Secretary Salazar Declares Boating Grants to Help Keep Waterways Clean, In excess of $1.3 Million to Midwest States

Department of the Interior Secretary Ken Salazar today announced that nearly $1.3 million in federal funds will be awarded to support 8 inland and coastal plans in 6 Midwestern states under the Clean Vessel Act grant plan in 2009. The grants will be matched by In excess of $440,000 in partner funds and will be used in Missouri, Minnesota, Michigan, Illinois, Indiana and Ohio to fund the construction and installation of sewage pumpout facilities and floating restrooms, to purchase pumpout boats and provide educational programs for recreational boaters.

The Secretary announced In excess of $14 million will be awarded to 28 states across the nation. "Clean Vessel Act funds support construction of facilities in communities that depend on recreational boating for their economy, and depend on clean water for their health," said Salazar. "These grants provide immediate backing for construction of infrastructure that will provide lasting value for recreational boaters, and everyone who relies on clean waters."

A listing of grant awards for states in the Midwest include:

Illinois: $112,500 - The Illinois Department of Natural Resources projects to install up to 5 sewage pumpout stations throughout the state, dependent upon the needs of the state's marina operators.

Indiana: $495,482 - The Indiana Department of Environmental Management projects to install 8 sewage pumpout stations and one floating restroom and to continue efforts to inform boaters about the importance of proper sewage disposal.

Michigan: $100,000 - The Michigan Department of Natural Resources projects to fund the installation of 4 sewage pumpout facilities on coastal waters and continue its education and awareness efforts for proper sewage disposal.

Minnesota: $337,500 - The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources projects to install 5 sewage pumpout stations at marinas throughout the state and to educate boaters about the importance of proper sewage disposal and its importance to the environment. 2 floating restrooms will be placed between the Saint Croix Boomsite Landing and the Sioux Line High Bridge. The floating restrooms will provide an innovative way to serve boaters a high quality recreation experience and reduce impacts to water quality on the lower Saint Croix River.

Missouri: $48,000 - The Missouri Department of Conservation projects to install new or replacement sewage pumpout facilities at 3 or 4 marinas in the state's waters as needed.

Ohio: $248,625 - The Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Division of Watercraft, projects to install sewage pumpout facilities at 5 locations throughout the state.

"Grant programs like these help ensure our waters, one of our most precious resources, are kept clean," said Tom Melius, Midwest Regional Director of the U.S.F.W.S.. "The same plans that will benefit our recreational boaters and anglers will also enhance our drinking water and the aquatic resources that depend on healthy waterways to survive."

Since the program's inception in the early 1990s, the plan - administered by the U.S.F.W.S. - has awarded In excess of $163 million to states to install thousands of sewage pumpout stations. In addition, many states now rely upon mobile sewage pumpout boats to make the sewage collection process more efficient and convenient. A number of states also have begun installing floating restrooms and pumpout stations in high use areas of lakes and coastal waters.

Backing for the CVA plan comes from the Sport Fishing and Boating Trust Fund, formerly known as the Aquatic Resources Trust Fund, which is supported by excise taxes levied on certain fishing and boating equipment and boat fuels.

Federal and non federal shares to support plans in the Midwest are listed below.

Federal Share Non Federal Match Total
Plan
Missouri (Inland) $48,000 $16,000 $64,000
Minnesota (Coastal) $337,500 $112,500 $450,000
Michigan (Coastal) $100,000 $33,333 $133,333
IL (Coastal) $112,500 $37,500 $150,000
IN (Coastal) $397,741 $132,580 $530,321
IN (Inland) $97,741 $32,580 $130,321
Ohio (Coastal) $110,850 $36,950 $147,800
Ohio (Inland) $137,775 $45,925 $183,700
$1,342,107 $447,368 $1,789,475


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