US Fish & Wildlife Service Hands Out Boating Grants

Projects to enhance facilities for boaters in 32 different jurisdictions received funding under the Boating Infrastructure Grant Program.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has announced nearly $14 million in grants as part of its Boating Infrastructure Grant Program.

Announced at the Palm Beach International Boat Show in Florida, the grants will support projects to construct, renovate and maintain marinas and other facilities in 32 states, commonwealths and territories. Grantees may also utilize funds to produce and distribute information and educational materials about the program and recreational boating.

“Our recreational boats and boat docks share the water with fish and wildlife species critical to our ecology and economy,” said service director Dan Ashe. “In the same way good hunting practices and land stewardship benefit terrestrial wildlife, boating facilities can benefit aquatic species by keeping waterways clean and driving revenues to state wildlife agencies through fishing that can be placed back into conservation. It’s a cycle of success. Not only do these grants help to create safe and improved recreational boating facilities and provide improved access to boating and fishing opportunities — they put people to work.”

Funding for the BIG program comes from the Sport Fish Restoration and Boating Trust Fund, which boaters and manufacturers support through excise and other taxes on certain fishing and boating equipment and gasoline. It must be matched by the states at a rate of $1 for every $3 of federal funds.

A full list of grant recipients is available of the agency’s website, at www.fws.gov