The Division of Boating and Waterways is now accepting letters of intent for the 2026 Boating Infrastructure Grant program.
Donor Name: Division of Boating and Waterways (DBW)
State: California
County: All Counties
Type of Grant: Grant
Deadline: 06/13/2025
Size of the Grant: $100,000 to $500,000
Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned
Details:
The Boating Infrastructure Grants are federally funded by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Program. These federal grants are for boating infrastructure improvements that serve transient recreational vessels at least 26 feet in length. Transient vessels are those passing through, staying 15-days or less. Big Program is intended to:
- Enhance access to recreational, historic, cultural and scenic resources.
- Strengthen community ties to the water’s edge and economic benefits.
- Promote public/private partnerships and entrepreneurial opportunities.
- Provide continuity of public access to the shore.
- Promote awareness of transient boating opportunities.
Funding Information
The total project cost is projected to be $3,000,000.
- Total Project Cost: $450,000
- Requested BIG Funds: $300,000
- Local Match: $150,000.
Eligible Activities
- Project engineering, permitting, environmental compliance.
- Construction or renovation of infrastructure for transient recreational boaters such as tie-up facilities, docks for potable water, pumpouts, and fuel stations, boater showers, laundry, breakwaters, etc. Facilities must be:
- Built on navigable waters with a minimum depth of six (6) feet;
- Available to the transient boating public (via physical access, reasonable fees, and open periods).
- Secure, safe, and provide service for transient recreational vessels.
- Dredging up to $200,000 per grant, to give transient vessels safe channel depths between the tie-up facility and maintained channels or open water.
- Installation of navigational aids, limited to giving transient vessels safe passage between the tie-up facility and maintained channels or open water.
Selection Criteria
Applications will be scored on how well the project meets the criteria listed below:
- Provides a significant link to prominent destination points such as those near metropolitan population centers, cultural or natural areas, or that provide safe harbors from storms.
- Provides access to recreational, historic, cultural, natural, or scenic opportunities of local, regional, or national significance.
- Provides for public/private and public/public partnership efforts to develop, renovate, or maintain tie-up facilities.
- Uses innovative techniques to increase the availability of tie-up facilities for transient vessels 26 feet or more in length (includes education/information).
- Includes private, local, or other state funds in addition to the non-federal match.
For more information, visit DBW.
