ME Boating Facilities Fund Grant

ME Boating Facilities Fund Grant

Status: ACTIVE
Funder: Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry
Amount: Up to US $100,000
Last Updated: February 27, 2026

Summary

The ME Boating Facilities Fund Grant, administered by the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry, aims to enhance recreational boating access throughout Maine. It supports towns and agencies in developing and rehabilitating public boat launching facilities. Eligible projects include both hand-carry and trailer boat launches on tidal and non-tidal waters, with a required match of at least 25%. The fund prioritizes facilities accessible to both motorized and non-motorized watercraft.

Overview

NOTE: A pre-application site inspection must be requested by the pre-proposal deadline above. ME Boating Facilities Fund 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. 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. Funding is available to assist in the development of hand-carry as well as trailered boat launching facilities. However, since the Fund derives its revenue from a portion of the State gasoline taxes generated by recreational motor boat use.Grants may be monetary or in the form of materials, e.g., floats and concrete planking for ramps.

Eligibility

We've imported the main document for this grant to give you an overview. You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's website. 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.A grant may be used for:Development Projects:professional design/engineering services approved construction costs administrative costs such as advertising for bids and recording deeds permit fees paid to external regulators construction management and inspection costs.Land Acquisition Projects (allowed by special exception):land appraisal, legal, and other professional services associated with the acquisition of land rights needed for the project purchase of land rights up to appraised fair market value.Generally, the recreational boating component of facilities will be funded with a match requirement of no less than 25%.Facilities funded by Boating Facility Funds must be primarily for recreational boating use by the general public. Commercial use of the facilities may be permitted provided the commercial use does not interfere with the recreational use by the general public, including use of the associated parking facilities.

Ineligibility

The fund is not intended to provide commercial boating access or non-boating water access, e.g., opportunities for bank fishing, sight-seeing, picnicking, where recreational boat launching is not the principal activity.A grant will not pay for:expenses incurred prior to the Bureau's approval of an application for funding assistance, except minor planning and design fees costs related to non-boating related features such as picnic tables, shelters, trails, etc. costs associated with improvements designed to service commercial use