Clean Vessel Act Grants Help Boaters Keep Waters Clean

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) announced today that more than $11.7 million will be awarded to 25 states under the Clean Vessel Act (CVA) grant program in 2011. 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 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Acting Director Rowan Gould. “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."

For more information on 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