Funds under this grant award will be used to operate and maintain 180 inland recreational boating access area facilities in north carolina

The North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC) received a Formula Grant award of $1,739,409 from the U.S. Department of the Interior Fish and Wildlife Service under the Sport Fish Restoration program (CFDA 15.605) for the period of July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2026. This award funds the operation and maintenance of 180 inland recreational boating access area facilities throughout North Carolina, supporting safe and serviceable public access to the state's inland waters for recreational boating and fishing activities.

The grant enables NCWRC to serve North Carolina's approximately 350,000 active registered boaters and visiting non-resident boaters by maintaining clean, safe, and well-maintained boating access areas for boat launch and retrieval operations across the state's rivers, lakes, and waterways. By preserving these facilities in serviceable condition, NCWRC facilitates increased public participation in the state's recreational boating and angling activities while ensuring equitable access to North Carolina's inland public waters.

North carolina has over 350,000 active registered boaters and hundreds of visiting and non- resident boaters who use north carolina wildlife resources commission (ncwrc) boating access area facilities to access the state s inland public waters. To accommodate these demands the ncwrc must provide safe, clean, and serviceable boating access areas for the launch and retrieval of recreational boats in north carolina s inland waters. Ncwrc staff operate and maintain approximately 180 inland boating access areas across the state. Inland boating access areas will be maintained in a safe and serviceable condition so the public can enjoy access to the state s rivers, lakes, and waterways for recreational boating and fishing purposes. Safe, well maintained, and appealing sites will result in increased site use by the public, as well as, potentially encourage increase and or further participation in the states boating and angling activities.