoc and northern Klamath counties. He can be reached at 885-4421, (800) 275-0982, or by e-mail at ljuillerat@heraldandnews.com.

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