n support of recreational boating and clean water, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is awarding $16.6 million in grants to 21 states under the Clean Vessel Act (CVA) program. Four of these grants, totaling $929,904, will be awarded in the Southwest Region – one each in Arizona and Oklahoma and two in Texas. Arizona will receive an inland grant of $160,000. Oklahoma will be awarded an inland grant of $304,904. Texas will be awarded two CVA grants; a coastal grant of $240,000 and an inland grant
of $225,000.
Press Release
A total of $16.6 million in grants will be awarded to 21 states under the Clean Vessel Act (CVA)
program, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced today. Four of these grants will be awarded
in the Southwest Region – one each in Arizona and Oklahoma and two in Texas.
Since the first CVA awards were made in 1993, the Service has awarded more than $200 million to
states to fund construction, replacement, renovation and maintenance of facilities that assist
recreational boaters in properly disposing of on-board septic waste.
“Clean water is a fundamental need for both people and wildlife, and a perfect example of how the
fates of both are intertwined,” said Service Director Dan Ashe. “Clean Vessel Act grants not only
help ensure that clean drinking water, sustainable ecosystems and healthy recreational areas are
accessible to the American people, they also provide a substantial economic benefit for local
communities. These grants are another fine example of the Fish and Wildlife Service’s commitment
to ensuring our natural resources are conserved and protected for future generations.”
In the Southwest Region four grants totaling $929,904 will be awarded.
Arizona will receive an inland grant of $160,000. The Arizona Game and Fish Department will use
this grant to ensure continued functional disposal facilities at waterways needed by the boating
public. This grant will be used to upgrade an existing pump out facility at a major Arizona lake,
construct a new dump station and pump out station at Lake Havasu, and acquire a new pump out
boat for a major Arizona lake. Remaining funds will be used to maintain existing pump out stations
at major central Arizona lakes.
Oklahoma will be awarded an inland grant of $304,904. The Oklahoma Department of
Environmental Quality plans to install three pump out facilities to protect and restore water quality
on Oklahoma’s lakes and navigable waters. Burnt Cabin Marina on Lake Tenkiller will install
floating restrooms and a pump out station; Cross Timbers Marina on Skiatook Lake will install a
pump out station; and Newberry Creek Resort and Marina, Ltd. on Lake Texoma will install a pump
out facility.
Two grants will be awarded to Texas, a coastal grant of $240,000 and an inland grant of $225,000.
The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) will use the grants to enhance the infrastructure
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
News Release
Public Affairs Office
PO Box 1306
Albuquerque, NM 87103
505/248-6911
505/248-6915 (Fax)of their pump outs throughout the state by installing seven coastal and nine inland pump out
facilities. Additionally, TPWD will provide maintenance funds to keep existing pump outs
operational and continue their boater education program by developing and distributing educational
materials related to CVA and conducting workshops throughout Texas.
Funds for the CVA program are provided annually from the Sport Fish Restoration and Boating
Trust Fund, which is maintained through the collection of fishing tackle manufacturer excise taxes
and boat and fishing import duties, as well as motorboat and small engine fuel taxes.
“As one of the many programs supported by the Sport Fish Restoration and Boating Trust Fund,
CVA-funded pump-outs help boaters fulfill our commitment to clean water. After all, our 520,000
BoatU.S. members are not only on the water, their families often swim in it and eat fish from it.
Most importantly, widely available, accessible and working pump-out facilities make it easier to
deal with a basic need and get back to enjoying time on the water,” said BoatU.S. President
Margaret Bonds Podlich.
For more information on the 2014 grant awards made today visit:
http://wsfrprograms.fws.gov/Subpages/GrantPrograms/CVA/CVA2014Funding.pdf
For more information on the CVA program visit:
http://wsfrprograms.fws.gov/Subpages/GrantPrograms/CVA/CVA.htm
