Clean Vessel Act Grant Program

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Recreational boating is a popular activity in the U.S. There are approximately 13 million registered boats in the U.S., and each year approximately 70 million people enjoy a host of water-based recreational opportunities, such as fishing, cruising, waterskiing, and spending time with family and friends. Many recreational boats are equipped with on-board toilets and wastewater holding tanks. Proper disposal of recreational boat-related sewage is important in preserving and improving water quality in the country’s vital aquatic ecosystems. CVA provides States, the District of Columbia, Commonwealths, and territories with federal funding to support their ongoing efforts to improve recreational boating opportunities and provide boaters with the clean, efficient facilities to preclude disposing of waste into public waterways and other ecosystems. CVA is one of the Service’s “user pay, user benefit” grant programs. Excise taxes paid for fuel taxes attributable to recreational boating and sport fishing equipment go into the Sport Fish Restoration and Boating Trust Fund. Approximately two percent of the trust fund is available for CVA grants each fiscal year. This year, we expect CVA to fund approximately $13 million in grants. Each year pumpouts and dump stations funded through CVA and matched with State, local, and/or private funds have a large impact on reducing the amount of potential waste in our nation’s waters. CVA has had tremendous benefits from improving public drinking water, restoring river ecosystems, keeping coastal waters conveniently serviced, and informing boaters in popular reservoirs how best to dispose of vessel sewage. Since the inception of CVA, over 4000 pumpouts and dump stations have been built and are in use. Through dedication of the States, private marinas, the Sport Fishing and Boating Partnership Council, States Organization for Boating Access, environmental groups, and the boating public, millions of gallons of sewage have been diverted from polluting U.S. waters each year. These groups have also been instrumental in maintaining and operating the facilities in working order and providing information for the boating public regarding the importance of keeping our waters clean and using pumpout and dump stations whenever possible.

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