U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service acting director Rowan Gould announced $12.8 million will be given to 31 states under the Clean Vessel Act grant program in 2010.
The grants will be used to fund the construction and installation of sewage pumpout facilities and floating restrooms, to purchase pumpout boats and to provide educational programs for recreational boaters.
"Clean Vessel Act funding supports the construction of facilities in communities that depend largely on recreational boating for their economy - and depend on clean water for their health and the health of their environment," Gould said in a statement. "In a time of economic uncertainty, these grants also provide an immediate investment in construction jobs and infrastructure that provide lasting value for recreational boaters, state agencies and local communities."
Some of the major grants include the following:
California: $2,462,451 - The California Department of Boating and Waterways plans to construct, install, upgrade and/or renovate four coastal pumpouts and one coastal dump station facility. It will also purchase one pumpout boat for use along the coast and propose to install nine floating restrooms and two pumpouts or dump stations along inland waterways. The funds will also support operation and maintenance for all coastal and inland pumpout/dump stations and pumpout boats.
Connecticut: $1,490,061 - The Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection plans to install two new pumpout or waste reception facilities, upgrade or replace four pumpout facilities, purchase two new pumpout boats, and renovate two others at facilities in Bridgeport, Darien, Groton, Derby, Stonington, Milford, Stamford, Norwalk and along Candlewood Lake. It will also support the operation and maintenance of pumpout facilities at up to 40 marina facilities along the coast and several others on Candlewood Lake, and provide education for boaters and marine facility operators regarding the importance of proper sewage disposal.
Florida: $1,917,042 - The Florida Department of Environmental Protection plans to install 51 pumpout facilities for inland and coastal waters, provide operation and maintenance of existing pumpouts, and provide education for boaters and marine facility operators regarding the importance of proper sewage disposal.
Massachusetts: $1,029,458 - The Division of Marine Fisheries plans to install or renovate two sewage pumpout facilities, purchase two sewage pumpout boats and provide operation and maintenance funding for existing sewage pumpout boats and facilities along the Merrimack River and in the cities of Rockport, Marblehead, Marshfield, and Tisbury. The agency will also continue its efforts to educate boaters about the importance of proper sewage disposal.
North Carolina: $75,879 - The North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources plans to install two new sewage pumpout facilities and renovate five sewage pumpout facilities throughout the state's inland waters and to continue its efforts to educate boaters about the importance of proper sewage disposal.
Click here for the complete list of grants.
