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• Outstanding Project Award –Winners: North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, Vandemere Boating Access Area (pictured above) & PND Engineers and the City and Borough of Juneau (CBJ), Statter Harbor Launch Ramp Facility. This award recognizes boating facility projects that are innovative, useful, high quality, unique and economical.  Sara Sherman with the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission accepted the award on behalf of the Commission and Dick Somerville accepted the award on behalf of PND Engineers.
• State Program Excellence Award – State Clean Vessel Act: Florida Department of Environmental Protection won for providing outstanding pump-out facilities, planning education and partnerships. Deborah Furrow of the Florida’s Fish and Wildlife Conservation Committee accepted the award on behalf of Brenda Leonard and the State of Florida
• State Program Excellence Award – a Boating Infrastructure Grant Program: South Carolina Dept. of Natural Resources won for their outstanding commitment and success in developing safe and innovative boating access facilities through the State of South Carolina. Accepting the award was Scott Meister, BIG coordinator of the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources.
• 2017 President’s Award: Puerto Rico Dept. of Natural and Environmental Resources, Parguera Boat Ramp won this first annual award for their ingenuity and creativity in overcoming sensitive environmental issues and blending with the natural resources.  Accepting the award was Mayra Garcia and Luis Velez of Puerto Rico’s Department of Natural and Environmental Resources.
• Outstanding Service Award: Fred Bedell, Maryland Dept. of Natural Resources won for his exceptional knowledge and leadership in boating access programs and commitment to the boating community.Fred has been with the Department of Natural Resources for the state of Maryland for 44 years and has the rare gift of being able to meld technical expertise with creativity working in a variety of programs including Shore Erosion Control, Hydrographic Operations, Engineering and Construction, and Boating Implementation, which all, either directly or indirectly, benefit the general boating public.
• Professional Service Award: Al Wolselgel, Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission won for his steadfast service to recreational boating, dedication to the CVA program and unwavering support of SOBA. Since Al took over the CVA program seven years ago, 67 more pumpouts have been added, collecting more than 10 million gallons annually, an increase from 3.9 million gallons. He is highly respected by quality owners, trade organizations and peers; and is a beloved SOBA Board member.
• William H. Ivers Award: Steve Miller, Wisconsin Dept. of Natural Resources (posthumously) was presented this honorable award for his significant contributions over the last 15 years to recreational boating, boating access, design, construction, management and administration of boating access facilities and programs. Mr. Miller retired in 2015 after a 42 year career with the state of Wisconsin. His contributions exemplify high standards of professionalism and outstanding achievement. His passion for boating access was exhibited in the countless facilities developed and renovated and the many grants provided for the service to boaters for access to the great Wisconsin waters. 

Mr. Miller served on the SOBA Board for seven years (2007-2014) as an at-large member, treasurer, vice president, president and past president. He represented SOBA while serving as a board member on the Board of Directors for the Recreational Boating and Fishing Foundation and as an alternate on the Sport Fishing and Boating Partnership Council. He hosted the 2011 SOBA National Boating Access Conference highlighting the SOBA's 25th anniversary.  Mr. Miller was the SOBA liaison with AFWA serving on several committees for 8 years, particularly the Angler and Boating Committee. In 2014, he was awarded SOBA's "Outstanding Service Award" in recognition of his commitment to the organization's mission. He represented Wisconsin and SOBA with the stature benefitting from the honor and wisdom he brought; he was highly respected across the country in the outdoor community. Mr. Miller’s daughter was able to attend and accept this award on behalf of her father.