DNR Receives Funding For Pumpouts Damaged By IsabelU.S. Fish and Wildlife Service awards $236,000
ANNAPOLIS, MD — The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) has awarded the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) $236,000 in emergency Clean Vessel Act (CVA) funding to help Maryland’s marinas replace marine-sewage pumpout facilities that were damaged by Tropical Storm Isabel but not covered by insurance or other disaster relief. This funding is available immediately for grants to public and private marinas.
To date, 86 marinas have reported that their pumpouts were damaged by the storm. DNR is encouraging marinas to test their pumpout units as soon as possible and to ensure that the units are fully operational for the 2004 boating season. The FWS has agreed to provide an additional $236,000 to DNR if funding beyond the initial emergency request is needed to replace storm-damaged units.
Over the past several years, approximately 300 of Maryland’s 600 marinas have received 100-percent grants for the purchase and installation of pumpout facilities. Supplemental grants are also available to help marinas offset pumpout-related operational expenses. Grant funding comes from a combination of federal CVA funds (75 percent) and state Waterway Improvement Fund funds (25 percent). Proper handling of boat sewage is extremely important to water quality, as improper handling can result in harmful contaminants being directly deposited into water bodies. Thanks to the efforts of boaters and marinas, Maryland’s pumpout facilities properly dispose of well over 1 million gallons of raw boat sewage each year.
Maryland law requires marinas with 50 slips or more to have an operable pumpout facility. For more information about pumpout grant-funding opportunities or to report an inoperable pumpout, contact Don O’Neill at 410-260-8772 or doneill@dnr.state.md.us. Boaters can also call this number 24 hours a day to receive the latest version of “A Maryland Boater’s Guide to Sewage Pumpout Stations and Clean Boating Tips.” Simply leave instructions on the voice mail stating how many booklets are needed and where to send them. There is no fee.
Posted January 12, 2004