OREGON STATE UNIVERSITY
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You can be one of more than 10,000 Oregonians who are already supporting Oregon marine mammal research by purchasing and renewing a Coastal Playground license plate. These special plates are available at all Oregon DMV branches.
The license plate, which features the image of a gray whale mother and her calf, went on sale at Oregon Department of Motor Vehicle offices on February 1, 2019. The plates cost $40 to order or renew, with approximately $35 of each sale going to OSU’s Marine Mammal Institute based at the Hatfield Marine Science Center in Newport.
Because these funds are generated through sales of Oregon license plates, the Marine Mammal Institute is committed to using the proceeds to support Oregon-focused projects that emphasize education, outreach, and research.
We deeply appreciate your support!
Revenue from Coastal Playground license plate sales is directly supporting a research project to monitor the health of Oregon’s “summer resident” gray whales.
Gray whale license plate sales are providing the funding to continue monitoring gray whales off the coast of Port Orford in summer 2020.
License plate funds are allowing the purchase of critical equipment and providing training opportunities for MMI staff to respond to local whale entanglements under the guidance of NOAA Fisheries.
Renowned wildlife illustrator Pieter Folkens created the lifelike image depicting the gray whale cow and calf that appears on the license plates. Emmy-award winning graphic artist Pete McKeeman added a two-toned background representing the sea and sky and highlighting a coastal lighthouse in the upper left corner. The bottom inscription reads “Coastal Playground,” reflecting the importance of the coast to marine animals and to coastal tourism.
In addition to regular title, registration, and plate fees, the specialty whale plate has a $40 surcharge due when you first order the plate and at each registration renewal. The surcharge is the same amount for four-year or two-year registration periods. Complete details can now be found on the Oregon DMV website.
The total cost of a set of plates depends upon when and how a vehicle owner applies for a new set. Here are two common scenarios:
1. Vouchers exchanged for new plates within 120 days before a vehicle’s stickers expire:
Whale plate surcharge: $40 ($0 with prepaid voucher)
Plate fee: $24.50 for the pair
Plate replacement fee: $5
Registration renewal: Please see the DMV website for details.
Total: Please see the DMV website for details.
2. Vouchers exchanged for new plates more than 120 days before a vehicle’s stickers expire:
Whale plate surcharge: $40 ($0 with prepaid voucher)
Plate fee: $24.50 for the pair
Plate replacement fee: $10
Total: $74.50 (registration and renewal fees due prior to sticker expiration)
