Boating Infrastructure Grant Program (BIG)

Boating Infrastructure Grant Program (BIG) is sponsored by Washington State Recreation and Conservation Office. Funding to develop, renovate, or plan facilities targeting recreational boats 26 feet and larger.

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Boating Infrastructure Grant Program This federal grant program provides funding to develop, renovate, or plan for boating facilities targeting guest recreational boats twenty-six feet and larger. Grants also may be used for boater education.

Grant Application Schedule Application Webinar, Applications Open View the recorded webinar July 22, 2026 - July 29, 2026 Technical Completion Deadline August 19, 2026 - August 26, 2026 RCO Submits Application to U.S. Fish and Wildlife September 1, 2026 - September 30, 2026 Projects Selected for Award Most recent grants and evaluation results, listed by the application year.

Applicant Authorization Resolution Certification of Applicant Match Form Department of Natural Resources Scope of Work Acknowledgement Form Electronic Signature Authorization Form Fiscal Data Collection Sheet Assurances for Construction Programs (SF-424D) Federal Assurances for Non-construction Program (SF-424B Individual) National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) Checklist Manual 4: Development Projects 2024 Application Webinar Slides RCO’s Application Webinar recording is now available!

National publication BoatUs gives BIG high praise Installing utilities to moorage docks Building moorage docks and floats Some special purpose districts, such as park and recreation districts or public utility districts, are eligible if legally authorized to acquire and develop public outdoor recreation facilities. Funding generally is awarded every two years.

Funding comes through the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service from federal gas taxes deposited in the federal Aquatic Resources Trust Fund. Tier 1 generally receives $300,000 annually. Tier 2 projects compete nationally for an average of $8 million to $12 million annually.

Awards to Washington State projects vary. Project Category Grant Limit Tier 1 Applicants must ask for $5,000 to $288,046. Tier 2 Applicants must ask for $300,001 to $1,440,230.

All applicants must contribute 25 percent in matching resources.

For applicants other than tribes and stage agencies, at least 10 percent of the total project cost must be from a non-state, Match may include the following: Donations of cash, land, labor, equipment, and materials State, local, and private grants Applicant’s labor, equipment, and materials Development, renovation, and planning only for the following: Boarding floats, guest moorage floats, fixed docks, piers, buoys Upland support facilities such as restrooms, showers, utilities Education and information publications such as charts, Construction or renovation of boating infrastructure for the following: Tie-up slips for stays of more than fifteen consecutive days by a single party Features for trailerable or car-top boats (those less than twenty-six feet long), such as launch ramps and carry-down walkways Dredging costs exceeding $200,000 Property developed or renovated with these grants must be kept for the useful life of the facility.

Nondiscrimination Statement Some upcoming grant application deadlines may be adjusted due to the government shutdown. Find deadline updates on the corresponding grant pages. PRISM, RCO’s database for grant project management, is unavailable.

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