OLYMPIA–The Washington State Recreation and Conservation Office is taking applications for grants to build or renovate facilities that serve large boats.

The federal Boating Infrastructure Grant program provides funding to develop and renovate public boating facilities. Grants also may be used to provide information and enhance boater education.

“Washington has nearly 230,000 registered boats, which use moorage docks, pump-out stations and utilities,” said Kaleen Cottingham, director of the Recreation and Conservation Office. “These grants help ensure that Washington’s boating facilities are available and in good shape so boaters can enjoy Washington’s fantastic waterways.”

The applications must be for projects targeting transient recreational vessels, 26 feet and larger, in Washington. Transient boats are those that travel to a single facility for up to 15 days. Grants range from $5,000 to more than $1.4 million. Grant applicants must match 25 percent of the grant with staff labor, equipment, donations or other resources.

Typical projects include renovating guest docks, installing utilities on moorage docks and building moorage docks and floats. Boat launches however are not eligible.

Eligible grant applicants include local and state government agencies, Native American tribes, nonprofits, private marina operators and special purpose districts, such as port, park and recreation and public utility districts.

Pre-applications are due by May 17 with final applications likely due July 7, depending information from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

Funding comes through the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service from federal gas taxes deposited in the federal Aquatic Resources Trust Fund.

For more information, visit RCO’s Web site.