The Boating Infrastructure Grant Program provides funds for tie-up facilities and support facilities for transient vessels greater than 26 feet in length for stays of up to 15 days.

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Established in 1998, the Boating Infrastructure Grant Program (BIG) provides funding to states to provide greater access to the recreational, cultural, historic, scenic and natural resources within the United States for boats that are 26 feet or more in length (large cruising boats).

Bath Maine Transient Docks
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There are over 675,000 large cruising boats in the U.S. which have a significant economic impact on waterfront communities. The BIG program funds projects designed to improve docking and comfort facilities to better accommodate these boats.

Projects funded through the BIG program have many benefits, including:

  • Strengthening local community ties to transient boaters and marine manufacturers
  • Raising awareness of the economic benefits of recreational boating
  • Promoting public/private partnerships and entrepreneurial opportunities
  • Providing continuity of access to coastal communities
  • Promoting awareness of transient boating opportunities
  • Providing areas of safe harbor for transient boaters


By partnering with state boating agencies, funds directed through the Boating Infrastructure Grant program in the U.S. have expanded opportunities for boating and water-related recreation and the economies and communities they support.

Funds for the BIG program are provided annually from the Sport Fish Restoration and Boating Trust Fund and are derived from excise taxes on fishing equipment, motorboat and small engine fuels, import duties, and interest on the fund.

Latest Stories and Topics

Stories
Recreation
Boating Infrastructure Grants Support MEGADOCK, Boating Community, and Waterfront Access
Boating offers a gateway to the outdoors, adventure, and a unique way to travel. The United States contains over 90,000 miles of coastline, over three million lakes, and over 3 million miles of rivers offering plenty of opportunities to spend time on the water making memories. Around the Nation,...
A young girl and her mother laugh as they enjoy fishing on a boat in the middle of a lake in the summer.
Recreation
How Boating and Fishing Manufacturers Support Conservation and Recreation
For more than half a century, America’s fishing equipment manufacturers have shared a partnership with state and federal biologists through the Dingell-Johnson Act — a partnership that uses excise tax to fund remarkable fisheries conservation and recreation. Each year the U.S. Fish and Wildlife...
A coastal view of Guam National Wildlife Refuge that overlooks the ocean. The land is covered in lush, green plant live. The clouds paint a grey hue across the sky where it meets the ocean in the distance.
Our Partners
Shelter from the Storm
On May 24, 2023, Typhoon Mawar struck Guam. The storm hit the island with 140 mph winds knocking out power and flooding buildings. A rain gauge in Dededo measured 28.42 inches of rain, most of which fell within three hours. Although Typhoon Mawar was the strongest storm to hit the island in 20...
View of Port of Toledo in Oregon
Recreation
Service Provides $21 Million in Grants for Boating Infrastructure, Local Communities and Water Recreation
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service today announced more than $21 million in Boating Infrastructure Grant funding to support construction, renovation and maintenance of marinas and other boating facilities for outdoor recreation and waterway access. This year’s grants will support projects in 21...
3 people in boat fishing
Recreation
$20M to Support Boating Infrastructure, Local Communities and Outdoor Recreation
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service today announced more than $20 million in grant funding to assist states and territories in the construction, renovation and maintenance of marinas and other boating facilities for outdoor recreation. Reauthorized by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, this year’s...
Rochester Transient Docks
20 States to Share More Than $18 Million in U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Grants for Boating Infrastructure
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Boating Infrastructure Grant (BIG) program will provide more than $18 million in much-needed grant funding for 20 states to construct, renovate and maintain marinas and other boating facilities for outdoor recreation.
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Our Library

Port Townsend Marina, Washington
Boating Infrastructure Grant (BIG) Awards
This library includes information on funding for the Boating Infrastructure Grant (BIG) program administered by the Service's Office of Conservation Investment. Boating Infrastructure Grants provide much needed funding to marinas and other boating facilities for outdoor recreation. Projects must...
Library Collection
9 Items
FY 2024 BIG Tier 1 Funding by State
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FY 2024 BIG Tier 1 Funding by State

Spreadsheet showing FY2024 Boating Infrastructure Grant Tier 1 fund allocations, by state. 

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FY 2024 BIG Tier 2 Funding
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FY 2024 BIG Tier 2 Funding

Spreadsheet showing FY2024 Boating Infrastructure Grant Tier 2 funding, by state. BIG Tier 2 is a competitive grant program.

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FY 2024 BIG Tier 2 Funded Application Summaries
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FY 2024 BIG Tier 2 Funded Application Summaries

Brief summaries of projects funded in FY2024 through the competitive Tier 2 Boating Infrastructure Grant Program. Projects are organized alphabetically by state and name. 

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