Connecticut’s Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) is pleased to offer a Request for Application under the Boating Infrastructure Grant Program.  The DEEP is administering this for the Department of the Interior, US Fish and Wildlife Service.  Congress created this program recognizing that insufficient tie-up facilities exist for transient boats for reasonable and convenient access from our navigable waters.  Specifically, boaters are unable to access many recreational, cultural, historic, scenic, and natural resources of the United States.

The USFWS is making an estimated total of $13 million available nationwide for transient amenities in FY 2018.  Monies are made available through federal excise taxes on fishing equipment and motorboat fuels and import duties on vessels. The grant is designed to provide federal funds to public and private agencies, marinas and other facilities for the creation or renovation of tie-up facilities for transient recreational boats 26 feet or larger. 

“We have long been successful at providing boat launch access for smaller recreational boats, and now with the support of the Federal Boating Infrastructure Grant Program (BIG) we are able to provide the same high quality access for larger recreational vessels,” said DEEP Commissioner Klee.  “Facilities for larger boats are critical for tourism and economic growth in Connecticut, and we hope that Connecticut and out-of-state boaters alike take the opportunity to enjoy these transient boating destinations and enjoy all that the Connecticut River and our shoreline have to offer.”

DEEP will be accepting applications for two levels of funding for the FY 2018 round of grants.

The deadline for the next cycle of grant applications is August 1, 2017.

For guidelines and application for funding please visit the State of Connecticut’s Contracting Portal Solicitation site on BizNet at https://www.biznet.ct.gov/scp_search/BidDetail.aspx?CID=43802.  If you do not have Internet access, please contact Susanna Simonds, Official Agency Contact, for further information.

Please return ONE original set and FOUR COPIES of your application to:

Only complete applications received before the due date will be considered for funding.  Applicants for FY 2018 funds typically would be notified by March, 2018 of approval/denial of funding for project requests.  Approved projects can be expected to begin during the fall of 2018 contingent upon the allocation of federal funds.  Work must be completed within 3 years of project approval.