The Department of Natural Resources administers two grant programs – one state and one federal – that support the needs of Maryland's general boating public. These programs and the associated grants are administered by the Engineering & Construction Services, Boating Access & Capital Waterway Improvement Program (the Program).
The Program accepts grant applications from local governments that aim to meet the highest-priority needs of the motorized boating public through projects related to improving navigation and dredging high-use channels, constructing or renovating public boating facilities, and providing public boating safety through the acquisition of marine fire/rescue vessels.
A. State Waterway Improvement Fund Grants
Maryland’s Waterway Improvement Fund (WIF) provides financial support to local governments, the department, and federal agencies in the form of grants and/or loans for a wide variety of capital projects for the benefit of the boating public.
Waterway Improvement Fund grants are only available to public jurisdictions.
Applications for State Waterway Improvement Funds can be submitted at the following
link between July and September for funding consideration in the following fiscal year.
Typically, jurisdictions apply for Waterway Improvement Fund grants in order to:
- Construct, renovate, or maintain public boating access facilities;
- Dredge high-use navigable channels and harbors;
- Purchase fire and rescue vessels in partnership with local fire departments.
Maryland’s Waterway Improvement Fund was established as a ‘user pay, user benefit’ fund in 1966 (Annotated Code of Maryland Section 8-707 of the State Boat Act) for the purpose of funding projects that improve and promote the recreational and commercial capabilities, conditions, and safety of Maryland’s waterways for the benefit of the general boating public. Revenues for this fund are primarily obtained from the one-time 5% excise tax that is paid to the State of Maryland when a boat is purchased and titled in the state, along with a small portion of the state fuel tax attributed to motorized vessel use.
Since its inception, the Waterway Improvement Fund has provided more than $469 million for over 4,970 projects at more than 400 public boating access sites. If you use a publicly owned boat ramp or marina in Maryland, chances are it was funded and, at least in part, is maintained by the state Waterway Improvement Fund.
Beyond the capital grant program, the Waterway Improvement Fund revenue also supports services such as
icebreaking, navigation aids/derelict boat/ debris removal, management of the
Clean Marina Initiative, the
Marine Sewage Pumpout Program, the
Shore Erosion Control Program, and Boating Safety.
Detailed information about the Waterway Improvement Fund grants are available at the following links:
Grant forms in PDF
Staff Contacts
- For Anne Arundel, Calvert, Charles, Prince George's, and St. Mary's Counties: contact Jennifer Jackson,
[email protected] or 410-897-2153
- For Caroline, Dorchester, Kent, Queen Anne's, Somerset, Talbot, Wicomico and Worcester Counties: contact Matt Negley,
[email protected] or 443-433-6284
- For Allegany, Baltimore City and County, Carroll, Cecil, Frederick, Garrett, Harford, Howard, Montgomery, and Washington Counties: contact Jillian Seagraves,
[email protected] or 443-924-0405
- For statewide dredging of navigable public channels that are Waterway Improvement Fund eligible, contact Isaac Wilding,
[email protected], or 443-458-8217
- For overall Center for Waterway Improvement & Infrastructure questions, contact Carla Fleming,
[email protected] or 443-534-6289
B. Federal Grants
The federal Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration (WSFR) Program is administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) and provides funding for targeted grant programs designed to benefit fish and wildlife while capitalizing on recreational opportunities across the country. In Maryland, the Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration, Boating Access (BA) program is administered by the Waterway Improvement and Infrastructure Program.
Boating Access (BA) Program
The Boating Access Program funds the construction/renovation of publicly owned boat ramps used by recreational, trailerable motorboats. The funding for the program comes primarily from federal excise taxes on fishing equipment and motorboat and small-engine fuels. These funds are apportioned to the states by formula, and at least 15% of each state’s apportionment must be allocated to boating access. The department receives approximately $500,000 in Sport Fish Restoration funding per year for capital projects related to public boating access.
Federal Boating Access Grant Program Contact
- Federal Boating Access Program Projects Lead - Jennifer Jackson
[email protected] - 410-897-2153
