The Boating Infrastructure Grant Program (BIG) is governed by 50 CFR 86 (66 FR 5282, January 18, 2001). BIG is a competitive program that annually selects projects based on selection criteria found at 50 CFR 86.
The following are eligible activities:
(a) Construct, renovate, and maintain either publicly or privately owned boating infrastructure tie-up facilities. To be eligible you must:
(1) Build these tie-up facilities on navigable waters, available to the public. You must design new
construction and renovations to last at least 20 years;
(2) Design these tie-up facilities for temporary use for transient nontrailerable recreational
vessels;
(3) Build these tie-up facilities in water deep enough for nontrailerable recreational vessels to
navigate (a minimum of 6 feet of depth at the lowest tide or other measure of lowest fluctuation);
(4) Provide security, safety, and service for these boats; and,
(5) Install a pumpout station, if you construct a facility for overnight stays:
(i) If there is already a pumpout within a reasonable distance (generally within 2 miles) of the
facility, you may not need one;
(ii) For facilities intended as day stops, we encourage you to install a pumpout; and,
(iii) You may use funds from the BIG program, or the Clean Vessel Act pumpout grant program also administered by us, to pay for a pumpout station.
(b) Do one-time dredging only, to give transient vessels safe channel depths between the tie-up facility and maintained channels or open water.
(c) Install navigational aids, limited to giving transient vessels safe passage between the tie-up facility and maintained channels or open water.
(d) Apply funds to grant administration.
(e) Fund preliminary costs:
(1) Preliminary costs may include any of the following activities completed before signing a grant
agreement:
(i) Conducting appraisals;
(ii) Administering environmental reviews and permitting;
(iii) Conducting technical feasibility studies, for example, studies about environmental, economic, and construction engineering concerns;
(iv) Carrying out site surveys and engaging in site planning;
(v) Preparing cost estimates; and
(vi) Preparing working drawings, construction plans, and specifications.
(2) We will fund preliminary costs only if we approve the project.
(3) If the project is approved, the appropriate Service Regional Director must still approve
preliminary costs.
(f) Produce information and education materials such as chart guides, and brochures.
On April 25, 2014, WSFR published a second Proposed rule at 79 FR 23210. Comments were received for 90 days. We are currently working to publish a Final rule whch will replace the information above. For information on rulemaking, contact Lisa_Van_Alstyne@fws.gov / 703.358.1942.
BIG National Lead:
Paul Van Ryzin
5275 Leesburg Pike
Falls Church, VA 22041
Paul_VanRyzin@fws.gov
703.358.1849
