Arizona State Parks & Trails still has more than $1 million in grants available to waterfront communities and public safety agencies for ocean-focused projects and purchases this year.
Grants through the State Lake Improvement Fund were highly competitive in the 1990s and 2000s, but the program disappeared for about a decade in the 2010s. SLIF grants are back in Arizona, thanks to a one-time budget appropriation in the last three Congresses, but competition for that funding is significantly less than before the hiatus.
SLIF grants will be available for the first time in over a decade in 2021-22, thanks to a $4 million appropriation from the Arizona General Fund. To this amount was added an additional $900,000 in his SLIF grant from the state portion of the American Rescue Planning Act. The State Parks Commission ultimately approved SLIF grants totaling $4,336,388 for FY21-22. State Parks and Trails spokeswoman Michelle Thompson said the remaining $563,000 will be supplemented by an additional $4 million from the state in SLIF grants this year, bringing the total grants available this year to up to $450. He said it would be over $10,000.
So far, the State Parks Commission has approved $2,668,937 in SLIF grants for 2022-23, but Thompson said that amount is likely to go higher soon.
“There are grant applications at the June board meeting that are likely to be approved, and there will be more,” she said.
Thompson said part of the reason for the low numbers so far this year is likely because much of the grants awarded last year went to boats. However, due to supply chain issues, many of these boats are not expected to be delivered until this summer.
“When these subsidies expire, we expect to see many more applications from the same institutions,” Thompson said. “But I don’t know why there have been no more applications in general. There may be a problem with the organization’s ability to manage
Thompson recommends that any qualified agency consider applying. Especially since Arizona’s fiscal 2013-2024 budget includes $5.2 million that will be allocated as SLIF grants next year. Thompson said there is no deadline as applications are accepted year-round, and the park provides workshops and support for the application itself. For more information on the application, please visit his website at: azstateparks.com/state-lake-improvement-fund-grants.
“We look forward to hearing from you,” Thompson said. “
SLIF Grant in Mojave, La Paz
Many local agencies in northwest Arizona have jumped at the opportunity since SLIF grants returned last year.
Mojave County in particular has been one of the largest beneficiaries of SLIF grants, both historically and since the grants returned. Because Mojave County is also the most popular county for gas-powered vessels he generates income for SLIF through fuel sales. A 2016 study found that Mojave County accounted for 47% of the boating days recorded statewide that year. Maricopa County was second with 25%, followed by La Paz (14%), Yuma (4%) and Gila (3%). All other counties together account for 6% of boating days in the state.
So far this year, Mojave County agencies have received just over $2 million in SLIF grants, but just over $2 million out of the nearly $2.67 million total awarded by the State Parks Commission to date. there is
Mojave County and Lake Havasu are the only two agencies to receive the maximum allowed $800,000 grant so far this year. The county has used the grant to purchase boats and equipment for the Mojave County Sheriff’s Office fleet, and the Havasu grant has been used to improve the city’s boat launch lanes, which were built 50 years ago. It will cover part of the city’s Site 6 Ramp and seawall project.
The Mojave Valley Fire District received SLIF grants totaling $387,500 this year to replace its fleet of utility watercraft.
The only other SLIF grant approved in Mojave County this year is a $16,234 amendment to the Bullhead City Police Department’s Water Safety Expansion project. The BHCPD had received a SLIF grant of $285,900 for the project last year, but the higher-than-expected cost was amended when the tender came in.
In La Paz County, the Buckskin Fire District received a $215,150 grant to repair a boat launchway. La Paz County also received $180,053 from SLIF for structural improvements to county parks.
The only other grant approved for fiscal year 2022-23 before the board’s June meeting is $270,000 for jet skis to the Coconino Sheriff’s Office. But last year, other agencies also received SLIF grants, including Maricopa County ($620,791), Arizona Game and Fish ($978,089), and Timber Mesa Forest Medical District ($53,280).
