$16 Million for Local Waterways and Recreational Boaters

Recreational boaters, local communities and aquatic resources will benefit from more than $16 million in grant funds, thanks to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Clean Vessel Act (CVA) program. The CVA program fosters clean water and recreational access through funding to state agencies for the construction, renovation, operation and maintenance of pump-out stations and waste-receiving facilities.

In FY 2022, 26 states will receive a total of $16.6 million in federal assistance to keep local waterways healthy. Partner agencies will provide more than $5 million in non-federal matching funds toward this year’s CVA projects. States also use CVA grant funds to provide educational information to the public about environmental pollution, health problems that result from direct sewage discharge into waterways, and the location of pump-out and other waste-receiving facilities.

“Our state agency partners and the boating community play a crucial role in keeping waterways clean and accessible for their communities and for wildlife,” said Service Director Martha Williams. “Grants made under the CVA program are great examples of the Service’s commitment to working with state and local partners to improve infrastructure and support conservation efforts. These funds and projects complement the Biden-Harris Administration’s work under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Bipartisan Infrastructure Law
The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) is a once-in-a-generation investment in the nation’s infrastructure and economic competitiveness. We were directly appropriated $455 million over five years in BIL funds for programs related to the President’s America the Beautiful initiative.

Learn more about Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and the America the Beautiful initiative.”

These grants provide important funding to states to build and maintain facilities and support the upkeep and addition of needed infrastructure. Pump-out systems built or purchased with these funds ensure recreational boaters have a safe, convenient and effective method to dispose of on-board sewage. Since the program’s inception in 1993, the Service has allocated more than $329 million in CVA grants to states and territories, which has supported states in keeping millions of gallons of wastewater out of our nation’s recreational waters. 

Funds for the program are provided annually from the Sport Fish Restoration and Boating Trust Fund. Monies deposited into the Sport Fish Restoration and Boating Trust Fund are derived from excise taxes on fishing equipment, motorboat and small engine fuels, import duties and interest on the fund. State fish and wildlife agencies must provide at least 25 percent of the grant project’s costs. These partnership efforts are a win-win for clean water and the many people who enjoy recreational boating and the great outdoors.

Find more information about the CVA program.