The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) has announced the award of $2.7 million in grants for six projects to support recreational boating in state waters and combat invasive golden mussels.
CDFW’s Boating Access Grant Program provides funding for projects that increase access to recreational boating opportunities across California’s waterways. Supported with federal funds through the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Sport Fish Restoration Grant Program, money for the program comes from tax revenue on sport fishing equipment, fishing tackle and pleasure boats, and the portion of the gasoline fuel tax attributable to small engines and motorboats.
“From culturally significant riverfronts to popular recreation areas, these six projects will expand access to California’s waterways for more people of all backgrounds and with varying outdoor interests,” said CDFW Director, Meghan Hertel. “We are proud to support investments that improve public access, honor our local communities and help protect our waters from emerging threats.”
CDFW has also announced the availability of another approximately $3 million in grant funding for boating access projects in fiscal year 2027-28. CDFW is now accepting proposals, which are due by 4 p.m. on Nov. 5, 2026, and can be submitted through CDFW’s WebGrants online portal. For more information, see the Fiscal Year 2027-28 Boating Access Proposal Solicitation Notice. Questions should be directed to BoatingAccess@wildlife.ca.gov.
Following is an overview of the recently awarded projects.
Invasive Golden Mussel Program
($704,000 to CDFW)
The negative economic and recreational impacts of golden mussel continue to be felt throughout California. Last year, CDFW responded with approximately $1.3 million in Sport Fish Restoration/Boating Access funding to support the purchase of decontamination units, high-pressure wash stations, improvements to boat ramps and wash stations, and hands-on training for facility staff in boat inspection and decontamination procedures. Funding awarded this year will strengthen CDFW’s existing Invasive Mussel Program with increased staffing to conduct additional monitoring, prevention and containment activities.
Alviso Marina County Park Boat Ramp Replacement
($225,000 awarded to Santa Clara County, Parks and Recreation Department)
This is an augmentation to a grant first awarded during the 2025-26 fiscal year. The project will repair the boat launch ramp, fund the replacement of existing wooden planks on three public access boardwalks as well as improvements to the facility parking lot. The Alviso Marina County Park is the southern starting point for the San Francisco Bay Water Trail and improvements will enhance recreational boating access through the salt marshes and out into San Francisco Bay.
Xaa-wan'-k'wvt Village and Resort Boat Ramp Revitalization
($315,000 awarded to the Tolowa Dee-ni Nation)
For countless generations, the Smith River has provided food, spiritual connection and cultural teachings to the people of the Tolowa Dee-ni Nation. Today, the river continues to serve as a shared gathering place for both Tribal and non-Tribal community members in Del Norte County.
The existing boat ramp and facilities have fallen into disrepair and are inaccessible to the elderly, families with children and those with limited mobility.
This project will help improve safe and reliable access to the Smith River while strengthening a place that holds deep cultural and community importance.
Owens River Water Trail
($540,000 awarded to Inyo County)
Funding will support California’s first designated water trail on a river, creating safe and sustainable public access to the Lower Owens River near Lone Pine. Project activities include construction of Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)-compliant facilities that allow visitors to launch and land non-motorized watercraft such as kayaks, canoes, and paddleboards.
Sly Park Boat Launching Facility Upgrades Project – Construction Phase I
($456,000 awarded to the El Dorado Irrigation District)
Upgrades to the aging boat launching facilities at the Sly Park Recreation Area will improve ADA-accessibility, improve safety for boaters and increase access during drought years when water levels at the lake are low.
Woodson Boat Ramp Preservation and Access Planning Project
($536,000 awarded to the Tehama County Transportation Commission)
The Woodson Boat Ramp is an important public access point to the Sacramento River, serving boaters, anglers and emergency responders throughout Tehama County. Repeated high-water events and ongoing bank erosion have damaged the ramp, access area, and adjacent embankment and put the long-term reliability of this public facility at risk. This project will allow for completion of the hydraulic, geotechnical, engineering, and environmental work needed to evaluate the right long-term solution and advance a resilient design that preserves safe, equitable river access for years to come.
