The California Department of Fish and Wildlife announced $2.7 million in grants for six projects to support recreational boating and combat invasive golden mussels in state waters. The Boating Access Grant Program is funded through federal dollars from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's Sport Fish Restoration Grant Program, which draws revenue from taxes on sport fishing equipment, tackle, pleasure boats, and the portion of gasoline fuel tax from small engines and motorboats.
The Tolowa Dee-ni Nation received $315,000 to revitalize the Xaa-wan'-k'wvt Village and Resort Boat Ramp on the Smith River in Del Norte County. Inyo County received $540,000 to create California's first designated water trail on a river, establishing access to the Lower Owens River near Lone Pine with Americans with Disabilities Act-compliant facilities for kayaks, canoes, and paddleboards.
The El Dorado Irrigation District received $456,000 for upgrades to aging boat launching facilities at the Sly Park Recreation Area. The Tehama County Transportation Commission received $536,000 to develop solutions for the Woodson Boat Ramp, which has sustained damage from high-water events and erosion. Santa Clara County Parks and Recreation received $225,000 for repairs to the Alviso Marina County Park boat ramp and boardwalk improvements.
The department also awarded $704,000 to strengthen its Invasive Golden Mussel Program through additional staffing for monitoring and training of facility staff in boat inspection and decontamination. An additional approximately $3 million in grant funding is available for boating access projects in fiscal year 2027-28, with proposals due by 4 p.m. on November 5, 2026.