Formula Grant 70Z02326MO0007056

Federal Grant Award Summary

The Ohio Department of Natural Resources received a Formula Grant award of $3,929,300 from the U.S. Coast Guard under the Boating Safety Financial Assistance program (CFDA 97.012) effective October 1, 2025, through September 30, 2028. This three-year grant supports the State Recreational Boating Safety (RBS) Program, which enables Ohio to expand boating safety education, law enforcement, and recreational waterway management statewide. Grant funds support a range of critical boating safety products and services, including the development and delivery of public boating safety education programs; training of personnel in boating safety law enforcement; acquisition and maintenance of facilities, equipment, and supplies for safety education and enforcement; operation of recreational vessel numbering and titling programs; conducting boating safety inspections and marine casualty investigations; establishing and maintaining emergency and search and rescue facilities; and constructing or repairing public access sites for recreational boaters.

The grant enables Ohio to assume greater responsibility for boating safety initiatives while maintaining uniformity with federal safety standards. By supporting both infrastructure improvements and community education efforts, the funding facilitates comprehensive boating safety services that reduce waterway accidents, injuries, and fatalities across the state. The three-year performance period allows for sustained implementation and expansion of these essential recreational boating safety services to Ohio's boating community and general public.