Starting today, California State Parks’ Division of Boating and Waterways (DBW) is accepting grant applications from organizations that teach on-the-water boating safety education to the public. A total of $1.6 million in grants is available to local public agencies, nonprofit organizations and colleges/universities operating within California for Aquatic Center Education Program grants. The deadline to apply is Thursday, Oct. 26, 2023, at noon.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – With the unofficial end of summer approaching this Labor Day holiday weekend, California State Parks’ Division of Boating and Waterways (DBW) is reminding boaters and water enthusiasts to take extra precautions to stay safe and prevent tragedies on the water. Taking a boating safety course, wearing a life jacket while recreating in the water and actively supervising children when in or near a body of water are simple actions all can take to help improve safety on California’s waterways.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – California State Parks’ Division of Boating and Waterways (DBW) is now accepting applications from public and private marina owners for federal Boating Infrastructure Grants (BIG) for 2024. A total of $18 million is available for BIG projects nationally and the grants can fund up to 75% of total project costs, with a maximum available grant award of $1.5 million. Applications will be accepted through Tuesday, Aug. 1, 2023.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – California State Parks’ Division of Boating and Waterways (DBW) is now accepting grant applications for the Clean Vessel Act (CVA) Education and Outreach Grant Program. A maximum of $276,937 federal funding per targeted region is available to organizations for educating coastal and San Francisco Bay-Delta Estuary recreational boaters about proper vessel sewage disposal and the use of pumpout facilities and monitoring pumpout and dump stations.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – California State Parks’ Division of Boating and Waterways (DBW) reminds recreational boaters to avoid alcohol this Fourth of July holiday weekend, a time known for increased boaters on the waters where alcohol use is prevalent, as are subsequent boating incidents and fatalities. To combat impaired boating, law enforcement agencies across the country are intensifying their efforts July 1-3 as part of Operation Dry Water. In California, more than 44 law enforcement entities across California will increase patrols and/or carry out BUI checkpoints.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — California State Parks’ Division of Boating and Waterways (DBW) kicks off the official boating season in California in coordination with National Safe Boating Week held May 20–26, 2023. DBW encourages all boaters and outdoor enthusiasts to brush up on boating safety skills and prepare for the boating season. This observance week is a global awareness effort that encourages boaters to make the most of their boating adventure by being responsible. One of the important safety measures to take while boating is wearing life jackets.

California State Parks’ Division of Boating and Waterways (DBW) today announced the availability of grant funding to prevent the further spread of quagga and zebra mussels into California’s waterways. Funded by the California Boater Mussel Fee Sticker (popularly known as the Quagga sticker), the Quagga and Zebra Mussel Infestation program expects to award up to $3 million to eligible applicants. Applications will be accepted from April 10-May 19, 2023.

SACRAMENTO, Calif.— With this season’s statewide snowpack at 237% of average as of April 3, California State Parks’ Division of Boating and Waterways (DBW), the Department of Water Resources (DWR) and the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) are urging the public to take extra precautions and to be aware of cold-water dangers this spring to avoid a tragedy. The series of winter storms is causing rising river and stream flow levels not seen in years. The eventual spring warm-up will bring fast flows and cold temperatures when all that snow starts to melt. All Californians are being encouraged to wait until summer to recreate in the water, when conditions are safer.

SACRAMENTO, Calif.— California State Parks’ Division of Boating and Waterways (DBW) is now accepting grant applications to help local public entities enhance safety on California’s waterways and protect them from abandoned and unwanted vessels. The application period for the competitive grant programs, Boating Safety and Enforcement Equipment (BSEE) and Surrendered and Abandoned Vessel Exchange (SAVE), is open from March 15 through April 28, 2023. Interested applicants are encouraged to participate in an applicant workshop.

California State Parks’ Division of Boating and Waterways (DBW) announced today its plans for this year’s Aquatic Invasive Plant Control Program in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta and its southern tributaries. Starting tomorrow, March 1, DBW will begin herbicide treatments to control water hyacinth, South American spongeplant, Uruguay water primrose, Alligator weed, Brazilian waterweed, curlyleaf pondweed, Eurasian watermilfoil, hornwort (aka coontail), and fanwort.