Boating Access Grant
Boating Access Grant supports municipalities, agencies, and nonprofits in building, improving, and maintaining public boating facilities to expand access and support safer recreation on Utah’s waterways.
Funder: Division of Outdoor Recreation
Due Dates: September 1, 2026 (Applications open) | October 16, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. (Application deadline)
Funding Amounts: Typical subapplicant award: $500,000; approximately $1.1 million awarded to Utah; federal funding covers up to 75% of eligible costs
Summary: Federal funding supports development, improvement, operation, and maintenance of public recreational boating access and related facilities throughout Utah.
Key Information: Projects must be open to the public, and a minimum 25% nonfederal match is required.
Description
The Boating Access Grant provides federal Dingell-Johnson Sport Fish Restoration funding for facilities that create or improve public recreational boating access to Utah’s waterways. Utah’s Division of Wildlife Resources administers the program in coordination with the Division of Outdoor Recreation and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Office of Conservation Investment. The program aims to enhance and maintain waterway accessibility while educating recreational boaters about environmental considerations.
Funding supports new facilities and renovation of existing infrastructure, including launching and docking facilities, access roads, parking, and boating visitor amenities. Eligible work also includes navigation improvements, planning and engineering, outreach, and operation and maintenance of boating access facilities. Aquatic invasive species projects can support decontamination stations, clean/drain/dry areas, and educational signage. A portion of Utah’s Sport Fish Restoration funding is specifically dedicated to motorboat access projects.
