Boating Infrastructure Grants Tier 1 | Apply Online

Opportunity Summary:

The Boating Infrastructure Grants (BIG) Program, Tier 1, is a discretionary grant opportunity administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service under the authority of the Sportfishing and Boating Safety Act of 1998 (Public Law 105-178), codified at 16 U.S.C. 777g-1. The program was created to help fund the development and maintenance of boating infrastructure facilities that serve transient, nontrailerable recreational vessels. In practical terms, it is designed to improve access, safety, and basic services for larger recreational boats that travel from place to place and need short-term stops at marinas and similar facilities.

The opportunity focuses on two key definitions that drive eligibility and project purpose. First, the program targets nontrailerable recreational vessels, meaning recreational boats that are at least 26 feet in length and are operated primarily for pleasure, including boats that are leased, rented, or chartered for someone else to use for pleasure. Second, the supported boating use must be transient, which the program defines as passing through or staying at a location for up to ten days. That framing makes the program different from funding that supports long-term slip holders or purely local, day-use boating; BIG is meant to strengthen a network of places where traveling boaters can safely dock, access services, and continue their trips.

Eligibility for applicants is limited to state-level governments and equivalent jurisdictions. Specifically, the program is available to the 50 states, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and the U.S. territories of Guam, American Samoa, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. While local governments, port authorities, and marina operators are often involved in developing and operating boating facilities, this particular competition is structured so that the state (or territory/commonwealth) government is the eligible applicant and typical grant recipient, with projects implemented through state-managed processes and partnerships.

In terms of funding, the total estimated amount available for this Tier 1 opportunity is $5,600,000, with an expectation of around 25 awards. Individual awards have an upper limit (award ceiling) of $100,000, and the listed award floor is $0, indicating no minimum award amount is specified in the summary data. The program includes a cost-sharing or matching requirement, meaning grant recipients must contribute non-federal funds or allowable in-kind contributions as part of the total project cost, consistent with the program rules. The funding source ties back to the Sport Fish Restoration and Boating Trust Fund through amendments to the Dingell-Johnson Sport Fish Restoration Act (16 U.S.C. 777), and subsequent reauthorizations have continued to allow these expenditures and keep the BIG program operating.

The opportunity is categorized under community development, environment, and natural resources, reflecting how boating infrastructure can support recreational access and tourism while also requiring careful planning around waterfront resources. Although the short summary does not list specific project elements, the intent is centered on building or maintaining facilities that directly serve transient stays for larger recreational boats. That generally points to improvements such as transient docking capacity and related amenities and services needed by visiting boaters, rather than facilities primarily intended for trailered boats or long-term moorage.

Administratively, the grant listing is associated with Funding Opportunity Number F13AS00274 and CFDA (now Assistance Listing) number 15.622, labeled under the Sportfishing and Boating Safety Act. The opportunity was posted on July 26, 2013, with an application closing date of October 25, 2013, and an archive date of November 24, 2013. Questions or access issues related to the full announcement were directed to Paul VanRyzin, Biologist, Programs Branch, who is identified as the National Program Manager (phone 703-358-1849, email paulvanryzin@fws.gov).

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