Recently, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) announced the awarding of $7.5 million in grants for 10 projects that support public recreational boating access to state waterways. These projects are federally funded by the Sport Fish Restoration Grant Program, administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), which provides funds to state fish and wildlife agencies for fishery projects, boating access and aquatic education. More information about the program and the annual solicitation can be found on the CDFW Boating Access web page.
“California is home to some of the richest aquatic environments in the world, and this grant program exists to ensure all Californians have the opportunity to experience the joy and freedom of being out on the water,” said CDFW Director Charlton H. Bonham. “These projects provide the requisite care and maintenance to keep access to the water for boaters safe and reliable.”
The 10 projects will soon enter into grant agreements and commence work.
In late 2023, CDFW announced availability of funding for the Boating Access Grant Program. The Sport Fish Restoration Act created the Sport Fish Restoration Grant Program, administered by USFWS. Funding for this grant program comes through revenue from manufacturers’ excise taxes on sport fishing equipment, import duties on fishing tackle and pleasure boats and a portion of gasoline fuel tax attributable to small engines and motorboats. The Boating Access sub-program of the Sport Fish Restoration Grant Program provides federal funds for facilities that create or add to public access for recreational boating and improvements to waterways that increase access to recreational boating opportunities.
CDFW anticipates releasing the next solicitation for proposals for the Boating Access Grant Program as early as sometime during October, with up to $2 million available for new projects — check the Boating Access Program website for details.
Among the projects funded are:
Sly Park Boat Launching Facility Upgrades; $240,000 to El Dorado Irrigation District. The project will update and expand two boat-launching facilities in the Sly Park Recreation Area. Updates will increase access for boaters and anglers with Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) accessibility requirements by providing compliant restrooms, parking stalls and fish cleaning stations at each location.
Turney Street Dock Improvement Project; $170,000 to the city of Sausalito.
“The Turney Street Dock is the only public, free dock in southern Marin County and serves as an important public use access point for motorized and non-motorized recreation, and emergency access for Richardson Bay and the whole San Francisco Bay,” said Catie Thow Garcia, the city of Sausalito’s Resiliency and Sustainability Manager. “I heard from the Sausalito and southern Marin County community members that the Turney Street Dock is in a state of disrepair, and with the support of the Sausalito City Council and the Department of Public Works, chose to pursue funding to create plans for its improvement.”
Redding Boating and Fishing Access Maintenance and Operations; $428,000 to the city of Redding. This project will enhance and maintain public fishing and river access by operating and maintaining six city of Redding facilities along the Sacramento River.
Orange County Sailing and Events Center Reconstruction Project; $3.2 million to Orange County Parks. This project will rehabilitate the deteriorating Orange County Sailing and Events Center floating docks and improve dock facilities to comply with ADA access requirements.
Steamer Landing Dock and Boating Program; $203,000 to Friends of the Petaluma River.
“The Friends of the Petaluma River public boating and environmental education programs are key to connecting our community to the Petaluma River,” said Friends of the Petaluma River Executive Director Stephanie Bastianon. “With support from CDFW’s Boating Access Program, Friends will improve our dock facilities to support ADA access, promote boating usage and water education and support recreational fishing throughout the river.”
Harbor Park Beach and Boat Launch; $1.6 million to the Port of San Diego. This project will complete the designs and permits needed to begin construction on the Harbor Park Beach and Boat Launch.
Adaptive Paddling Access at Lake Tahoe; $844,000 to the California Tahoe Conservancy.
“Not enough opportunities exist for people with disabilities to safely paddle at Lake Tahoe,” said Jason Vasques, Executive Director of the California Tahoe Conservancy. “The Adaptive Paddling Access at Lake Tahoe Project will greatly improve accessibility for people with disabilities at the popular Patton Landing Beach, complementing programs operated at the same site by the nonprofit Tahoe Waterman Foundation.”
Enhancing Public Access and Amenities on the Truckee River for Visitors and Paddlecraft; $106,000 to Nevada County. This project will promote boating access for paddle craft, improve recreational access for all visitors and empower residents to become stewards of the Truckee River.
Heenan Lake Angler Access Enhancement; $133,000 to the CDFW North Central Region. The Heenan Lake Angler Access Enhancement Project will create accessible entry roads, parking and a fishing dock. This project will improve access to a popular fishing spot and support the state of California's efforts to recruit, retain and include anglers who have historically been excluded.
Avila Pier Renovation; $556,000 to the Wildlife Conservation Board. Additional funding for an ongoing CDFW Boating Access Grant Program grant managed by the Wildlife Conservation Board (WCB) to fully support renovation of the Avila Pier in San Luis Obispo County.
