SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – Governor JB Pritzker today announced 2021 Boat Access Area Development grants totaling $721,500 have been awarded to five communities.
The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) Natural Resources Advisory Board reviewed grant requests totaling more than $1.4 million and recommended awarding funding for the projects.
“As we look towards spring with warmer weather ahead, I’m proud that these Boat Access Area grants will help local communities improve public boat and canoe access areas on Illinois’ lakes and rivers,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “These critical investments will help residents and visitors alike explore everything that Illinois has to offer.”
The Boat Access Area Development Program provides financial assistance to local government agencies for the acquisition, construction, and expansion or rehabilitation of public boat and canoe access areas on Illinois’ lakes and rivers. The program provides up to 100 percent of approved project construction costs and 90 percent of approved land acquisition costs. There is a limit of $200,000 per project per year.
“I’m excited that the Rockford Park District will be receiving this grant allocation from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. This money will be used not only to revitalize our riverfront-but also increase the footprint of Rockford’s downtown – which helps our small businesses in the area,” said Rep. Maurice West (D-Rockford).
Revenue for this program is derived from marine motor fuel tax and boat and canoe registration fees. Download the Boat Access Area Development Program Manual at this link:
https://www2.illinois.gov/dnr/AEG/Pages/BoatAccessAreaDevelopmentProgram.aspx
A list of this year’s Boat Access Area Development grants and project information is below:
FY21 Boat Access Area Develop Projects
City of Carbondale – Cedar Lake Boat Launch (Jackson County)
This project will receive $120,000 to construct a new accessible floating dock on the north side of the existing boat launch; install
