$16M EPA Grants Cut Boat Waste

What Happened?
Through the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Clean Vessel Act program, Michigan will be awarded $200,000 to support projects to help recreational boaters dispose of on-board septic waste. The federal grant is part of $16.6 million total being allocated among 21 states launching similar programs.

Goal
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is distributing $16.6 million in federal grants to 21 states across the country under the Clean Vessel Act program. In the Midwest Region alone, more than $700,000 was awarded to four states:

• $100,000 to Illinois
• $362,140 to Indiana
• $50,000 to Missouri
• $200,000 to Michigan

The federal grants are going to support programs designed for improving septic waste disposal in the recreational boating sector. Known as Boat Pumpout Grants, the federal funding will be used to create new or upgrade marine sewage disposal facilities, pumpouts and dump stations.

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources will use the $200,000 to construct a pumpout at the East Tawas State Park. Remaining funds will aid in educational outreach to marinas and the public on the benefits of the Clean Vessel Act grant program.

In Michigan, Boat Pumpout Grants are provided to both private and public boating facilities that service the general public. Projects to be funded include:

• Dump stations
• Additional pumpouts at large boating facilities
• Pumpouts for mooring facilities with at least 15 slips
• Upgrades to older pumpout systems
• Installing floating restrooms where boaters congregate

The State of Michigan signs an agreement with the marina stating the Clean Vessel Act grant will cover 75 percent of the project’s cost and the marina will be responsible for the remaining 25 percent.

CVA Grant Program
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Clean Vessel Act grant program provides states and the District of Columbia with funds for construction, renovation, operation and maintenance of pumpout stations and waste facilities for recreational boaters. The money can also be used to launch educational programs addressing sewage disposal best practices. Each state assigns a public agency to participate in the CVA program, which in turn partners with local governments, private marinas and other boating organizations to fund projects.

The CVA program is funded through 2 percent of the Sport Fish Restoration and Boating Trust Fund, which collects from excise taxes on fishing equipment, motorboat and small engine fuels, import duties, and interest on the fund.

For the 214 fiscal year, Washington applied for the largest Clean Vessel Act grant. The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission asked for $1.5 million to install new pumpout facilities, maintain and replacing aging units statewide, and purchase new telemetry equipment. In 2013, Washington updated its Boating Sewage Disposal Facility plan with a new GIS tool that better targets areas throughout the state in highest need of new pumpout services. The state is also creating a smartphone app to enable boaters to access pumpout locations and services from their mobile devices.

Federal Parks and Rec Support
Gov1 has kept a close eye on federal grants from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the extensive green space projects enabled through federal funding.