Boating Infrastructure Grant

The Boating Infrastructure Grant Program is a federally authorized funding initiative established under the Sportfishing and Boating Safety Act of 1998 and administered in Pennsylvania by the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission in partnership with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The program is funded through excise taxes on motorboat fuel and is designed to support the development and maintenance of boating infrastructure that serves transient recreational vessels 26 feet or longer. Transient use is defined as short-term docking of no more than 15 consecutive days, emphasizing facilities that support travel and stopover needs rather than long-term storage or marina residency. The primary purpose of the grant is to expand and improve access to navigable waters for large recreational boats by funding infrastructure such as transient slips, floating docks, fixed piers, day docks, and associated utilities. Eligible project components may also include navigational aids, pumpout stations, and essential dockside services like water and electricity. The program prioritizes projects that create new access points for transient vessels, followed by expansions of existing facilities and then rehabilitation or maintenance of current infrastructure. All funded facilities must be located on publicly accessible navigable waters and designed for a minimum useful life of 25 years. Funding is structured into two tiers. Tier 1 supports smaller projects, with up to $300,000 available annually to each state. Tier 2 supports larger-scale projects, with awards up to $1.5 million that compete nationally through the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Regardless of tier, the program operates on a reimbursement basis, meaning grant recipients must incur and document eligible expenses before receiving payment. Applicants must demonstrate financial capacity to manage upfront costs and comply with all reporting and documentation requirements for reimbursement. A mandatory cost-sharing requirement applies to all awards. Grant funds may cover up to 75 percent of total project costs, while applicants must provide at least a 25 percent non-federal match. Matching contributions may include cash, in-kind labor, materials, or other eligible sources such as local or state funding. Applicants must identify and confirm the availability of these resources at the time of application. Additional financial requirements include maintaining detailed accounting records and supporting documentation for auditing purposes for up to six years after project completion. Eligible applicants include public and private operators of boating facilities that are open to the public. This includes municipal governments, state agencies, and other governmental entities. Projects must meet strict eligibility criteria, including public accessibility, environmental compliance, and adherence to federal and state regulations. Ineligible uses include projects that primarily benefit non-transient vessels, routine maintenance, law enforcement activities, or construction of unrelated land-based infrastructure. Applicants must also commit to maintaining the facility and ensuring nondiscriminatory public access for the duration of its useful life. Applications are submitted to the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission rather than directly to the federal government. The application process includes submission of a formal application form, supporting documentation such as engineering estimates, environmental considerations, and proof of matching funds, and a governing body resolution authorizing the project. Applications are typically due in October, with preliminary review encouraged prior to final submission. Selected applications are forwarded for national review, and final award decisions are made by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Following submission, applications undergo evaluation based on criteria established in federal regulations, including project readiness, public benefit, and alignment with program priorities. Environmental and regulatory reviews may take 30 to 120 days before final approval. If awarded, projects must be completed within a three-year construction period, and recipients must comply with ongoing reporting, maintenance, and inspection requirements. Contact for application assistance is available through the Statewide Public Access Program Manager via phone or email.

Provide detailed engineering estimates and demonstrate project readiness; prioritize projects that expand access for transient vessels; ensure compliance with environmental and federal requirements