HARRISBURG – Senator Dan Laughlin (R-Erie) announced that the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC) is accepting applications for its Boating Facility Grant Program through Dec. 30 to help communities capitalize on the surge in new boating activity.
The Boating Facility Grant Program provides funding to benefit public boating facilities located on the waters of the Commonwealth. Specifically, it may be used for site acquisitions, development, expansion, preventions of the spread of aquatic invasive species and rehabilitation of recreational boat access facilities. Eligible construction projects include boat ramps, courtesy floats, restrooms, access roads, parking areas and signs. Funds may also be used to make facilities ADA compliant. Funding requests require a 50% match.
Pennsylvania offers many wonderful recreational opportunities, including those that are water-based. This grant program helps offset costs to offer Commonwealth residents additional boating locations, as well as to keep the ones we already have in great condition,” Sen Laughlin said. “Given the renewed interest people have in spending time outdoors following the pandemic, the funding is especially beneficial.”
PFBC encourages townships, boroughs, and municipal and county governments to apply. Nonprofit groups (501c3) including land trusts, conservancies and watershed associations may also apply. Private businesses and service clubs are not eligible for direct funding but are encouraged to partner with their local county or municipality.
For the 2022 grants, the PFBC will accept applications from anywhere in the state. It will give special consideration to projects that provide public boating access in the Delaware River watershed, thanks to the availability of additional funding through the Delaware Watershed Conservation Fund.
The fund, created in 2018, is funded by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and administered by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation to achieve the goals of the Delaware River Basin Conservation Act. The act guides and supports federal, state, regional and local partners to collaboratively identify, prioritize and implement habitat restoration and conservation activities within the watershed.
More information about the Boating Facility Grant Program and the application is available here.
Contacts: Senator Laughlin Matt Azeles mazeles@pasen.gov