BIG Program

Eligible Projects

The BIG Program was created to provide funding for construction of facilities that will enhance boating for non-trailerable (26' or over in length) recreational boats when such boats are in transient status.

These facilitied include but are not limited to:

Mooring buoys Day-docks Navigational aids (channel markers, buoys, directional information) Transient slips (slips that boaters with nontrailerable recreational vessels occupy for no more than 10 consecutive days) Safe harbors for transients Floating docks and fixed piers Floating and fixed breakwaters Restrooms Retaining walls

Bulkheads Dockside utilities Pumpout stations Recycling and trash receptacles Dockside electric service Dockside water supplies Dockside pay telephones Debris deflection booms Marine fueling stations Initial, one-time-only dredging, only to provide transient vessels with safe channel depths to the transient facility.

All facilities constructed under this program must be:

• Secure and safe with service available
• In boating access waters at least 6 feet deep
• On navigable waters
• Designed to accommodate boats 26' in length or greater
• Used by transient boaters (boaters not at their home port and staying not more than 10 consecutive days)
• Open to the public
• Designed and constructed so as to last at least 20 yrs
• Used for the original stated grant purpose throughout the useful life of the project
• Maintained throughout their useful life
• Within two miles of a public pumpout

Conditions

Facilities that participate in the program must allow the feature(s) constructed under the BIG Program to be open to the general public and provide access to shore along with other existing basic features of the facility such as fuel, pumpouts, and restrooms. Some type of reservation system must also be available to ensure boaters space when they arrive. Access to other nonessential features of the facility is not required.

Reasonable rates (prevailing rates in the area) may be charged to boaters for transient mooring facilities constructed under the BIG Program.

Activities that are NOT allowed under this program include:

• Routine, custodial and/or janitorial maintenance activities (those that occur regularly on an annual or more frequent basis)
• Construction of slips for long term rental (more than 10 days)
• Construction or maintenance of facilities designed for trailerable boats
• Maintenance dredging
• Dry land storage or haul out facilities
• Activities or construction that does not provide public benefit.

Design & Construction (THIS IS AN IMPORTANT SECTION)

The applicant must not award any construction contracts until after plans and specifications are approved by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources.

The applicant is obliged to cooperate with the Ohio Department of Natural Resources in order to ensure that the contractors comply with Equal Employment Opportunity requirements. This includes all bid advertisements.

All projects funded through this grant program must meet minimum design specifications as outlined in the Ohio Boating Facilities Standards and Guidelines, First Edition [available on this web site; PDF; 1.44Meg]. Funded projects must also meet federal ADA requirements for barrier-free access. (See Federal Register 09/03/02 [PDF; 3.5Megs]. This Federal Register contains information about barrier-free access at boating facilities as well as other types of outdoor recreation facilities.) Design consultants and engineers need to plan accordingly. To obtain a copy of minimum design specifications and ADA requirements for boating facilities funded through the ODNR Division of Watercraft, contact: Carl Miller at 614-265-6446.

NEPA Compliance

Features proposed under the BIG Program cannot cause damage to the environment nor to historic features. If the scope and nature of your project requires an Environmental Assessment (EA) to be completed, it will be the grantee's responsibility to have the EA prepared and approved. All facilities must comply with requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act.