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Waterways Program Grants

Waterways Program Grants

DNR Waterways Program Grants provide funding for engineering studies and infrastructure improvements projects at grant-in-aid harbors and public boating access sites. Local units of government (city, village, township and county) and state colleges and universities are eligible to apply.

Eligibility

Eligible applicants include local units of government (city, village, township and county) and state colleges and universities. Local units and universities may cooperate with sports/community organizations in the implementation of projects.

Large projects require a completed preliminary engineering study and permit approval prior to grant consideration.

Grant funding

For FY2025, the Michigan Legislature appropriated approximately $3.5 million for Waterways Program Grants.

  • Grant funding requires a 50% match of the estimated project cost.
  • Grant requests that include more than a 50% applicant fund match will be given additional preference.
  • An applicant fund match can include well-documented in-kind expenses.
  • Applicants not able to provide the 50% match, but can demonstrate a "qualified need" can still apply.
  • For additional information on a "qualified need," reach out to the program contact.

Application process

  • Submit application form.
  • DNR staff conducts a technical review.
  • Grants are awarded based on department review, prioritization and funding appropriation.

Deadline - April 1

All applications and supporting documents are due April 1 by 5 p.m. If that date falls on a Saturday or Sunday, the deadline is the following Monday.

Additional project criteria for harbor development applicants

Applicants submitting a Waterways Grant Program Application and select "Harbor" (not boating access sites) as the project type, must submit:

  • An approved Harbor/Marina Facilities 5-Year Recreation Plan (or amendment to the existing 5-year plan) through Grants Management that includes:
    1. A description of recreational plan elements such as facility size, marketing/events/partnering plans, dredging needs, dredging cycles (how often), dredge volume and dredge disposal location.
    2. A brief description of infrastructure replacement schedules, annual maintenance schedules and replacement or habilitation schedules of large investments like docks, buildings, etc.
    3. 5-year recreation plans must be be approved by grants management staff by the February 1 deadline.
  • Last three years of harbor traffic (harbor logs).
  • Last three years of financial summaries for the harbor.

Grant awards

Contact

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

Grant awards

  • mergency repair applications

    Community Grant request amount Community share Total project amount
    Schoolcraft Township Big Traverse Marina emergency repairs seawall replacement (Houghton County) $232,750 $12,250 $245,000
    City of Petoskey Municipal Marina emergency replacement of 30-year-old fuel storage tanks (Emmet County) $125,000 $125,000 $250,000
    FY24 Appropriated funds $3,319,900
    Eligible Project totals $2,167,398
    Remaining Balance $1,152,502

    Non-emergency repair applications

    Community Grant request amount Community share Total project amount
    Marquette County Big Bay Harbor master plan $30,000 $30,000 $60,000
    City of Harbor Beach Municipal Marina asphalt replacement (Huron County) $75,400 $76,200 $151,600
    City of Munising municipal boating access site preliminary engineering (Alger County) $15,500 $15,500 $31,000
    City of Manistee Marina phase 2 dock replacement (Manistee County) $203,000 $213,700 $416,700
    City of New Buffalo Marina electrical system upgrades (Berrien County) $189,481 $189,481 $378,962
    Alpena County Long Lake Park boat launch reconstruction $226,600 $226,600 $453,200
    Pere Marquette Township Community Access Pere Marquette River & Pere Marquette boating access site (Mason County) $183,000 $250,000 $433,000
    Waucedah Township boating access site upgrades (Dickinson County) $93,250 $93,250 $186,500
    Village of Empire Lake Michigan Beach Park boating access site seawall and navigation light upgrades (Leelanau County) $40,750 $40,750 $81,500
    City of Charlevoix Ferry Avenue boat launch skid pier replacement (Charlevoix County) $41,000 $41,000 $82,000
    City of New Buffalo Marina broadside dockage and erosion control (Berrien County) $500,000 $1,486,187 $1,986,18
    City of Detroit Erma Henderson Marina engineering for marina rehabilitation (Wayne County) $80,000 $80,000 $160,000
    Village of Mackinaw City Marina A dock electrical engineering (Cheboygan County) $12,500 $12,500 $25,000
    Elmwood Township Phase 3A seawall and building demo (Leelanau County) $378,000 $409,500 $787,500
    City of Ludington Municipal Marina Phase 3 dock and shoreline replacement (Mason County) $250,000 $250,000 $500,000
    Village of L'Anse Marina improvements, pier replacement and barrier wall construction (Baraga County) $60,000 $60,000 $120,000
    City of Marquette Presque Isle Marina pier removal & site improvements (Marquette County) $262,100 $262,100 $524,200
    City of Detroit Erma Henderson seawall replacement and marina rehab (Wayne County) $300,000 $300,000 $600,000
    Charlevoix County Whiting Park boat launch and parking area (Charlevoix County) $98,100 $187,100 $374,200
    City of Boyne City F. Grant Moore Municipal Marina phase II improvements (Charlevoix County) $500,000 $1,112,671 $1,612,671
    Non-emergency repair applications sub-total $3,538,681.19

    Partner funding requests

    Community Grant request amount Community share Total project amount
    US ACOE Project Harrisville Breakwall Repairs (Alcona County) $150,000
    Partner funding requests sub-total $150,000

    Totals, appropriations, funds available

    Application type Amount
    Emergency and Non-emergency Projects Total $3,896,431.19
    Partner requests $150,000
    All Projects Total $4,046,431.19
    FY21 Appropriation $3,472,500
    2020 available balance $288,383
    2019 available balance $177,989
    Remaining funds available ($107,559.19)

  • FY2024 Grant-In-Aid Waterways Grant Project Recommendations

    FY24 Available funds $3,319,900

    Community Grant # Grant Amount Requested Community Share Total Project Amount Evaluation Score
    Harbor Beach - Dredging WW24-001 $225,000.00 $225,000.00 $450,000.00 60
    Harbor Beach - Fuel Tank Tabulator WW24-002 $20,000.00 $20,000.00 $40,000.00 55
    Fenton Township - Canoe/Kayak Launch Hogan Rd Access WW24-003 $25,000.00 $41,511.00 $66,511.00 55
    Elk Rapids - Rotary Park Phase 2 WW24-004 $190,000.00 $200,430.00 $390,430.00 50
    Gladstone - Marina Renovation WW24-005 $172,800.00 $181,000.00 $353,800.00 50
    Missaukee County - BAS upgrades WW24-006 $267,500.00 $267,500.00 $535,000.00 50
    City of Bay City- Liberty Harbor B dock replacement WW24-007 $66,300.00 $66,300.00 $132,600.00 45
    Suttons Bay - Marina Public Buidling/Boater Services WW24-008 $406,016.00 $406,016.00 $812,032.00 45
    Suttons Bay - A Dock Phase 1/Upland Walkway WW24-009 $453,782.00 $453,782.00 $907,564.00 45
    Clark Township - Hessel Marina Preliminary Engineering WW24-010 $15,000.00 $15,000.00 $30,000.00 45
    Houghton County - Restroom and Shower Facilities WW24-011 $176,000.00 $44,000.00 $220,000.00 40
    Lake City - Wave attenuator Preliminary Engineering WW24-012 $150,000.00 $150,000.00 $300,000.00 30
    $2,167,398.00 $2,070,539.00 $4,237,937.00
    FY24 Appropriated funds $3,319,900.00
    Eligible Project totals $2,167,398.00
    Remaining Balance $1,152,502.00

    Non-eligible projects

    Community Grant # Grant Amount Requested Community Share Total Project Amount Evaluation Score
    Charlevoix Township - Access Rehabilitation $3,000.00 $225,000.00 $9,300.00 $12,300.00
    Resort Township - Resort Pike Park Lakeshore Reclamation $46,000.00 $69,000.00 $115,000.00 $40,000.00