Boating Infrastructure Grant Program (BIGP)
Alert: Build America, Buy America Act Waiver Granted to DOI-funded Projects
The Build America, Buy America Act (BABA) requires all infrastructure projects funded with federal financial assistance to use steel, iron, manufactured products, and construction materials that are produced in the United States. On July 13, 2022, the Department of Interior (DOI) approved a six-month waiver to this requirement for all DOI projects, including the Boating Infrastructure Grants, to allow recipients time to implement the requirements of the BABA Act without disrupting ongoing projects or delaying the start of new projects. More information can be found in the waiver notice and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service BABA Fact Sheet.
The Boating Infrastructure Grant Program (BIGP) provides funding through competitive grants for tie-up facilities for transient recreational boats 26 feet or longer (non-trailerable). This program is funded by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
Technical Assistance for Applicants
Recently, the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission held four online technical assistance sessions for potential applicants interested in the Florida Boating Improvement Program and the Boating Infrastructure Grant Program. Below is a recording of one of the sessions. Also, the Technical Assistance Presentation is available for download. For more information, please call the Boating and Waterways Section at (850) 488-5600 or email FBIP@MyFWC.com or BIGP@MyFWC.com.
Program Timeline
- January – April: Potential applicants reach out to FWC for guidance
- April 1 – June 1: FWC assists applicants in developing proposals
- July 1: Applications due to FWC by 5:00 p.m. (Applications received after 7/1 will not be considered)
- July: FWC review of applications. FL Tier I & Tier 2 selections are announced
- August: FWC enters applications into the FGTS and prepares applications for submission into GrantSolutions.gov
- September: FWC recommendations are due to USFWS through GrantSolutions.gov
- April: USFWS notifies FWC and announces awards. Award does not necessarily guarantee funding, which is contingent upon:
- Receiving all required permits
- Receiving all required compliance documents
- Successful disbursement of funds from USFWS.
- Grantee provides documentation to FWC that the required permits (FLDEP; USACE) have been acquired for the awarded project. FWC submits permits through the compliance process
- Once all requirements are met, USFWS obligates funding and FWC and applicant enter into Subrecipient Agreement and work can begin
Proposals are due to FWC no later than 5:00 PM on 07/01/2023
- Proposals are to be submitted to FWC and not directly to GrantSolutions.gov.
- Follow published rules closely, as detailed in the Federal Final BIG Rule (50 CFR Part 86).
- One hardcopy and one electronic copy is to be submitted by the deadline to:
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
Boating and Waterways Section
Attn: BIGP Administrator
620 South Meridian Street
Tallahassee, FL 32399-6000
BigP@MyFWC.com
Types of Funding Available
There are two types of grants, Tier I and Tier II:
Tier I Projects
In any given funding cycle, the State of Florida may receive a total of $200,000 for Tier I projects. All Tier I projects must meet the eligibility requirements of 50 CFR 86.20. Each Tier I project cannot exceed $200,000; however, the State of Florida may select one (1) or as many Tier I projects as are eligible so long as the aggregate of these projects does not total more than that year's funding cycle allotment. Tier One projects compete against other Florida projects for funding.
Tier II Projects
In any given funding cycle, and on a nationally competitive basis, the National Boating Infrastructure Grant Program expects to make available between $9 million and $14 million for Tier II projects nationally. There is no dollar for Tier II projects, although Federal Funds per project cannot exceed $1.5 million dollars. All Tier II projects must meet the eligibility requirements of 50 CFR 86.20. Each project will compete nationally against every other project in Tier II. Tier II projects compete against other Florida projects and if selected by the committee, they compete on a National Level.
Eligible Applicants: Local Governments, Native American Tribes, Port Districts, Nonprofit Organizations, Private Organizations, State Agencies, some special purpose districts, if legally authorized to acquire and develop public outdoor recreation facilities.
Eligible activities include, but are not limited to:
- Construction or renovation of boating infrastructure such as:
- slips
- floating docks
- fixed piers and breakwaters
- day docks
- dinghy docks
- restrooms and showers
- mooring systems
- dockside utilities
- marine fueling stations
- dredging
- Engineering, planning, and permitting
- Installation of navigational aids
- Production of educational materials
If you have any questions, send email to BigP@MyFWC.com or call 850-488-5600.
Current Projects
| Grantee | Project Description | Grant Amount | Total Project Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Camachee Island Company, St. Augustine | Marina Expansion | $772,000 | $1,544,000 |
| City of Bradenton | Twin Dolphin Marina - Transient Docks | $910,183 | $1,541,972 |
| City of Fort Pierce | Fort Pierce City Marina - Dinghy Dock | $190,688 | $425,725 |
| City of Key West | Garrison Bight Marina - Transient Docks | $500,000 | $900,000 |
| City of Miami Beach | Miami Beach Mooring Field | $117,000 | $156,000 |
| City of St. Petersburg | Municipal Marina Transient Docks | $632,000 | $989,000 |
| Harbor View Marina | Transient Slips | $220,120 | $301,960 |
| Harborage Marina, St. Petersburg | Salt Creek Transient Dock Expansion | $850,014 | $1,740,029 |
| Lofton Island Partners, LLC | Lofton Island Marina | $1,098,391 | $2,241,615 |
| Melbourne Riverwalk Marina | Marina Construction | $1,500,000 | $4,095,597 |
| New Port Tampa Bay CDD | West Shore Marina District | $323,951 | $661,127 |
| Port Canaveral Yacht Club | Transient Docks | $126,901 | $272,402 |
| Town of Fort Myers Beach | Matanzas Harbor Mooring Field | $43,000 | $104,730 |