PROVIDENCE – Rhode Island will receive a $933,117 Boating Infrastructure Grant, the U.S. Department of the Interior announced Friday.
The R.I. Division of Fish and Wildlife has proposed a plan to assist New England Boatworks in Portsmouth to construct over 336 feet of additional dockage for transient recreational boats 26 feet or longer with the grant. The project would also include dredging.
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The project will receive an additional $971,204 in matching funds provided by New England Boatworks through a cash payment.
A spokeswoman for the R.I. Department of Environmental Management said the project needs to go through an internal review, but the department anticipates the project will be approved.
The grant is part of $14 million allocated in Boating Infrastructure Grants distributed throughout the United States. Funds for the grant program from the Sport Fish Restoration and Boating Trust Fund and are allocated by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
“Outdoor recreation is a key part of our American heritage, and boating in particular is how many Americans enjoy our public waters,” said U.S. Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke. “The BIG grants help ensure that anglers and boaters experience improved access to fishing opportunities and safer, more user-friendly recreational boating facilities.”
In May 2017, NEB became the state’s largest clean marina.
Chris Bergenheim is the PBN web editor.
