Interior Secretary Gale Norton today announced an $859,000 grant to help the State of California improve boating access on the San Francisco waterfront.
The grant, awarded by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service under its Boating Infrastructure Grant (BIG) program, will be matched by $1.7 million in funds and in-kind services from partners including the California Department of Boating and Waterways, the Port of San Francisco, and Pier 39 Ltd.
The project will result in better and safer facilities for recreational boaters and increased tourism in the area. Specifically, the grant funds will help fund a one-time dredging of the West Marina to allow access for large, deep drafting transient boats. In addition, the project will reconstruct transient docks that are in disrepair.
The renovated docks will provide 17 boat slips for transient boats up to 60 feet in length, resulting in an additional 9,300 transient boaters to the area. These recreational boaters are expected to pump an estimated $1.5 million into the local economy.
"We understand the importance of having safe and accessible tie-up facilities and the economic impact that boating can bring to local economies," Norton said. "The BIG program works with partners to improve recreational boating and fishing opportunities. It strengthens community ties to the water
