NEWS RELEASE

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

March 27, 2001

CONTACT: Sandy Robertson (850) 487-3755

GRANT PROGRAM PROVIDES FUNDS FOR BOATING IMPROVEMENT

The Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is encouraging counties to apply for grants to improve recreational boating in their areas through the Florida Boating Improvement Program (FBIP).

FBIP provides competitive grant funding to county governments for enhancement of recreational boating throughout the state. The program receives funding through a portion of fuel taxes.

Eligible projects include recreational channel marking, public launching facilities and enhancements to existing facilities, aquatic plant control and other local boating-related issues, including education. Projects sited in counties with populations of 100,000 or less and coastal counties with a high level of non-resident boating activities are given high priority.

Applications will be accepted from April 2 through May 28. Municipalities may apply cooperatively through their county governments. This week, county administrators will receive electronic versions of the program guidelines and the application, which may be duplicated and shared for use by others.

For additional information, contact Sandy Robertson at (850) 487-3755 or through e-mail at FBIP@MyFWC.com.