Clean Vessel Act Program
Stored: Clean Vessel Act Program
| Type | Program |
|---|---|
| Sponsor Organization | Office of Conservation Investment |
| Top Organization | Department of the Interior |
| Creation Legislation | Clean Vessel Act of 1992 |
| Website | Website |
| Purpose | The Clean Vessel Act Program provides grants to states for pumpout stations and waste facilities to reduce sewage pollution from recreational boats. It aims to improve water quality and support aquatic ecosystems through boater sewage management. |
| Program Start | 1993 |
| Initial Funding | $40 million over 5 years |
| Duration | Ongoing |
| Historic | No |
Clean Vessel Act Program (CVA) is a Department of the Interior initiative administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Office of Conservation Investment that has awarded over $359 million in federal grants since 1993 to state boating agencies across the United States and territories, funding the construction, renovation, operation, and maintenance of over 4,000 pumpout stations and waste reception facilities as of 2025 to curb sewage pollution from recreational boaters.
Established under the Clean Vessel Act of 1992, it disbursed $14.6 million across 25 projects in 18 states and Guam in FY 2024, supporting water quality for fishing, shellfish harvests, and swimming, with 2025 efforts enhancing education via tools like Florida’s Pumpout Nav app and post-Helene recovery projects, leveraging a 75% federal match with over $4.7 million in partner funds annually.
Goals
- Reduce sewage pollution from recreational boats to improve water quality.[1]
- Enhance aquatic ecosystems and recreational opportunities nationwide.
- Educate boaters on proper sewage disposal and facility availability.
Organization
The Clean Vessel Act Program was sponsored by the Office of Conservation Investment within the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, under the Department of the Interior, headquartered at 5275 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church, Virginia.[2] Funding came from the Sport Fish Restoration and Boating Trust Fund, with FY 2024 at $14.6 million, managed by a staff distributing grants to state boating agencies in 50 states, D.C., and territories, requiring a 25% non-federal match, collaborating with marinas, local governments, and partners like Florida DEP.
The leader at the Department of the Interior level was the Director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, currently Martha Williams (as of February 20, 2025), with CVA operations overseen by the Assistant Director for Conservation Investment.
History
The Clean Vessel Act Program was established by the Clean Vessel Act of 1992, signed into law on October 27, 1992, by President George H.W. Bush as Public Law 102-587, Subtitle F, with first grants awarded in 1993.[3] It grew from an initial $40 million over five years to over $359 million by 2025, with milestones like the 2022 BIL reauthorization boosting funding, Florida’s Pumpout Nav app launch in 2022, and 2024’s $14.6 million for 25 projects, adapting to support over 4,000 facilities and 2025’s educational outreach enhancements.
Funding
Initial funding in 1993 was $40 million over five years from the Sport Fish Restoration and Boating Trust Fund via excise taxes on fishing gear and boat fuel.[4] Funding began in 1993 and continues, with FY 2024 at $14.6 million matched by $4.7 million from partners, totaling over $359 million by 2025, with no end date as trust fund revenues sustain efforts like 2025’s $5 million Clean Vessel Act grants within WSFR’s $1.3 billion.
Implementation
The program was implemented through annual competitive grants to state boating agencies, funding pumpout stations, waste facilities, and educational outreach, with over 4,000 facilities built by 2025.[5] It operates continuously with no end date, requiring a 25% state match, with 2025 efforts supporting post-Helene recovery and tools like Pumpout Nav, enhancing boating access and water quality across 18+ states and territories.
Related
- Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Program
- Sport Fish Restoration Program
- National Fish Hatchery System
External links
- https://www.fws.gov/service/clean-vessel-act-cva-program
- https://www.fws.gov/program/office-conservation-investment - Office of Conservation Investment
- https://www.doi.gov/ - Department of the Interior Overview
- wikipedia:Clean Vessel Act of 1992
Social media
References
- ↑ "Clean Vessel Act Program Overview," U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, https://www.fws.gov/service/clean-vessel-act-cva-program, accessed February 19, 2025.
- ↑ "Office of Conservation Investment," U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, https://www.fws.gov/program/office-conservation-investment, accessed February 19, 2025.
- ↑ "Clean Vessel Act," U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, https://www.fws.gov/service/clean-vessel-act-cva-program, accessed February 19, 2025.
- ↑ "CVA Funding," U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, https://www.fws.gov/service/clean-vessel-act-cva-program, accessed February 19, 2025.
- ↑ "CVA Implementation," U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, https://www.fws.gov/service/clean-vessel-act-cva-program, accessed February 19, 2025.