Grants for Waterway Improvements
The Waterway Improvement Fund was created in 1966 by
Natural Resources Article 8-701 to support the development, use, and
enjoyment of all waters of the State of Maryland for the benefit of the general boating public. Revenues for this Fund are
obtained primarily from the one-time 5% excise tax that is paid to the State of Maryland when a boat is purchased
and titled in the State.
The Fund provides financial support to local governments, the Department of Natural Resources, and federal agencies in
the form of grants and/or loans for a wide variety of capital projects and services for the boating public.
- Introduction: Your Boat Tax At Work!
What is the Waterway Improvement Fund? What does it do? When was it created? By whom? What are the benefits?
- Waterway Improvement Fund State Grants Process
How to apply for state funded financial assistance.- Manual and Forms
The updated Waterway Improvement Funds Manual and individual Forms needed to apply for funding are available online in two formats, in Microsoft Word for Windows© format and in Adobe Acrobat© format. - The Law
Read the full text of The State Boat Act Section 8-721. - Boating Infrastructure Grant (BIG) Program Summary.
- Maryland Abandoned Boat and Debris Program
- Manual and Forms
Applicants Please Note:
Grant projects three years or older are subject to immediate reversion by DNR.
Grant Contacts:
- For Calvert, Charles, Prince George's, and St. Mary's Counties: Li Lan Carson 410-260-8452 or lcarson@dnr.state.md.us
- For Baltimore County and City, Carrol, Cecil, Harford, Howard, Montgomery, Allegany, Frederick, and Garrett counties: Kenneth Ropp 410-260-8437 or kropp@dnr.state.md.us
- For Dorchester, Kent, Queen Anne's, and Talbot Counties: Sandi Pepe 410-260-8466 or spepe@dnr.state.md.us
- For Anne Arundel, Somerset, Worcester, and Wicomico Counties: Mike Ewing 410-260-8440 or mewing@dnr.state.md.us
Online Services
Chesapeake Bay Hotline
Call 1-877-224-7229
to report any of the following- Boating accident or reckless activity
- Fish kill or algal bloom
- Floating debris that poses a hazard to navigation
- Illegal fishing activity
- Public sewer leak or overflow
- Oil or hazardous material spill
- Critical area or wetlands violation
- Suspicious or unusual activity