SACRAMENTO — Marina operators and other eligible entities have only a few days remaining to signal their interest in federal funding for projects designed to improve facilities serving larger transient recreational vessels.
California State Parks’ Division of Boating and Waterways (DBW) is accepting letters of intent for the federal Boating Infrastructure Grant program, commonly known as BIG.
The program provides funding for the construction and renovation of boating facilities used by transient recreational vessels 26 feet or longer staying for fewer than 15 days. Grants can cover up to 75% of eligible project costs, with a maximum award of $1.5 million.
Marina operators and other interested applicants should act quickly. Letters of intent must be submitted by 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 29.
Funding for the program comes from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Trust Fund. BIG is intended to expand and improve infrastructure that allows transient boaters aboard larger recreational vessels to access shoreside destinations.
Eligible improvements can include visitor docks, gangways, restrooms and dockside utility connections. Projects also may focus on improving access to recreational, historic, cultural and scenic resources while strengthening connections between waterfront communities and visiting boaters.
Beyond adding infrastructure, the program is intended to encourage public-private partnerships, increase the economic benefits associated with waterfront access and maintain recreational boating access between larger vessels and shoreside communities.
Projects are selected competitively. Applicants should first review DBW’s program requirements to determine whether their proposed projects qualify.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service evaluates grant requests based on several factors, including regional need, public access, cost efficiency, availability of matching funds and innovative approaches to improving access to waterways.
DBW serves as California’s pass-through entity for the federal program. The division reviews applications and forwards the strongest eligible California projects to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, where they compete with applications submitted by other states and territories.
If a California project receives federal funding, DBW oversees the project through completion to ensure federal grant requirements are met.
Previous BIG-funded projects in California include the San Pedro Public Market Dock, completed in 2022, and the Etenesh Zeleke Public Dock in West Sacramento, completed in 2021.
For marina operators, municipalities and other eligible organizations considering dock or shoreside improvements for transient vessels, the immediate step is submitting a letter of intent before the Sept. 29, 2026, deadline.
Program guidelines, eligibility requirements and application information are available through the California Division of Boating and Waterways BIG program page. Questions may be directed to DBW representative Ethan Tratner at [email protected] or (916) 902-8823.
