SPRINGFIELD -- Governor George H. Ryan today announced $1 million in boat and canoe access grants to 11 local governments.
"These funds will help communities provide better public access to our rivers, lakes and streams, allowing Illinoisans to enjoy the many recreational benefits these waterways provide," Ryan said.
The facilities will serve communities on Lake Decatur, the Kinmundy Reservoir and Lake Taylorville as well as the Chicago, Des Plaines, Fox, Kishwaukee, Mississippi, and Rock rivers.
The grants, administered by the Department of Natural Resources, are awarded competitively. "Twenty-eight applications totaling more than $3.3 million were submitted to the Department for consideration," Director of DNR, Brent Manning.
The grant program is funded through fees that boaters pay on motor fuel and registrations for boats and canoes. The grants can provide up to 100 percent funding for construction of new and improved public boat access facilities and 90 percent funding for land acquisition costs related to providing boat access facilities. The maximum grant award allowed is $200,000.
Applications for next year's program can be submitted between July 1 and Sept 1. More information is available from the Department of Natural Resources, Division of Grant Administration, 524 S. Second St., Springfield, IL 62701-1787, or by calling 217/782-7481.
A list of grant recipients for this year is attached.
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1999 Boat Access Improvement Grants
City of Chicago, $50,000, to construct a non-motorized boat and canoe access launch, develop an access road and install security lighting at Clark Park located along the North Branch of the Chicago River. Contact person: Patti Gallagher, 312/742-0820.
Cook County Forest Preserve District, $50,000, to construct a canoe access/portage structure, a paved access trail, shoreline stabilization, landscaping and signage along the Des Plaines Rives at Dam #2 west of Glenview. Contact person: David Kircher, 708/771-1172.
Decatur Park District, $168,000, to construct a boat ramp, canoe and small boat access dock, a comfort station, parking area, walkways, pier reconstruction, drainage and channel improvements at the Sportsmen's Park Boat Access site on Lake Decatur. Contact person: Garry D. Little, 217/422-5911.
City of Grafton, $165,000, to improve existing boat ramps, construct a new parking area, a two-lane boat ramp with courtesy docks, mobile restroom facilities and provide security lighting at the public launch area located at the confluence of the Illinois and Mississippi Rivers. Contact person: Terry W. Draper, 618/786-3344.
Kendall County Forest Preserve District, $32,500, to develop a canoe launch, parking lot, pathways, a drinking well and hand pump, and signage and landscape restoration on the Fox River at the district's first riverfront preserve near Millbrook. Contact person: Jason Petitt, 630/553-4131.
City of Kinmundy, $100,000, to develop a public boat access area at the newly constructed Kinmundy Reservoir. Construction includes a single lane launch, a concrete approach area, and a parking area. Contact person: Marvin R. Jenkins, 618/548-8282.
Village of Lincolnshire, $12,000, to develop the first canoe access to the Des Plaines River in Lincolnshire with the construction of an accessible canoe launch and landscaping. Contact person: Lydia Scott, 847/883-8600.
City of Rock Island, $100,000, to construct boat launch facilities and a courtesy dock on the Rock River at Ben Williamson Park. Contact person: William Nelson, 309/788-9528.
Savanna Park District, $125,000, to reconstruct the boat ramps, construct restroom facilities, sidewalks and lighting on the Mississippi River at Marquette Park. Contact person: Barb High, 815/273-4487.
City of Taylorville, $160,000, to replace the existing boat ramps and docks, and to re-construct the parking area and restroom facilities at the Lake Taylorville Boat Ramp site. Contact person: Rocky Moore, 217/824-5606.
Winnebago County Forest Preserve District, $35,000, to develop a canoe launch area and parking area on the Kishwaukee River at the Blackhawk Springs Forest Preserve near Cherry Valley. Contact person: Tom Hartley, 815/877-6100.
