Boating Infrastructure Grants

Program objectives

To provide construction of recreational boating facilities in the state that meet the following goals:

• Create dockage for transient recreational boats 26 feet or larger in order to provide access to recreational opportunities and safe harbors;
• Provide navigational aids for transient boaters using these facilities;
• Enhance access to recreational, historic, cultural, natural, and scenic resources;
• Strengthen local ties to the boating community and its economic benefits;
• Promote public/private partnerships and entrepreneurial opportunities;
• Provide continuity of public access to the water, and;
• Promote awareness of transient boating opportunities.

Criteria

All facilities constructed under this program must be:

• Designed to accommodate boats 26 feet or greater in length;
• Used by transient boaters (boaters not at their home port and staying not more than 15 consecutive days);
• Open to the public;
• No commercial uses or seasonal slips allowed;
• Designed and constructed to last at least 20 years;
• Continue to be used for their original stated grant purpose; and
• Maintained throughout their useful life.

Activities that are not allowed under the program include:

• Routine custodial and/or janitorial maintenance activities (those that occur regularly on an annual or more frequent basis);
• Construction of slips for long-term rental (more than 15 days);
• Construction or maintenance of facilities designed for trailerable boats;
• Maintenance or dredging;
• Dry land storage or haul out facilities;
• Activities or construction that does not provide public benefit.

On-site investigation by DNR staff may be required to determine suitability of proposed work; applicant may be required to document area boating demand.

Additional state requirements

Waterways Grant-in-Aid Program Requirements.

Eligibility

Local units of government (city, village, township or county), public universities, and private facilities.

Application process

1. Submit Boating Infrastructure Grant Program application form to Department of Natural Resources, PRD.
2. Submit a Boating Infrastructure Grant Program Proposal.
3. Technical review of applications will be conducted by PRD staff. After April 1, grant applications are potentially recommended to proceed with a final version of a proposal to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

Deadline

Applications must be received by April 1 at 5 p.m.

Timeline(s)

The grant application initial review and funding process begins April 1. If the application is approved to proceed, the applicant will then be asked to develop and complete a proposal and associated federal forms to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service by the end of September (exact date to be announced). If the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service approves the project, the applicant will then be asked to submit a full package of required documents and sign a third-party agreement with the DNR before proceeding with final engineering documents and construction.

Dollar amount(s) available

Grant funding covers 75% of the total approved project costs for construction of infrastructure improvement projects started after formal award of the Boating Infrastructure funding. The remaining cost-share funds must come from applicants based on non-federal sources.

Source(s) of funds

Sport Fish Restoration Account (federal funds).

Authority

Annual appropriation from the Sport Fish Restoration Account of the Aquatic Resources Trust Fund pursuant to the Sport Fishing and Boating Safety Act.

Contact(s)

For more information, contact Curt Wemple at 231-444-8029 or WempleC1@Michigan.gov.