Waterways Grant-in-Aid Program Grants

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources Waterways Program Grants provide financial and technical assistance for engineering studies and infrastructure improvement projects at grant-in-aid harbors and public boating access sites, including state-sponsored harbor and mooring facilities, to enhance public recreational boating across Michigan.

Eligible applicants include local units of government (city, village, township, and county) and state colleges and universities, who may cooperate with sports and community organizations to implement projects. Applicants submitting proposals for harbor development must have an approved Harbor/Marina Facilities 5-Year Recreation Plan (or amendment to an existing plan) approved by Grants Management staff by February 1, and must submit harbor traffic logs and financial summaries from the previous three years. In addition, large construction projects require a completed preliminary engineering study and permit approval prior to grant consideration.

Eligible projects encompass preliminary engineering studies, design work, and infrastructure improvements for public recreational boating facilities, grant-in-aid harbors, and public boating access sites. Applications offering more than the required 50% match receive additional preference during the review process.

Applications and supporting documents must be submitted through the DNR grants management system by April 1 at 5:00 p.m. (or the following Monday if April 1 falls on a weekend). DNR staff conducts a technical review using standardized scoring criteria for boating access sites, engineering projects, and harbor development projects, with awards determined by department review, prioritization, and legislative appropriations.