Boating Facilities Program

The Boating Facilities Program is a state-administered grant initiative established in 1964 to support the acquisition, development, and renovation of public boating infrastructure. The program is funded through a portion of the gasoline tax paid by boaters and is designed to enhance access to waterways for motorized recreational use. It focuses on ensuring that public entities can provide safe, functional, and accessible boating facilities for the public. The program is administered through a state recreation and conservation office framework and operates on a biennial funding cycle. The primary purpose of the program is to improve and expand facilities that serve motorized boating activities. Eligible projects include the acquisition of land for boating facilities, construction or renovation of boat launches, installation of guest moorage infrastructure such as docks and buoys, and development of support amenities including parking areas, restrooms, and sewage pump-out stations. Funding may also support planning activities such as architectural design, engineering, environmental review, and permitting, though these planning funds are capped relative to total project costs. Certain project types are explicitly excluded, including facilities intended for commercial use, fuel sales infrastructure, and projects that primarily support non-motorized boating. Funding is structured with defined limits based on project type. Acquisition, development, and combination projects are each eligible for up to one million dollars per project. Planning-only components are limited to the lesser of two hundred thousand dollars or twenty percent of the estimated construction cost. Administrative costs are also capped, with acquisition projects limited to five percent and development projects constrained by a twenty percent cap on architecture and engineering costs. A matching requirement applies to most applicants, with local agencies and tribes required to contribute twenty-five percent of project costs, including a minimum portion from non-state and non-federal sources. Eligibility is limited to public and quasi-public entities that are legally authorized to develop, operate, and maintain recreational facilities. These include cities, counties, Native American tribes, park and recreation districts, port districts, public utility districts, and certain state agencies involved in outdoor recreation. A critical prerequisite for eligibility is the completion of a comprehensive recreation or conservation plan, which must be in place prior to application submission. This requirement ensures that funded projects align with broader strategic planning efforts. The application process follows a structured, multi-step timeline. Applications open on August 4, 2026, accompanied by a webinar for applicants. A comprehensive plan must be submitted by September 1, 2026, serving as a gating requirement for eligibility. The full application is due on November 3, 2026, followed by a technical review in mid-November. Applicants must address any technical requirements by January 22, 2027. Projects then undergo evaluation in February 2027, with final approval of ranked project lists anticipated by April 30, 2027. This timeline reflects a rigorous review and evaluation process designed to ensure project readiness and alignment with program goals. Projects funded through this program are subject to long-term obligations. Any property acquired or developed with grant funds must be maintained for public outdoor recreational use in perpetuity. This requirement underscores the program’s commitment to sustained public benefit and long-term access to boating facilities. The program is recurring and offered every two years, providing ongoing opportunities for eligible entities to secure funding for boating infrastructure improvements.

Ensure comprehensive plan is completed prior to submission and align project scope with eligible boating facility improvements