Environment DEC
From the August 2003 issue
State Receives Federal Clean Vessels Grant
New York State has received a $450,900 grant from the US Fish and Wildlife Service's Clean Vessel Act Pumpout Program. The grant will help support programs that build, renovate and maintain marine pumpout facilities for recreational boaters.
The Pumpout Program helps to increase the availability, public awareness and use of pumpout stations to receive sewage waste from marine recreational vessels.
Uses of Grant Monies
The grant will support local projects through New York State's Clean Vessel Assistance Program (CVAP) and Clean Vessel Act Local Information and Education Program, both administered jointly by DEC and the Environmental Facilities Corporation (EFC). Grant monies can be used to install new pumpout facilities and replacement and upgrade projects, as well as for initiatives that provide boaters with information about the importance of proper sewage disposal.
CVAP provides federally funded grants of up to 75 percent of eligible project costs, with a current maximum of $25,000 per project, for public and private marinas to install and promote the use of pumpout facilities. More than 250 pumpout projects in five waterway areas have been supported by the project, including three Coastal zones (Marine District, Hudson River and Great Lakes) and two Inland zones (connected waterways, such as the canal system and isolated water bodies).
Education Program
The state's recently introduced Clean Vessel Act Local Information and Education Program provides municipalities and nonprofit organizations with grants of up to $5,000. Funds can be used for materials that increase awareness of pumpout facilities and water pollution protection, including printed publications, advertisements, signs, websites and other means.
Applications are accepted continuously for both state programs and are available on the EFC website at the link below.
