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Clean Vessel Act

docked boat with pumpout equipmentabout
The Clean Vessel Act (CVA) provides funding for the construction of pumpout and dump station facilities to help ensure proper disposal of sewage from recreational boats. Raw or poorly treated sewage can spread disease, contaminate shellfish beds and lower oxygen levels in water.

The CVA was authorized by Congress in 1992 and reauthorized in 1998 to extend through 2003. The reauthorization provided $50 million in additional funding to continue developing alternatives to overboard disposal of recreational boater sewage. The Act ensures all recreational vessels will have access to pumpouts or dump stations.

funding
CVA makes grants available to the states on a competitive basis for construction and/or renovation, operation and maintenance of pumpout and portable toilet dump stations. States are encouraged to partner with local governmental agencies and private entities. Federal funds can be used to reimburse up to 75 percent of the approved project costs. The remaining funds must come from state or local sources.

The Grant Program is funded through the Sport Fish Restoration Program. Federal excise taxes paid on fishing equipment and motorboat fuels help fund the program, making it a "user pay / user benefit" program with boaters paying for the facilities they use.

activities
Typical CVA projects include:

  • pumpouts for boat holding tanks
  • portable pumpouts and pumpout boats
  • floating restrooms
  • installation of docks to hold pumpouts
  • information for marinas and boaters of the importance of proper waste disposal

    • For infomation about CVA grant opportunities in your state,
    contact your Boating Access Coordinator.

    ARIZONA | NEW MEXICO | OKLAHOMA | TEXAS

    For general information contact:
    Susan MacMullin
    Boating Access Grant Manager
    505-248-7476 / fax: 505-248-7471
    email: susan_macMullin@fws.gov

    U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
    Division of Federal Aid
    P.O. Box 1306
    Albuquerque, NM 87103-1306

    Resources
    Boating Access
    Clean Vessel Act
    Sport Fish Restoration Program

    Sites with Related Information
    States Organization for Boating Access
    Recreational Boating and Fishing Foundation

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