Boating Infrastructure Grant Program

The Boating Infrastructure Grant Program is administered in Pennsylvania by the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission in partnership with the U.S. Department of the Interior Fish and Wildlife Service. The program originates from federal legislation under the Sportfishing and Boating Safety Act of 1998, which authorizes funding to support boating infrastructure through excise taxes on motorboat fuel. The program is designed to enhance access and services for transient recreational vessels that are 26 feet or longer, specifically those that are non trailerable and require deeper navigable waters. The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission serves as the primary state level administrator responsible for reviewing, selecting, and submitting applications for federal consideration. The primary purpose of the grant is to support the development, renovation, and maintenance of transient moorage facilities that serve eligible recreational vessels. These facilities include transient slips, floating docks, fixed piers, day docks, navigational aids, and supporting utilities such as water, electricity, and sewage pumpout stations. The program emphasizes infrastructure that allows boaters to temporarily dock for periods of 15 days or less while traveling. Projects must be located on navigable public waters and designed to accommodate vessels of sufficient size and draft. The program prioritizes new access points for transient vessels, followed by expansion and then renovation of existing facilities. Funding is structured in two tiers. Tier One provides smaller scale funding allocations up to 300000 dollars annually to each state, while Tier Two supports larger projects requesting more than 300000 dollars and up to 1500000 dollars, which compete at the national level. All grants operate on a reimbursement basis, meaning applicants must incur expenses upfront and then request reimbursement for eligible costs. The program requires a minimum non federal cost share of 25 percent, which may include cash, in kind contributions such as labor or materials, or other funding sources. Matching resources must be secured and verified prior to approval. 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. Applicants must demonstrate the ability to construct and maintain facilities for a minimum useful life of 25 years. They must also ensure compliance with environmental regulations, provide long term maintenance, allow public access, and adhere to nondiscrimination requirements. Additional responsibilities include installation of navigational aids, adherence to engineering and environmental standards, and maintaining financial records for auditing purposes. The application process requires submission to the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission, which reviews proposals for completeness and eligibility before forwarding selected applications to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for national competition. Applicants must provide detailed documentation including project descriptions, cost estimates, matching fund commitments, environmental considerations, and proof of authority to apply. Applications must be submitted using the official program forms and within the announced submission period. Late or incomplete applications are not accepted. The evaluation process involves both state and federal review. The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission evaluates applications based on program guidelines and completeness, while final funding decisions are made by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service based on national criteria outlined in federal regulations. Environmental compliance reviews are required prior to final approval and may take several months. Projects must be completed within a defined performance period, typically allowing up to three years for construction and implementation. The program operates on a recurring annual cycle, with application periods typically announced in late spring and submissions due to the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission in October. Successful applicants are generally notified in the following year after federal review and approval. Applicants are encouraged to engage early with program administrators to refine project proposals and ensure compliance with all requirements. For assistance, applicants may contact the Statewide Public Access Program Manager via phone or email as provided by the program.

Submit detailed engineering plans and cost estimates prioritize projects that expand access for transient vessels engage early with program administrators and ensure compliance with environmental and design standards