USF&WS Boating Infrastructure Grant Program

Funding Source for Construction of Recreational Boating Facilities

Apr 9, 2009 Alan Sorum

U.S. federal excise tax funds collected on fishing gear and boat fuel are available to construct mooring facilities for non-trailerable transient recreational vessels.

Using a less than catching acronym, the Boating Infrastructure Grant (BIG) Program funnels major capital funding into communities to help support construction of moorings for recreational boats. A little more than $12.5 million was awarded through the competitive grant program to 14 projects sponsors found in 11 states in 2009. Funding supports the building of mooring slips and docks.

In announcing the 2009 grant awards, U.S. Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar said, “Boating is one of our country’s favorite pastimes, and the Boating Infrastructure Grant program greatly enhances recreational opportunities while conserving America’s aquatic natural resources. Spending by boaters provides significant revenues for business owners and employees in every state. This program, funded by boaters, is a prime example of the direct economic benefits boating can bring to local economies.”

A Description of the Boating Infrastructure Grant Program

Boaters provide the funds provided by the BIG Program through excise taxes collected for the Sport Fishing and Boating Trust Fund. Excise taxes on collected on sales of fishing equipment and motorboat fuels, import duties and interest generated by the funds collected go into the funding pool. Two percent of the trust funds collected are dedicated to the BIG Program each year.

Funding is provided through a two tier scheme representing non-competitive and competitive awards.

Tier One is the non-competitive class where each state receives funding for appropriate projects of $100,000 per year.
Tier Two is the competitive class of grant of funding made through evaluation of applications collected from across the country. A national panel grades tier Two applications on their merits for the awards.

Eligible Boating Facility Projects

Grant funds are intended to help construct or maintain mooring facilities for transient recreational vessels that can’t be trailered. These are classified as boats being greater than 26 feet in length. A transient mooring is defined as being available for a stay of less than 10 days.

Grants can be awarded to partnerships formed by private parties, non-profits, local government and state agencies. Sponsors can be reimbursed for up to 75% of the total project costs. The strength of the proposed project partnership and the level of matching funds are major factors in ranking Tier Two grant applications.

The fish and game departments in most states follow the BIG Program closely and can help provide information to potential project sponsors. Nationally the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service posts regular updates on application deadlines, available funding and grant awards at their BIG homepage. BIG may be a good way to fund a transient dock in your community.

The copyright of the article USF&WS Boating Infrastructure Grant Program in Boating & Sailing is owned by Alan Sorum. Permission to republish USF&WS Boating Infrastructure Grant Program in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

Floating Docks Under Construction