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Harbor Assistance Program

In 1979, Wisconsin’s Legislature created the Harbor Assistance Program (HAP) to assist harbor communities along the Great Lakes and Mississippi River in maintaining and improving waterborne commerce. Port projects typically include dock reconstruction, mooring structure replacement, dredging, and the construction of facilities to hold dredged material. When funding is available, grant applications are accepted on a semi-annual basis on August 1 and February 1. There are 29 ports in the state that are potentially eligible for funding through the HAP.

To be eligible for funding:

• The project must benefit facilities that are used for cargo transfer, ship building, commercial fishing or regular ferry service;
• The applicant must be a local unit of government or a private owner of a harbor facility;
• The project must pass a rigorous benefit-cost analysis; and
• The project must have been identified in a current Three-Year Harbor Development Plan.

The following documents are available for HAP candidates:

• Program guidelines
• Application form
• Environmental screening sheets
• Three year harbor development statement of intentions
• Draft resolution document

For additional information, please contact:

Sheri Walz
Railroads and Harbors Section
sheria.walz@dot.wi.gov
(608) 267-9319

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Questions about the content of this page:
Sheri Walz, sheria.walz@dot.wi.gov
Last modified: August 9, 2012