Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission seeking Lake Erie access improvement grant proposals

Harrisburg — The Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission recently announced that applications are being accepted for the Erie Access Improvement Program.

Through this program, funding is available to support projects that provide public fishing access or protect or improve fish habitat for Lake Erie, Presque Isle Bay, their tributaries, and waters that flow into those tributaries.

Entities that may qualify for funding through this program include municipal and county governments, nonprofit groups (501c3) including land trusts, conservancies, and watershed associations.

Applicants may seek grants for site acquisition, access development, expansion, rehabilitation, and other types of projects that benefit recreational fishing and public fishing access on Lake Erie or its tributaries.

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Projects to rehabilitate existing access sites, such as construction of access roads and parking lots, or projects that bring facilities into ADA compliance are also eligible for funding.

Habitat projects, fisheries research, and the development of fish cleaning stations may also qualify. Funding requests require a 50% match. 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 visit the Erie Access Improvement Grant page on the commission’s website, or contact Mark Morrison, Statewide Public Access Program Manager, at 717-346-8196. Inquiries can also be emailed to RA-BoatGrants@pa.gov.