By JOANNA GILKESON
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

America’s waterways provide critical wildlife habitat, drinking water for Americans across the country, and recreational opportunities to millions. To advance both purposes, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced today more than $16.2 million in funding to 27 states under the Clean Vessel Act grant program.

Four of those 27 states happen to be from the Midwest including Illinois, Indiana, Michigan and Missouri and will receive more than $550,000 in CVA grant funding. Inland grant funding is used for projects on rivers or lakes, while coastal grant funds are used in the Great Lakes area, or near the ocean.

CVA provides grant funds for the 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 about the benefits of pumpout systems. States apply for CVA funding and they or their partners provide matching funds to complete projects. Sub-grantees often include local municipalities and private marinas.

“The Clean Vessel Act is critical in helping the states maintain clean and healthy waters,” said Service Director Dan Ashe. “Systems built through these funds ensure that clean drinking water, sustainable ecosystems, and healthy recreational areas will be accessible to the American public and wildlife.”

Indiana will received $62,125 for coastal projects, and $248,125 for inland projects. The Indiana Department of Environmental Management plans to construct or renovate both inland and coastal pumpouts with partners applying through their application system.  They will also fund operation and maintenance for partners already involved in providing pumpouts for boaters.  In addition, they will be educating and informing boaters as well as the public about the CVA grant program. This will be accomplished through the use of social media and other educational opportunities as well as updated publications and online pumpout/dump station maps.

In addition to traditional on-dock pump outs, projects include pumpout boats that travel in designated harbors to make the sewage collection process more efficient and convenient. Some states also install floating restrooms in areas where boaters congregate and no restrooms are available.

“In additional to its environmental benefits, the CVA program has substantial economic impact on local communities through job creation,” said Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Assistant Director Hannibal Bolton.  “This is a win-win situation for conservation and businesses across America.”

Since the first CVA awards were distributed in 1993, the Service’s Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Program has awarded more than $246 million to states. Funds for the CVA program are provided annually from the Sport Fish Restoration and Boating Trust fund.  These funds are supported through the Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration user-pay user-benefit model and 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.

For a detailed list of 2015 CVA project award summaries visit: http://wsfrprograms.fws.gov/Subpages/GrantPrograms/CVA/CVA2015Funding.pdf.

For more information on the CVA program visit: http://wsfrprograms.fws.gov/Subpages/GrantPrograms/CVA/CVA.htm

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