Boating Infrastructure Grant (BIG) Program
Forecasted
Boating Infrastructure Grant (BIG) Program supports California boating facility owners with construction and renovation funding to improve transient boaters’ access to waterfront facilities and destinations.
Funder: California Department of Parks and Recreation
Due Dates (Anticipated): August 2027 (Application) | September 2027 (Letter of Intent)
Funding Amounts: Tier I: up to $300,000; Tier II: over $300,000 to $1.5 million per project; minimum 25% match of eligible project costs
Summary: Funds publicly accessible boating infrastructure for transient recreational vessels at least 26 feet long and staying 15 days or less.
Key Information: Full proposals are accepted only from applicants invited through the competitive Letter of Intent process.
Description
The Boating Infrastructure Grant (BIG) Program supports construction and renovation of visitor facilities for transient recreational vessels in California. California State Parks’ Division of Boating and Waterways (DBW) implements the program as a pass-through entity, with federal funding administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Program. Facilities may be publicly or privately owned but must remain publicly accessible.
Supported improvements include visitor docks, utilities, mooring buoys, navigational aids, gangways, marine fueling stations, dredging, and restrooms. The program aims to enhance access to recreational, historic, cultural, and scenic resources while maintaining public shore access. It also seeks to strengthen community connections to the water, support associated economic benefits, promote public/private partnerships and entrepreneurial opportunities, and increase awareness of transient boating opportunities.
