Clean Vessel Act Grants Help Recreational Boaters Keep Waters Clean
Nearly $1.5 Million to Projects in Idaho, Oregon and Washington
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) announced today that more than $11.7 million will be awarded under the Clean Vessel Act grant program in 2011, with $1,498,000 awarded to projects in the Pacific Region. These projects enable states to improve or install pumpout stations and restroom facilities at lakes, reservoirs and rivers that protect our waters and provide operation and maintenance funding for coastal and inland facilities. These grants are also essential in enhancing partnerships with other natural resource agencies to inform marinas about the program.
In Idaho, the Department of Parks and Recreation will receive $120,690 to construct and/or renovate pumpout stations and floating restrooms for use by boaters across the state's lakes, reservoirs, and rivers.
The Oregon State Marine Board will receive $314,250 to provide maintenance assistance funds to assist with the operation and maintenance costs at 40 coastal and 31 inland publicly owned facilities Statewide, including 34 pumpout stations, 39 dump stations, and 19 floating restrooms. They will provide education to boaters, including information on the location and necessity of using pumpouts, dump stations, and floating restrooms, and will work in conjunction with the marine dealerships in providing new boaters information on proper vessel waste disposal. Additionally, they will continue a technical assistance program to both public and private operators for design and engineering, environmental permit approvals, wastewater treatment management permits, contracting and grant application assistance.
The Washington State Parks and Recreation Department plans to install or replace new sewage pumpout and dump station facilities with the $1,063,125 they will receive. They also plan to provide operation and maintenance funding for coastal and inland facilities throughout the State. They are also planning to enhance their partnership with other natural resource agencies to inform marinas about the program.
The first Clean Vessel Act awards were made in 1993 and since then the Service's Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Program has awarded more than $187 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 pumpouts.
"Clean Vessel Act grants have a substantial economic impact on local communities and help support recreational boating operations that depend on clean water for a healthy environment," said Robyn Thorson, Regional Director of the Service's Pacific Region. "I am pleased that these efforts are put in place to benefit wildlife, sport fishing, recreational boating, and communities across America."
Funds for the CVA program are provided annually from the Sport Fish Restoration and Boating Trust fund. These funds are derived through the collection of fishing tackle manufacturer excise taxes and boat and fishing import duties as well as motorboat and small engine fuel taxes. The program supports the user-pay, user-benefit cycle that has led to the successes of the Sport Fish Restoration programs. States apply for CVA funding and their partners provide matching funds to complete projects. Sub-grantees often include local municipalities and private marinas.
In addition to traditional on-dock pumpouts, projects include pumpout boats that travel in designated harbors to make the sewage collection process more efficient and convenient. Some states also have begun installing floating restrooms in areas where boaters congregate and no restrooms are available.
"The Clean Vessel Act is a critical tool in helping the states to maintain clean and healthy waters for people and wildlife alike," said Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Assistant Director Hannibal Bolton. "The pumpouts built through these funds ensure that clean drinking water, sustainable ecosystems, and healthy recreational areas will be accessible to both the American people and America's Great Outdoors."
To see a complete list of the 2011 grant awards made today visit:
http://wsfrprograms.fws.gov/Subpages/GrantPrograms/CVA/CVA2011Funding.pdf.
For more information on the CVA program visit:
http://wsfrprograms.fws.gov/Subpages/GrantPrograms/CVA/CVA.htm
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) announced today that more than $11.7 million will be awarded under the Clean Vessel Act grant program in 2011, with $1,498,000 awarded to projects in the Pacific Region. These projects enable states to improve or install pumpout stations and restroom facilities at lakes, reservoirs and rivers that protect our waters and provide operation and maintenance funding for coastal and inland facilities. These grants are also essential in enhancing partnerships with other natural resource agencies to inform marinas about the program.
In Idaho, the Department of Parks and Recreation will receive $120,690 to construct and/or renovate pumpout stations and floating restrooms for use by boaters across the state's lakes, reservoirs, and rivers.
The Oregon State Marine Board will receive $314,250 to provide maintenance assistance funds to assist with the operation and maintenance costs at 40 coastal and 31 inland publicly owned facilities Statewide, including 34 pumpout stations, 39 dump stations, and 19 floating restrooms. They will provide education to boaters, including information on the location and necessity of using pumpouts, dump stations, and floating restrooms, and will work in conjunction with the marine dealerships in providing new boaters information on proper vessel waste disposal. Additionally, they will continue a technical assistance program to both public and private operators for design and engineering, environmental permit approvals, wastewater treatment management permits, contracting and grant application assistance.
The Washington State Parks and Recreation Department plans to install or replace new sewage pumpout and dump station facilities with the $1,063,125 they will receive. They also plan to provide operation and maintenance funding for coastal and inland facilities throughout the State. They are also planning to enhance their partnership with other natural resource agencies to inform marinas about the program.
The first Clean Vessel Act awards were made in 1993 and since then the Service's Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Program has awarded more than $187 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 pumpouts.
"Clean Vessel Act grants have a substantial economic impact on local communities and help support recreational boating operations that depend on clean water for a healthy environment," said Robyn Thorson, Regional Director of the Service's Pacific Region. "I am pleased that these efforts are put in place to benefit wildlife, sport fishing, recreational boating, and communities across America."
Funds for the CVA program are provided annually from the Sport Fish Restoration and Boating Trust fund. These funds are derived through the collection of fishing tackle manufacturer excise taxes and boat and fishing import duties as well as motorboat and small engine fuel taxes. The program supports the user-pay, user-benefit cycle that has led to the successes of the Sport Fish Restoration programs. States apply for CVA funding and their partners provide matching funds to complete projects. Sub-grantees often include local municipalities and private marinas.
In addition to traditional on-dock pumpouts, projects include pumpout boats that travel in designated harbors to make the sewage collection process more efficient and convenient. Some states also have begun installing floating restrooms in areas where boaters congregate and no restrooms are available.
"The Clean Vessel Act is a critical tool in helping the states to maintain clean and healthy waters for people and wildlife alike," said Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Assistant Director Hannibal Bolton. "The pumpouts built through these funds ensure that clean drinking water, sustainable ecosystems, and healthy recreational areas will be accessible to both the American people and America's Great Outdoors."
To see a complete list of the 2011 grant awards made today visit:
http://wsfrprograms.fws.gov/Subpages/GrantPrograms/CVA/CVA2011Funding.pdf.
For more information on the CVA program visit:
http://wsfrprograms.fws.gov/Subpages/GrantPrograms/CVA/CVA.htm
