My point about posting this was to question why US Fish and Wildlife Service
funds are being used to build boat ramps. Why aren't marine fuel tax funds
being used, I wonder? It's not as if Iowa's fish and wildlife have no needs.

Jane Clark

----- Original Message -----
From: Jane Clark <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Tuesday, September 14, 2004 12:37 PM
Subject: Fish and Wildlife Grant for big boats


> I am not sure why the U.S. F&W Service needs to provide funding for larger
> boats to have access to Iowa waters. This is from the DNR press releasese
> today.
> Jane Clark
>
> MARINAS MAY APPLY FOR GRANT TO PROVIDE FACILITIES FOR LARGER BOATS
>
> The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will receive a $100,000
> grant from the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service to improve boating access,
> strengthen community ties to the water and promote the awareness of
> transient boating opportunities.  This grant is made available through
> the Boating Infrastructure Grant (BIG) program.
>
> Transient boats are boats that are 26 feet long or longer.  Facilities
> to accommodate these larger boats are often insufficient and sometimes
> lacking totally.  Transient boaters are unable to enjoy many of the
> recreational, cultural, historical, scenic and natural resources
> opportunities associated with waters they boat, said Martin Konrad, who
> coordinates the BIG program for the DNR.
>
> The grant is being offered to public marinas that have a need to create
> or improve transient boat facilities.  Marinas along the Mississippi and
> Missouri rivers are the most likely recipients for the program money,
> Konrad said.
>
> "These rivers lack the marinas or commercial tie-up facilities along
> extended stretches that benefit transient boats," Konrad said.
> "Basic facilities such as tie-ups, fueling docks, utilities and
> restrooms are mostly non-existent."
>
> Marina owners and operators interested in the program should contact
> Martin Konrad at 515/281-6976.  Interested parties must submit grant
> proposals to the DNR by October 15, 2004.
>
> ###
>

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