Pennsylvania fish agency is offering more Boating Facility Grants

Harrisburg — As a growing number of communities realize the positive social and economic impacts of having convenient boating access along their local waterways, the Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission is offering the next round of Boating Facility Grants to help communities capitalize on the surge in new boating activity.

The Boating Facility Grant program provides grants for planning, acquisition, development, expansion, and rehabilitation of public boating facilities located on the waters of the commonwealth.

The commission encourages townships, boroughs, and municipal and county governments to apply. Nonprofit groups (501c3) including land trusts, conservancies, and watershed associations are also eligible to apply.

Private businesses and service clubs are not eligible for direct funding but are encouraged to partner with their local county or municipality.

“We continue to see an increase in boating activity with more families and individuals looking to get outdoors,” said Tim Schaeffer, commission executive director.

“Participation in paddlesports like kayaking has surged, leaving many existing boating access points overcrowded with paddlers eager to be on the water.”

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Funds awarded through this grant program can help communities develop projects, particularly projects that are accessible for all, Schaeffer added, to improve existing access areas, or develop something new to serve local residents and attract recreational boaters to their region.

Applicants can seek grants for planning, site acquisition, development, expansion, prevention of the spread of aquatic invasive species and rehabilitation of recreational boat access facilities.

Eligible construction projects may include boat ramps, courtesy docks, restrooms, access roads, parking areas and signs. Applicants are encouraged to make facilities accessible and usable by individuals with disabilities.

Funding requests require a 50% match. For the 2026 round of grants, the Fish & Boat Commission will accept applications from anywhere in the commonwealth.

New this year, all interested applicants must schedule a site visit as part of the application process before a project is considered for funding.

The deadline for applications is Dec. 1.

For more information and to apply, visit the Boating Facility Grant page on the commission website, or contact Mark Morrison, Statewide Public Access Program manager, at 717-346-8196. Inquiries can also be emailed to RA-BoatGrants@pa.gov.