WASHINGTON, D.C. — Lyman Morse Boatbuilding, Inc., in Camden, and DiMillo’s Old Port Marina, in Portland, will be sharing $3 million through a federal grant. The 2019 Boating Infrastructure Grant (BIG) is administered through the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

With $1.5 million, Lyman Morse Marina, partnering with the Maine Department of Transportation, is to construct and install a 120-foot fixed pier, a 334-foot wave-attenuating floating dock, a 579-foot floating dock, and 16 slips for other transient vessels, providing a total of 2,000 linear feet of new dockage for eligible transient boaters, according to a news release from U.S. Senator Collins’ office.

The company believes that these upgrades will help to make Camden a destination for boat repair and service operations and strengthen employment opportunities for the local workforce, the release said.

Federal funds requested was $1.5 million, and with a non-federal match, the total project cost is to be $3.5 million. 

“For decades, Lyman Morse and DiMillo’s Marinas have created jobs, benefitted local businesses, and supported their coastal communities,” Collins said, in the release. “By assisting the marinas’ efforts to expand capacity, this funding will spur additional investments that will help boost employment opportunities and economic development for the surrounding areas.  These improvements will also allow more vessels to connect to the power grid, reducing noise and air pollution.”

DiMillo’s Old Port Marina, also partnering with MaineDOT, was awarded $1.5 million to rejuvenate the marina with safer, wider, deeper, and sturdier docks, along with expanded conduits for utilities and fuel, a new fuel tank, lines, dispenser and payment pedestal, replacement pilings, 3-phase power and an ADA-compliant ramp.  This project will also expand the west side of the marina, providing two additional 75-foot berths and 70 feet of additional lateral dockage.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife’s BIG program supports recreational boaters and local communities and their economies. 

The Boating Infrastructure Grant Program (BIG) provides grant funds to the states, the District of Columbia and insular areas to construct, renovate, and maintain tie-up facilities with features for transient boaters in vessels 26 feet or more in length, and to produce and distribute information and educational materials about the program.

The governmental agency designated by each respective governor is eligible to participate in the BIG Program. The governmental agency may partner with local governments, private marinas and others to fund eligible projects.

The BIG Program includes two funding tiers, Tier One (non-competitive) and Tier Two (nationally competitive). Under Tier One each state, the D.C. and insular area may receive funding for eligible projects up to $200,000 annually. Tier Two funds are made available through a nationally competitive process. Tier Two proposals received are reviewed, evaluated and ranked by a national panel with the final decision for funding made by the Director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The ranking criteria, eligible projects and regulations are listed in 50 CFR 86.

Learn more about Boating Infrastructure Grant Program accomplishments.

Source of Funds
Funds for the BIG Program are provided annually from the Sport Fish Restoration and Boating Trust Fund. The amount provided is 4% of the funds (split between the BIG and CVA programs) in the Sport Fish Restoration and Boating Trust Fund after deducting amounts for WSFR administration, the Multistate Conservation Grant Program, the Sport Fishing and Boating Partnership Council and fisheries commissions.

The funds deposited into the Sport Fish Restoration and Boating Trust Fund are derived from excise taxes on fishing equipment, motorboat and small engine fuels, import duties, and interest on the fund.