U.S. Secretary of the Interior, Ryan Zinke, has announced nearly $32 million in maritime- and boating-related grants that will benefit boating recreation and tourism by improving boating infrastructure, keeping water clean for anglers, and preserving maritime heritage and inland waterways.
Secretary Zinke made the announcement at the Yorktown Historic Freight Shed Lawn at the Riverwalk Landing last week, where he was joined by local Congressman Scott Taylor.
This funding is made possible through three grant programs: $14.7 million through the Boating Infrastructure Grant (BIG) program, $15.4 million in funds through the Clean Vessel Act program, and $1.7 million in Maritime Heritage Grants.
“These three grant programs provide support for boating recreation and tourism to local communities, whether through the preservation of American maritime heritage or by ensuring the facilities and waters anglers and boaters depends on are in the best condition,” said Secretary Zinke.
The BIG program recognizes that transient boaters offer economic benefits and add to the vitality of waterfront communities, marinas and boat clubs. Funds go to construct, renovate or maintain transient-boater facilities, including docks, moorings, restrooms (including floating ones), fuel docks, electricity, water and sewage utilities, recycling and pumpout stations, and potentially small dredging projects.
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