HARRISBURG, PA (September 10) – The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC) is opening the next round of Boating Facility Grants to meet growing demand for public access and expand safe, accessible boating opportunities. The application can be found on the PFBC website (Fishandboat.com).
The Boating Facility Grant Program supports the planning, acquisition, development, expansion, and rehabilitation of public boating facilities. Eligible applicants include townships, boroughs, counties, municipalities, and 501(c)3 nonprofit organizations such as land trusts, conservancies, and watershed groups.
Eligible projects include boat ramps, courtesy docks, restrooms, access roads, parking areas, signage, aquatic invasive species prevention, and other improvements that benefit boaters at public access sites. Applicants are encouraged to incorporate universal design and accessibility features and must meet relevant Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) standards.
For the 2027 round of the grant program, the PFBC has established three focus areas that help to leverage and maximize available funding: projects in Lancaster County, projects that provide access to the Lehigh River, and projects on officially designated Pennsylvania Water Trails. Site visits are mandatory as part of the application process and a 50% funding match is required.
The deadline for applications is December 1, 2026.
The Pennsylvania Fishing and Boating Access Strategy, developed jointly by the PFBC and the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, is available to help communities identify access needs, overcome barriers to access, and prioritize improvements.
For more information, visit the PFBC website or contact Mark Morrison at (717) 346-8196 or RA-boatgrants@pa.gov.