Interior Secretary Dirk Kempthorne Announces Grants to 15 States
to Improve Recreational Boating Infrastructure
WASHINGTON, D.C.--Secretary of the Interior Dirk Kempthorne today announced that more than $13.5 million in competitive grants will be awarded to 15 states ranging from California to Rhode for 19 boating infrastructure projects. The grants, which will help fund construction of docks, boat slips and other facilities to support recreational boating, are made available through the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services Boating Infrastructure Grant (BIG) program.
"The Boating Infrastructure Grant program expands opportunities for recreational boating while strengthening a communitys ties to the water," said Secretary Kempthorne. "Although it is funded by boaters, this program benefits the entire community by helping local economies, helping people connect with nature and improving public safety.
Funding for the BIG program comes from the Sport Fishing and Boating Trust Fund, formerly known as the Aquatic Resources Trust Fund, which is supported by excise taxes on certain fishing and boating equipment and boat fuels. Smaller non-competitive grants are also available to states that are willing to match the BIG funding. The Service will release approximately $3.7 million to 38 states in non-competitive BIG funding. BIG funds can be used to construct, renovate and maintain tie-up facilities with features for boats that cannot be trailered in vessels 26 feet or more in length. The funds also can be used to produce and distribute information and educational materials about the program.
A panel of representatives from the Service as well as a committee from the Sport Fishing and Boating Partnership Council reviewed and scored the BIG proposals. The Council is a federally chartered body that advises the Secretary of the Interior and the Service on recreational fishing and boating issues.
"Recreational boating enriches family life and strengthens childrens connections to nature," said Council Chair, Ryck Lydecker. "The BIG program, which boaters pay for, has become a key element to help them continue that tradition."
For the first time, Arkansas, Georgia, Rhode Island, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin will receive a competitive BIG grant. The Service received 35 proposals from 20 states for these competitive grants.
The 15 winning proposals for competitive grants include:
Alabama: The Alabama Department of Environmental Management, in cooperation with the Huntsville/Madison County Marina and Port Authority, will receive nearly $345,000 and match that amount with more than $500,000 to construct nine slips for visiting boats and a fuel pier at the Ditto Landing Transient Boating Facilities.
Arkansas: The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, in cooperation with JAPB LLC, will receive $1 million and match that amount with more than $3 million to construct a dual purpose wave break and tie-up facility for up to 36 visiting boats in Little Rock.
California: The California Department of Boating and Waterways, in cooperation with the City of Stockton, will receive nearly $1.4 million and match that amount with nearly $1.4 million to construct new dockage for up to 46 visiting boats throughout the Stockton Marina. The proposed facilities will include dockside utilities and other amenities.
The California Department of Boating and Waterways, in cooperation with San Francisco Waterfront Partners, will receive more than $425,000 and match that amount with the same to construct dockage for 22 visiting boats as part of the larger rehabilitation project on San Francisco Piers 1
