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Grants to Maine Agencies, Tribes, and Businesses for Projects Related to Recreational Facilities

Boating Facilities Fund (BFF) - Grants-in-Aid


Grant Writers
Agency
State
GrantWatch ID#
135183
Funding Source
Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry (DACF)
Bureau of Parks and Public Lands - Boating Facilities Fund (BFF)
Array ( )
Geographic Focus
USA: Maine
Important Dates
LOI Date: 04/19/23
Deadline: 07/19/23 - on or before close of Business (5:00 PM) or postmarked on that date Save
Grant Description
Grants to Maine local and state government agencies, Tribal governments, and businesses for projects related to recreational facilities. Applicants must submit a pre-application site inspection request prior to applying. Funding is intended 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.

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.

Eligible Projects

Generally the development, and/or renovation of public recreational boating facilities intended for either motorized or non-motorized watercraft use are eligible for financial assistance. The proposed facility must provide recreational boating uses as a primary function 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, priority is given to funding launching facilities that can be used by both motorized and non-motorized watercraft.
  • Grants may be monetary or in the form of materials, e.g., floats and concrete planking for ramps.

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.
Full Grant Text RFP
Recipient
Eligibility
  • Others (see text field entitled "Additional Eligibility Criteria" for clarification)
Additional Eligibility Criteria
Grants may be awarded to any of the following:
- Local governmental agencies (cities, towns, counties), including special purpose agencies, such as Water Districts
- State agencies
- Other governmental agencies (Indian Tribal Governments)
- Other entities such as fish and game clubs, private marinas, etc.

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.
Ineligible
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
Pre-Application Information
Both deadlines must be met:
- Pre-application site inspection deadline: All projects must request a site preapplication inspection by close of business (5:00 PM) Wednesday, April 19, 2023
- Application deadline: Applications must be submitted on or before close of Business (5:00 PM) Wednesday, July 19, 2023 or postmarked on that date

Division staff will contact applicants between 24th and April 28th to schedule an inspection.

BFF funding may be up to 75 percent, or the grant cap ($100,000/$50,000), of a project’s approved total cost.

The BFF grant is a reimbursement grant, meaning the sponsor must be able to pay for the project costs in full as they are incurred. Once project approval has been received, the sponsor can submit requests for reimbursement.

For more information about matching and reimbursement: https://www.maine.gov/dacf/parks/grants/docs/BFF-GrantApplicationPkg.pdf#page=6

Application Prerequisites
- Project Committee: Prior to application, the applicant must designate an individual as the day-to-day contact person for the project. For governmental entities, it is recommended they establish a project committee. This committee should have a minimum of three (3) and a maximum of seven (7) members with overlapping terms of tenure to ensure continuity of progress despite the inevitable change of municipal personnel.
- Land Rights: Prior to an award, the applicant must demonstrate sufficient right, title or interest in the project site and access to the site to guarantee the facilities will remain available to the general public for recreational boating access for the useful life of the facilities.
Estimated Size of Grant
Up to $100,000.00 of the allowable costs for eligible trailered launch and up to $50,000.00 for eligible carry-in projects.
Term of Contract
Projects must be completed by June 30, 2025.
Contact Information
Mail completed application to:
Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry
Attn: Heather Seiders
Boating Facilities Division
18 Elkins Lane
22 State House Station
Augusta, Maine 04333

Qualified applicants that are interested in submitting a proposal should contact the Boating Facilities Division of the BPL at the address above for assistance and guidance in the application process.

Heather Seiders, Boating Facilities Division
E-mail address: Heather.Seiders@maine.gov
Phone: (207) 287-4952
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