Boating Infrastructure Grant (BIG) Program

The South Carolina Boating Infrastructure Grant (BIG) Program is administered by the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR) in partnership with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) under the authority of the Sport Fishing and Boating Safety Act of 1998 (16 U.S.C. 777g). This initiative was created in response to a national concern over the limited availability of tie-up facilities for transient, nontrailerable recreational boats. These boats, typically 26 feet or longer and operated for pleasure, often face difficulty in accessing recreational, cultural, and historic sites due to a lack of docking infrastructure along coastlines and navigable rivers. The program provides competitive grant funding for the development, renovation, and maintenance of boating infrastructure in South Carolina specifically for transient recreational vessels staying 15 days or fewer. Infrastructure eligible for funding includes mooring buoys, day-docks, transient slips, dinghy docks, floating docks, fixed piers, and safe harbors. Additional facilities such as restrooms, showers, bulkheads, dockside utilities, fueling stations, and pumpout systems may also qualify. One-time dredging, provided necessary permits are obtained, is also considered an allowable cost. Projects must benefit the public and ensure reasonable access to all recreational vessels, even though funding is focused on transient portions of facilities. Funding is categorized into two tiers. Tier I grants are capped at $300,000 per state, with South Carolina selecting eligible projects up to the state’s total allocation. Tier II grants are nationally competitive, with available federal funds ranging from $9 million to $14 million per cycle and individual awards not exceeding $1.5 million per project. Both tiers must align with federal eligibility requirements outlined in 50 CFR 86.20, and all projects are subject to federal review, environmental compliance, and permitting before funds are obligated. Eligibility is open to publicly and privately owned marina facilities in South Carolina that are open to the public. Applicants must meet federal compliance requirements, including registration in the SC Procurement System, DUNS registration, and SAM.gov enrollment. Projects that do not offer public benefit, degrade natural or historic areas, or involve operations and routine maintenance are not eligible. Applications for FY 2027 are due to SCDNR by 5:00 PM on July 1, 2026. All proposals must be submitted electronically to [email protected]. Applications are reviewed by SCDNR before recommendations are forwarded to USFWS. Final funding is contingent upon compliance with permitting and documentation requirements. Awards are announced in March following the submission cycle, and funded projects may commence once the Subrecipient Agreement is executed. The BIG Program promotes economic, recreational, and environmental benefits by improving infrastructure for recreational boaters and enhancing public access to waterways. SCDNR supports applicants through technical assistance leading up to submission, with early-stage guidance available from January through June. The program is recurring, with anticipated future rounds issued annually.

Applicants should follow 50 CFR Part 86 regulations closely and ensure all permit and compliance documentation is complete before applying.