Ryan Announces $725,000 In Boat Access Grants For 12 Communities

SPRINGFIELD - Governor George H. Ryan today announced $725,000 in grants to assist 12 local governments in improving facilities for boat and canoe access to Illinois lakes, rivers and streams.

"These grants will allow greater access to boating and canoeing, and enhance water sport recreation in Illinois," Ryan said. "Since 1968, this grant program has provided funding support for 391 local projects throughout the state."

The grants include one for land acquisition for a future boat access site near Maeystown on the Mississippi River in Monroe County. The other 11 grants are for construction projects. Six of those are for motor boat accesses on the Kankakee, Mississippi (2), Ohio, Rock and Wabash rivers. Five construction projects are for non-motorized boat and canoe launches on the Chicago, Des Plaines and Middle Fork rivers, Fitch Lake in Canton and Salt Creek in Elmhurst.

The grants, administered by the Department of Natural Resources, are awarded on a competitive basis. A total of 21 applicants sought nearly $1.8 million in funding.

The program is funded through fees boaters pay on motor fuel and registrations for boats and canoes. 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.

Applications for next year's program may 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.

FY 2000 BOAT ACCESS IMPROVEMENT GRANTS

VILLAGE OF BATCHTOWN, (Calhoun Co.), $120,300, to construct a motorized boat ramp at the Cockrel Hollow access located at Mississippi River mile 243, pool 25. The development project will also include road improvements, harbor dredging, rip rap protection, tree planting and security lighting. (Contact person: Richard Ringhausen, 618/576-2446).

CANTON PARK DISTRICT, (Fulton Co.), $8,000, to construct a non-motorized boat dock at Fitch Lake located in Lakeland Park on the west side of the city of Canton. (Contact person: Gary G. Baker, 309/647-1345).

CITY OF CHICAGO - DEPARTMENT OF PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT (Cook Co.), $50,000, to develop a non-motorized canoe launch, floating dock, gangway, and landscaping located on the north shore channel of the Chicago River in Lincoln Village. (Contact person: Patti Gallagher, 312/744-4142).

DIXON PARK DISTRICT, (Lee Co.), $33,600, to reconstruct motorized boat access ramps and to construct floating docks and walkways at Page Park located on the Rock River. (Contact person: Phil Johnson, 815/284-3306).

ELMHURST PARK DISTRICT, (DuPage Co.), $35,000, to construct a non-motorized canoe access ramp in Eldridge Park near Butterfield Road and Illinois Route 83 on the west side of Salt Creek in Elmhurst. (Contact person: Laura Guttman, 630/993-8920).

CITY OF GRAYVILLE, (White Co.), $112,300, to construct a motorized boat launch, parking lot and rip rap near Interstate 64 right-of-way on the Wabash River south of Grayville. (Contact person: Lisa A. Michels, 618/445-3612).

GURNEE PARK DISTRICT, (Lake Co.), $20,000, to construct a non-motorized canoe ramp at Gowe Park on the DesPlaines River In Gurnee. The project also includes improvements to parking, a restroom and signs. (Contact person: Chuck Balling, 847/623-7788).

VILLAGE OF HAMBURG, (Calhoun County), $56,500, to develop a motorized boat access ramp and floating dock on the Mississippi River in the village of Hamburg. A parking lot will also be developed across the road from the boat access site. (Contact person: Gary A. Carruthers, 618/498-6418).

KANKAKEE VALLEY PARK DISTRICT, (Kankakee Co.), $55,000, to improve a motorized boat access area on the south bank of the Kankakee River in Kankakee. The project includes replacement of the existing boat ramp, a new dock, an upgrade of the parking area and site lighting. (Contact person: Jayson Earleywine, 815/932-7406).

MONROE COUNTY, $37,800, to acquire 17.1 acres in western Monroe County to provide the only public access for boating on a 94 mile stretch of the Mississippi River. (Contact person: Ronald A. Polka, 618/939-8681).

PULASKI COUNTY, $156,200, to construct a motorized boat ramp and parking facilities two miles up river from Lock & Dam #53 on the Ohio River near the village of New Grand Chain. (Contact person: Crystal Davenport, 618/634-2284).

VERMILION COUNTY CONSERVATION DISTRICT, $40,000, to construct a non-motorized boat launch on the east bank of the Middle Fork River in Kennekuk County Park. The Middle Fork is the only nationally designated scenic river in Illinois. (Contact person: Ken Konsis, 217/442-1691).