Sacramento, CA…The Division of Boating and Waterways is now accepting applications through August 2, 2021, from public and private marina owners for Federal Boating Infrastructure (BIG) Grants. For 2022, a total of $14 million is available for BIG projects nationally.

Funded by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) – Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Program, BIG is a competitive program open to both publicly and privately owned marinas to renovate or construct visitor docks, restrooms, gangways and dockside utility hook-ups for transient recreational boats 26 feet or greater in length.

Through the BIG Program, grant recipients can:

Enhance access to recreational, historic, cultural and scenic resources.
Strengthen community ties to 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.
Interested applicants should first review the federal guidelines and application instructions to determine if they meet the necessary requirements. Grants are available to qualifying projects on a competitive basis. The USFWS ranks and scores grant requests according to need, access, cost efficiency, matching funds, and innovations that improve user access to the waterways.

The Division of Boating and Waterways, as the pass-through entity for the grant application process, reviews each application and sends the most eligible projects to the USFWS to compete against applicants from other states and territories. If awarded a USFWS grant, the division will manage the project through completion to ensure it meets federal requirements.

Marina operators eligible to compete in this program should contact Deborah Holmes at Deborah.Holmes@parks.ca.gov or (916) 327-1822.

BIG funds assist marina operators with construction or renovation of facilities used by transient recreational vessels 26’ or longer. Top: San Pedro Public Market. Bottom: Newport Beach Central Avenue Public Dock. Photos from Division of Boating and Waterways.

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