Boating Facilities Fund Available to Improve Recreational Boating Access - Grant Proposals Wanted

April 23, 2025

The Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry, Bureau of Parks and Public Lands is seeking grant proposals that will result in improved recreational boating access to the waters of the State of Maine.

• A pre-application site inspection must be requested no later than May 14, 2025, and completed by Bureau staff before a grant application is submitted.
• Project proposals are due July 16, 2025.
• Projects must be completed by June 30, 2027.
• A minimum 50% cash or in-kind match is required.

Deadlines

• Pre-application site inspection requests are due May 14, 2025
• Project proposals are due July 16, 2025.

Purpose of the Boating Facilities Fund

• To assist towns, cities, districts, and other public and private agencies in the acquisition, development, enhancement, or rehabilitation of boat launching facilities on waters of Maine that are available to the general public.
• Sites on both tidal and non-tidal waters are eligible.
• The fund is not intended to provide commercial boating access or non-boating water access, e.g., opportunities for bank fishing, sightseeing, picnicking, where recreational boat launching is not the principal activity. Grants may be monetary or in the form of materials, such as floats and concrete planking for ramps.

Who may apply for a grant?

The applicant must have (or be seeking to obtain) right, title, or interest in the land to be developed, including vehicle access to the property, which legally assures that the site will be available to the general public as a recreational boating facility.

If you have questions regarding the grant, you can find additional information on our Boating Facilities Fund webpage.