Division of Boating and Waterways Local Assistance Statewide Sign Grant Program FY26

The Division of Boating and Waterways Local Assistance Statewide Sign Grant Program FY26 offers funding for the installation and replacement of signs for previously funded projects. This initiative aims to ensure that signs are up-to-date, safe, and compliant with federal requirements. Grants support the improvement of public access to California's waterways, enhancing safety and user experience for the boating community.

Background
After several state government reorganizations, this boating-focused entity exists today as the Division of Boating and Waterways (DBW) within the Department of Parks and Recreation. The same legislation that created DBW also created a special fund, the Harbors and Watercraft Revolving Fund (HWRF) to fund DBW’s activities, including its grant programs. HWRF resources come from revenue generated by vessel registration fees, repayments of DBW loans provided to public and private marinas, and vessel fuel tax.
DBW fulfills this mission by bringing together a body of knowledge as the state’s expert in recreational boating-related matters, including public access, safety, education, marine law enforcement, and consumer and environmental protection and through its local assistance grant and loan programs.
Boat Launching Facilities (BLF) Grant
BLF grants are for the engineering, construction, or improvement of boat launching ramps, restrooms, boarding floats, shore protection, parking for vehicles and boat trailers, utilities, and ancillary items. The purpose of the program is to provide and improve access to California’s waterways for the recreational boating public that use trailer-able motorized watercraftNon-Motorized Boat Launching Facilities (NMBLF) Grant
NMBLF grants are for the construction or improvement of public non-motorized boating access facilities. Typical grant-funded items include the engineering and construction of small hand-launch boat ramps, low freeboard boarding floats, small parking lots, and restrooms.Ramp Repair and Modification (RR&M) Grant
RR&M grants provide funding to qualifying public agencies to restore recreational boating access; address issues or conditions at boat launching facilities caused by unexpected events; and that may not be covered by an agency’s insurance such as storms, floods, droughts, forest fires, or water drawdowns resulting from dam repairs, dam seismic safety concerns, or water releases to protect fish habitat, etc. These projects must have previously been improved using DBW funding. Typical projects include ramp extensions, ramp widenings, construction of low water and second stage parking areas, and the repair of launching ramps, boarding floats, restrooms, and parking areas. Projects are typically limited in scope and are funded only to the level necessary to restore boating access, relieve overcapacity, address health or safety issues, and restore functionality.Sign Grant Program
The Sign Grant Program provides grant funding to install and replace signs for previously funded DBW projects when the signs are obsolete, incorrect, badly worn or damaged, missing, are needed for safety, or are required as a condition of receiving federal funds.