Presenter: Tim Hogsett

Commission Agenda Item No. 6
Action
Boating Access Grant Funding
August 2006

I. Executive Summary: The Department has recently received seven applications for public boating access construction and renovation projects requesting $2,346,283 in matching fund assistance. Presently, about $1,600,000 in federal boating access funds are available to obligate toward projects. Funding approval of five projects totaling $1,513,643 is recommended.

II. Discussion: Local Boating Access Grants: The State Boating Access Program was authorized in 1975 by the Sixty-fourth Legislature. The program provides funds for the purchase, construction, renovation and maintenance of boat ramps, access roads and other related facilities to improve public recreational boating access to public waters. The program receives funding from the Federal Aid in Sport Fish Restoration Act, also known as the Wallop-Breaux Program. Fifteen percent of the state's annual apportionment from the federal Wallop-Breaux Program must be used to provide public access for motor boating facilities. Construction for approved projects is supported on a 75 percent (federal), 25 percent (local) basis.

The Department has recently received seven applications for renovations of existing or new ramp construction requesting $2,346,283 in matching fund assistance. Based on site visits and analyses, the projects have been ranked in descending order of priority. Exhibit A contains the priority listing with funds requested by the sponsors and funds recommended by staff.

All facilities will be operated and maintained by the local government sponsors.

III. Recommendation: The staff recommends the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission adopt the following motion:

"Funding for boating access construction/renovation projects listed in Exhibit A in the amount of $1,513,643 is approved."