Service Awards more than $16 Million in Grants to Support Recreational Boating and Clean Waters

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced today that more than $16.2 million will be awarded to 27 states under the Clean Vessel Act (CVA) grant program for 2015.  Funding for the CVA program is provided annually from the Sport Fish Restoration and Boating Trust fund which provides monies to States derived from excise taxes paid by citizens on motor boat and small engine gas and fishing equipment.  The purpose of the CVA program is to protect our waters and enhancing the experiences of anglers and recreational boaters. 
 
The first Clean Vessel Act awards were made in 1993. Since that time, the Service’s Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Program has awarded more than $246 million to states for projects funding construction, replacement, renovation, and maintenance of facilities that assist recreational boaters in properly disposing of on-board septic waste. The program also provides information and education on the importance, benefits, and availability of pump outs.
 
“Clean Vessel Act grants are essential to ensure clean water and healthy environments that allow for recreational boating opportunities,” said USFWS Pacific Regional Director, Robyn Thorson. “The CVA program has a substantial economic impact on local communities, which is a win-win situation for conservation initiatives and businesses across America.”
 
With every purchase of fishing tackle, bait, rods, and reels, dollars are compiled and redistributed back to the states from the Sport Fish Restoration program in the form of CVA funding.  Funds are also generated from boat and fishing import duties as well as motorboat and small engine fuel taxes. This program supports the user-pay, public-benefit cycle that has led to the successes of the Service’s Sport Fish Restoration programs. States apply for CVA funding and they or their partners (often local municipalities and private marinas) provide matching funds to complete these necessary projects.
 
"The Clean Vessel Act is a critical tool in helping the states to maintain clean and healthy waters for people and wildlife alike," said Assistant Director Hannibal Bolton of the Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Program. "The pump outs built through these funds ensure that clean drinking water, sustainable ecosystems, and healthy recreational areas will be accessible to the American people."
 
This year, the state of Washington is awarded more than $2,000,000 with $525,000 slated for projects on inland waterways and the remainder for projects along the coast.  Combined with non-federal matching funds, Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission (WSPRC) will install new pumpout facilities and replace aging units throughout the State, with particular emphasis on locations among the San Juan Islands, Lake Washington, South Puget Sound, and Grays Harbor.  This project also provides a strong educational program informing boaters of the State and Federal regulations that forbid the dumping raw sewage in nearshore waters, the results of which can negatively impact humans, aquatic organisms, birds and other wildlife species. 
 
WSPRC will be protecting inland waters with similar improvements and installations, focusing on areas of the Columbia River, Crow Butte Park, the Town of Entiat, Banks Lake, Moses Lake, and Potholes Reservoir.  Partnering with regional non-profit organizations, this year's project also supports regional economic growth with much needed operation and maintenance funds provided to public and private marinas.
 
The State of Hawaii will receive $664,907 to be administered by the Hawaii Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation.  Plans are being drawn up to construct a new sewage pumpout at the Haleiwa Small Boat Harbor and to construct three new floating restrooms (one at the Ala Wai Small Boat Harbor and two at Keehi Small Boat Harbor).  The Ala Wai and Kehi facilities will each receive a new pumpout boat that will protect the islands’ waterways.  These boats travel within designated harbors nationwide to make the sewage collection process more efficient and convenient, a successful endeavor that provides healthy wildlife habitat, clean drinking water and recreational opportunities to millions.
 
“As the beneficiaries of the programs and equipment fund by these Clean Vessel Act grants, boaters have a deep appreciation of this announcement,” said Margaret B. Podlich, President of  BoatU.S. “These grants, supported by boaters’ tax dollars, have a direct impact on keeping our  waterways clean and making boating better. Along with their state agency partners, we applaud  the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for their commitment to the program and look forward to its renewal as part of the reauthorization of the Sport Fish Restoration and Boating Trust Fund.”

For a detailed list of 2015 CVA project award summaries visit:
http://wsfrprograms.fws.gov/Subpages/GrantPrograms/CVA/CVA2015Funding.pdf.
 
For more information on the CVA program visit:
http://wsfrprograms.fws.gov/Subpages/GrantPrograms/CVA/CVA.htm.