The project purpose is to perform administrative support to existing in progress big grants as well as hosting the annual symposium soba meeting in august 2025

The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management received a $182,538 Project Grant award from the Department of the Interior Fish and Wildlife Service (DOI FWS) Region 5 under the Sportfishing and Boating Safety Act program (CFDA 15.622), effective July 10, 2025, with a completion date of June 30, 2028. The grant provides administrative support services for existing Big grants currently in progress, including site visits, training delivery, and dissemination of information regarding grant program benefits and accomplishments. Additionally, the award funds hosting of the annual State Officials Boating Association (SOBA) Symposium scheduled for August 2025.

The intended beneficiaries of this grant include existing Big grant recipients, the State of Rhode Island, and attendees of the annual SOBA Symposium. No subrecipient activities are associated with this award. The grant supports coordination and outreach activities designed to enhance program visibility and provide technical assistance to current grantees within Rhode Island's boating safety and recreational infrastructure initiatives.

Activities to be performed include site visits and providing training and information about benefits and accomplishments about grant programs. Expected outcomes includeintended beneficiaries are existing big grant recipients and the state of rhode island and attendees of the annual soba symposium. There will be no subrecipient activities on this grant.