The minnesota department of natural resources through this grant will administer and coordinate the boating infrastructure grant program (big)

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) received a $240,000 Project Grant from the U.S. Department of the Interior Fish and Wildlife Service under the Sportfishing and Boating Safety Act (CFDA 15.622) to administer and coordinate the Boating Infrastructure Grant (BIG) Program. The grant, awarded on May 1, 2025, with a completion date of May 31, 2027, funds the operation and maintenance of boating infrastructure facilities serving transient recreational vessels of at least 26 feet in length operated for pleasure purposes throughout Minnesota.

The primary deliverables include coordinating and monitoring BIG grants to ensure they serve their intended purpose, and operating and maintaining eligible recreational boating facilities accessible for public use during the grant performance period and through the facilities' useful life. Through this grant administration and coordination role, the Minnesota DNR will ensure that funded boating infrastructure remains accessible to the public and continues to provide essential maritime services and amenities for larger recreational vessels in Minnesota waterways.

The grant will assist with the operation and maintenance costs of boating infrastructure facilities for transient recreational vessels at least 26 feet long that are operated primarily for pleasure. Funded facilities will provide public access to the boaters during the grant performance period or up until the determined useful life of the grant. The main objectives of the grant are objective 1: coordinate and monitor big grants to serve their intended purpose.objective 2: operate and maintain eligible recreational boating facilities accessible for public use.