The projects selected by the Service involve requests for construction of 673 pumpout stations and 502 dump stations in 33 states, aquatic education programs in 26 states, surveys and plans in 4 coastal states, and miscellaneous projects such as upgrading waste treatment facilities to accept marine sewage and operation and maintenance in 14 states.
The Clean Vessel Act Pumpout Grant Program makes matching grants available, through a competitive process, to all states for construction and education efforts, and to coastal states to conduct surveys and develop plans. In addition to the Service grants, the states will contribute $2.6 million to the projects.
The grants come from the Sport Fish Restoration Account of the Aquatic Resources Trust Fund, commonly known as the Wallop-Breaux Fund. That fund results from a 10-percent excise tax on fishing equipment and a 3-percent tax on electric trolling motors and sonar fish finders, a portion of the Federal fuels tax, and import duties on fishing tackle and pleasure boats.
Not only does this program benefit boaters, who will have more numerous and convenient facilities to use, but also the public and the environment as a whole. Discharging waste into waters introduces disease-carrying microorganisms that contaminate aquatic environments and significantly impair their recreational value. People can be placed at risk by eating shellfish taken from, and by swimming in, affected bodies of water. In addition, abundant decaying wastes can deplete oxygen levels in the water, making it difficult for fish and other marine species to survive.
The following projects in the Fish and Wildife Service Great Lakes - Big Rivers Region will be funded this year:
INDIANA ($104,700)
The Indiana Department of Environmental Management asked to build 11 pumpout stations and implement an education program.
MICHIGAN ($163,100)
The Michigan Department of Natural Resources asked to build 50 dump stations, and implement an education program.
MINNESOTA ($60,800)
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources asked to build 10
pumpout stations.
OHIO ($102,930)
The Ohio Department of Health will conduct a survey, develop a
plan, build 12 pumpout stations and 12 dump stations, and
implement an education plan.
WISCONSIN ($19,950)
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources will build four
pumpout stations.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is the principal Federal agency responsible for conserving, protecting and enhancing fish, wildlife and plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. The Service manages the 93-million-acre National Wildlife Refuge System which encompasses more than 530 national wildlife refuges, thousands of small wetlands and other special management areas. It also operates 66 national fish hatcheries, 64 fishery resource offices and 78 ecological services field stations. The agency enforces Federal wildlife laws, administers the Endangered Species Act, manages migratory bird populations, restores nationally significant fisheries, conserves and restores wildlife habitat such as wetlands, and helps foreign governments with their conservation efforts. It also oversees the Federal Aid program that distributes hundreds of millions of dollars in excise taxes on fishing and hunting equipment to state fish and wildlife agencies. For further information about the programs and activities of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in the Great Lakes-Big Rivers Region, please visit our home page at: http://midwest.fws.gov
