Boating Infrastructure Grants

The Boating Infrastructure Grant Program (BIGP) is a competitive national grant initiative administered through the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR), specifically under the Parks and Recreation Division’s Waterways Program. Funded by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) via the Sport Fish Restoration Account of the Aquatic Resources Trust Fund, the program is designed to support infrastructure improvements for harbors across the state of Michigan. The primary objective is to enhance access and services for transient recreational boaters operating vessels 26 feet or longer in length. The BIGP plays a crucial role in maintaining Michigan’s reputation as a prime destination for boating by investing in public-use harbor facilities that support economic vitality and recreation. Eligible applicants for this grant program include local units of government, such as cities, villages, townships, and counties, as well as privately owned harbors and marinas. The program focuses exclusively on funding harbor engineering and infrastructure components; commercial uses or seasonal slips are not allowed. The infrastructure must remain open to the public and maintain its intended use for at least 20 years, aligning with the DNR’s definition of the facility’s useful life. Applicants must demonstrate the harbor’s compliance with requirements such as accommodating only transient boats of appropriate size and remaining accessible to the general public. Additional application requirements are in place to support rigorous vetting of potential projects. Publicly owned harbors must submit an approved Harbor/Marina Facilities 5-Year Recreation Plan, including details on facility size, dredging schedules and volume, marketing strategies, maintenance schedules, and infrastructure replacement cycles. Historical documentation, including harbor traffic logs and financial summaries for the past three years, is also required. These documents help the DNR assess the long-term viability and need for each proposed project. The grant funds up to 75% of total eligible project costs, with the remaining 25% to be covered by non-federal sources contributed by the applicant. Applications proposing higher match contributions receive additional preference during the scoring process. Pre-award costs may also be eligible for reimbursement if specifically approved in the application process. While the funding support is substantial, the application and review process is notably competitive and can span up to 18 months from the initial application to final project approval and construction commencement. The application cycle begins each year on April 1, with that date also serving as the deadline for submission. All required application materials must be submitted to the DNR Parks and Recreation Division's Waterways Grant Coordinator by 5:00 p.m. on that day. If April 1 falls on a weekend, the deadline rolls to the next Monday. The DNR reviews applications for completeness and technical merit before approved applicants are invited to submit a full proposal to the USFWS by the end of September. The USFWS conducts its own winter review, and successful awards are announced the following spring. For more information about the program or application support, interested parties are encouraged to contact Curt Wemple at 231-444-8029 or via email at [email protected]. Detailed guidance, application forms, and reporting templates are available through the Michigan DNR website. This annual funding opportunity serves as a strategic investment in Michigan’s recreational boating infrastructure and supports long-term community access and economic benefits for water-based recreation.

Ensure compliance with DNR engineering and review requirements. Projects must adhere to all timelines, signage rules, and federal aid visibility. Pre-approval of services, contracts, and budgets is mandatory.