Boat Launching Facilities Grant Program

Boat Launching Facilities Grant Program is sponsored by California State Parks' Division of Boating and Waterways (DBW). This program offers grants to public agencies with facilities serving both motorized and non-motorized recreational vessels. Funding can be used to design, engineer, permit, and construct new public recreational boat launching facilities or improve existing ones.

Boat Launching Facilities Grant Boat Launching Facilities Grant Alert Something is happening and people are freaking out. BOAT LAUNCHING FACILITY 2026/2027 SUPPLEMENTAL GRANT APPLICATION California State Parks Division of Boating and Waterways (DBW) is providing public agencies with facilities serving both motorized and non-motorized recreational vessels an opportunity to apply for inland Boat Launching Facility grants.

Funding can be used to design, engineer, permit, and construct new public recreational boat launching facilities or for improvements to existing facilities. Applications are due no later than 12 p. m.

, May 22, 2026 . Approximately $11. 8 million of one-time Waterway Connections Initiative (WCI) funding is available for this grant opportunity.

WCI funding was allocated to expand inland waterway-related outdoor access in regions with communities of populations of more than 2,500 located near a river or other inland waterway. Projects meeting the WCI criteria are encouraged to apply. Prior to starting a grant application, review the 25-minute applicant workshop available here and presentation deck available here .

This workshop provides an overview of the BLF program, OLGA, the grant application process, scoring criteria and recommendations for writing a competitive application.

Project Grantee Grant Amount Marin County Parks Department United States Bureau of Reclamation Truckee-Donner Recreation and Parks District United States Bureau of Reclamation United States Forest Service Sonoma County Regional Parks San Bernardino County Regional Parks Merced Irrigation District United States Forest Service-Trinity Shasta Owens River Water Trail NMBLF Inyo County Water District San Mateo Harbor County Harbor District Rock Creek Lake BLF (Construction) United States Forest Service-Inyo Grants and loans are available for recreational boating facilities with public access.

Grants and loans are awarded on a competitive basis as funding allows. Grants are made to qualifying public agencies to fund facilities such as boat launching ramps, boarding floats, associated parking areas, restrooms, and lighting for motorized and non-motorized boaters. Loans are made to qualifying public and private entities to pay for improvements to marinas.

Application Overview and Instructions Application Packet Checklist Boat Launching Facility (BLF) Grant Ranking Worksheet NON-MOTORIZED BOAT LAUNCHING FACILITY GRANTS Non-Motorized Boating Facility Grant Ranking Worksheet Ramp Repair and Modification Grant Ranking Worksheet The Public and Private Marina Loan programs are suspended pending the outcome of a current evaluative process and identification of a funding source.

If you are interested in further information about a potential future loan funded by these programs, contact Casey Caldwell at: casey. caldwell@parks. ca.

gov . Resolution Samples and Instructions Layout, Design and Construction Handbook for Small Craft Boat Launching Facilities (1991 ) Layout & Design Guidelines for Boat Launching Facilities (2021 ) Layout & Design Guidelines for Berthing Marinas (2005) Each individual project must be approved through the State budget process.

Once DBW begins reviewing the applications, they will become part of the State's confidential budget-making process, and DBW will be unable to provide updates on the status of applications. However, we will send notifications to applicants to acknowledge receipt of complete applications, and we will contact applicants during the review process if we need additional or updated information about a project.

When the Governor’s budget is released in January 2026, it will usually include a list of projects that are proposed to the Legislature for grant funding in fiscal year 2026-2027. DBW expects the State budget to be finalized in June 2026. DBW typically prepares grant agreements for approved projects several months thereafter.

DBW grant funds are not available to grantees until a fully executed grant agreement is in place. DBW will not fund any project work that occurs before that time. For more information, please contact Joe Dux at Joe.

Dux@parks. ca. gov .