CDFW awards $2.7 million for boat ramps and golden mussel staffing

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife awarded $2.7 million through its Boating Access Grant Program to six projects. The money is federal Sport Fish Restoration funding, raised from excise taxes on fishing tackle and equipment, pleasure boats, and the small-engine and motorboat share of the federal gas tax.

The largest award, $704,000, goes to CDFW’s own Invasive Golden Mussel Program to add staff for monitoring, prevention, and containment. Last year about $1.3 million from the same fund paid for decontamination units, high-pressure wash stations, ramp and wash-station upgrades, and inspection training.

The rest of the round is launch and trail work. The Tehama County Transportation Commission receives $536,000 for the Woodson Boat Ramp on the Sacramento River, where erosion has damaged the launch. Inyo County receives $540,000 for the Owens River Water Trail on the Lower Owens near Lone Pine, which CDFW calls California’s first designated water trail on a river. The Tolowa Dee-ni’ Nation receives $315,000 to design a revitalized boat ramp at Xaa-wan’-k’wvt Village and Resort on the Smith River. The El Dorado Irrigation District receives $456,000 for the first construction phase of the Sly Park launch at Jenkinson Lake. Santa Clara County Parks receives $225,000 toward replacing the boat ramp at Alviso Marina County Park, adding to a 2025-26 grant at the southern start of the San Francisco Bay Water Trail.

About $3 million more is open for fiscal years 2027-28. Proposals are due at 4 p.m. on Nov. 5, 2026, through WebGrants. An online workshop on Oct. 21 at 10 a.m. is offered and is not required. Questions go to BoatingAccess@wildlife.ca.gov.

This is a The Gillnet news desk summary, not a reprint.

Source: CDFW via The Fishing Wire — $2.7 million in boating access and golden mussel grants (Oct. 7, 2026). Woodson ramp coverage: Action News Now.