Division of Boating and Waterways Announces Availability of $1.5 Million in Funding to Help Keep California’s Waterways Safe

For Immediate Release: 2/1/2019

Division of Boating and Waterways Announces Availability of $1.5 Million in Funding to Help Keep California’s Waterways Safe

Contact:
Adeline Yee I Information Officer I (916) 651-8725

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — The Division of Boating and Waterways (DBW) is now accepting grant applications for local government agencies to purchase boating safety and law enforcement equipment. A total of $1.5 million in funding from the Boating Safety/Enforcement Equipment (BSEE) grant program is available statewide. Applications will be accepted from Feb. 1, 2019 through April 30, 2019 by 5 p.m. For those interested in applying for these grants, DBW is hosting workshops for each program to guide new applicants and returning grantees.

“California does not have a single marine law enforcement entity to patrol our thousands of miles of waterways,” explains DBW Acting Deputy Director Ramona Fernandez. “DBW works with more than 100 local law enforcement units to provide the necessary equipment vital to keep millions of California boating enthusiasts safe on the water.”

The division will help applicants through all the steps in the application submission process. It is recommended that a representative from an interested agency attend a four-hour workshop.

Workshops will be held on:

Tuesday, March 5, 2019 from 1 p.m. – 5 p.m.
Friday, March 8, 2019 from 8 a.m. – noon
One Capitol Mall, Suite 500
Sacramento, CA 95814
Pre-registration is required via email to Joanna.Andrade@parks.ca.gov by Friday, February 8.

Please include the name of attendee(s), agency name, and phone number in the email. Note: You will only need to attend one of the dates for the workshop.

Local government agencies who can demonstrate a need for boating safety and law enforcement are eligible to apply. Funds are available to local law enforcement agencies to purchase patrol boats, engines and personal watercraft, search and rescue, patrol and diving equipment. These competitive grants are intended to augment existing local resources and not to fully fund boating safety and enforcement.

Last fiscal year, DBW provided $1.5 million in BSEE funding to local public agencies. The funds were used to purchase patrol boats, dive gear, remotely operated vehicles and sonar equipment. These funds are made possible through the United States Coast Guard/Homeland Security Recreational Boating Safety Program.

DBW brings together a body of knowledge as the state’s expert in recreational boating-related matters, including public access, safety and education, marine law enforcement and consumer and environmental protection.

For more information on the BSEE grant program, please click here.

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