"Clean water in the Great Lakes and our regions scenic rivers not only benefits fish and wildlife but also the thousands of people who count on these waterways for recreation," said Robyn Thorson, regional director for the Services Great Lakes -- Big Rivers Region. "These grants will help the states with much needed funding for projects that will help keep waterways clean as well as educate boaters on the importance of proper sewage disposal."
The Service received 38 proposals from 27 States requesting $15.9 million in funding this fiscal year. All of the proposals were reviewed and ranked by representatives from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S. Coast Guard, Environmental Protection Agency and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. The reviewers recommended funding all of the proposals, although available funds required that eight receive less than the amounts requested.
The Service has awarded $90 million to states through the Clean Vessel Pumpout Program grants since 1992. The current fiscal year is the last year of the programs current authorization.
A summary of this years grants to Midwest states includes:
Indiana: Indiana Department of Environmental Management will receive $179,715 to develop pumpout facilities at Lake James, Lake Freeman, and Lake Shafer and one facility on the Ohio River. The state also plans to purchase one pumpout boat for use on the Ohio River.
Michigan: Michigan Department of Natural Resources will receive $60,000 to be used to fund grants to local governments and private marina operators to develop pumpout facilities along the Great Lakes.
Minnesota: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources will receive $40,000 to construct pumpout facilities on the St. Croix River in Washington County, on the Mississippi River in Winona County, and at Leech Lake.
Missouri: The Missouri Department of Conservation will receive $36,000 to provide pumpout facilities at three marinas in the state.
Ohio: Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Division of Watercraft will receive $158,000 to develop pumpout stations at eight locations along Lake Erie. The Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Division of Watercraft will receive $201,000 to develop pumpout stations at six locations including Atwood Lake, Seneca Lake, and on the Ohio River.
(Note: Funds used for maintenance and education are not included in these summaries)
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 95-million-acre National Wildlife Refuge System, which encompasses 540 national wildlife refuges, thousands of small wetlands and other special management areas. It also operates 69 national fish hatcheries, 64 fishery resource offices and 81 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.
