Boat Launching Facilities Grant
BOAT LAUNCHING FACILITY 2025/2026 GRANT APPLICATION & APPLICANT WORKSHOP
Waterways Connection Initiative (WCI) funding is a special project funding opportunity available to expand inland waterway-related access in communities with a population of 2,500 or more. For eligible agencies that wish to be considered for WCI funding, DBW is accepting applications for boat launching facility (BLF) projects in areas that meet these criteria now through 5:00pm December 2, 2024. Applications must be submitted in OLGA.
Applications for the Boat Launching Facility (BLF) 2026/2027 funding cycle are being accepted through the Online Grant Application (OLGA) system until 5:00pm February 3, 2025. The recorded applicant workshop provides and overview of the BLF program, OLGA, the grant application process, scoring criteria and recommendations for writing a competitive application. Prior to submitting an application, you should review the 25-minute applicant workshop available here and presentation deck available here.
| Project | Grantee | Grant Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Davies BLF Construction | City of Long Beach | $6,000,000 |
| Donner Lake BLF | Truckee-Donner Recreation and Parks District | $1,702,400 |
| Hudeman Slough BLF | Sonoma County Regional Parks | $754,000 |
| Lake Gregory NMBLF | San Bernardino County Regional Parks | $300,000 |
| Lake McClure BLF | Merced Irrigation District | $400,000 |
| Lake Webb West BLF | Kern County | $1,160,000 |
| Miller Park RR&M | City of Sacramento | $280,000 |
| Minersville BLF | United States Forest Service-Trinity Shasta | $4,850,000 |
| Owens River Water Trail NMBLF | Inyo County Water District | $110,000 |
| Pillar Point Harbor BLF | San Mateo Harbor County Harbor District | $400,000 |
| Rock Creek Lake BLF (Construction) | United States Forest Service-Inyo | $1,500,000 |
| Samoa BLF | City of Eureka | $200,000 |
| Ventura Harbor BLF | Ventura Port Harbor | $890,000 |
| Wiest Lake BLF | Imperial County | $1,430,000 |
Grants and Loans Available for Recreational Boating Facilities with Public Access
Grant and Loan applications are accepted via OLGA on a continuous basis.
- Boat Launching Facility
- Ramp Repair and Modification
- Non-Motorized Boat Launching Facility
Applications for Boat Launching Facilities (BLF), Non-Motorized Boat Launching Facilities, and Ramp Repair and Modification Grants submitted by 5:00pm February 3, 2025 will be considered for funding in the State's fiscal year 2026-2027 budget.
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.
Read the Application Overview and Instructions prior to beginning the application process. Review the Application Checklist prior to submitting an application, to ensure your submittal is complete. A resolution from your governing body is required. Sample applications can be downloaded from OLGA using the link above and these steps. 1) DO NOT log in, 2) Under "Current Grants" on the left side bar, choose Division of Boating and Waterways, 3) Click the blue link of the appropriate grant program, 4) Select the blue "Documents" tab and download the Egrams Application Form.
BOAT LAUNCHING FACILITY GRANTS FOR MOTORIZED BOATS
NON-MOTORIZED BOAT LAUNCHING FACILITY GRANTS
RAMP REPAIR AND MODIFICATION GRANTS
PRIVATE AND PUBLICLY OWNED RECREATIONAL MARINA LOANS
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.
RESOURCES:
- 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.