Interior Secretary Ken Salazar Announces Major Boating Grant for Illinois
Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar today announced a $3.1 million competitive grant will be awarded to Illinois Department of Natural Resources to construct amenities for transient boaters along the Lake Michigan waterfront in Chicago. The grant is one of more than 14 competitive grants to be awarded across the nation though the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Boating Infrastructure Grant (BIG) program, which helps fund construction of docks, boat slips and other facilities to support transient boating.
“Boating is one of our country’s favorite pastimes, and the Boating Infrastructure Grant program greatly enhances recreational opportunities while conserving America’s aquatic natural resources,” said Secretary Salazar. “Spending by boaters provides significant revenues for business owners and employees in every state. This program, funded by boaters, is a prime example of the direct economic benefits boating can bring to local economies.”
The Illinois Department of Natural Resources, in cooperation with the Chicago Park District, will match the $3.1 million in federal funds with nearly $32 million to construct 125 slips and associated amenities for transient boats as part of a major project to provide seasonal and transient marina infrastructure.
"Tourism, including recreational boating and fishing, is a major industry for Great Lakes coastal communities like the Chicago," said Tom Melius, Midwest Regional Director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. "The Service is proud to work with the State of Illinois to help increase boating opportunities in Lake Michigan and the rest of the Great Lakes to improve boating safety and infrastructure."
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. The Service will also release approximately $3 million to 40 states willing to match a smaller, non-competitive grant program known as BIG Tier One funding.
Boating Infrastructure Grant funds are used to construct, renovate and maintain tie-up facilities with features for transient boats (those staying 10 days or less) that are 26 feet or more in length and cannot be transported by trailer. The funds are also 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 ranked 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. The Service received a total of 31 proposals from 14 states for these competitive grants.
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