Maryland Receives Federal Funds For Sewage Pumpouts

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Annapolis – The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has awarded the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) $641,000 in FY05 federal Clean Vessel Act (CVA) funds to support the state’s marine sewage pumpout initiative. Utilizing both CVA funds (75%) and state Waterway Improvement Fund funds (25%), DNR provides 100% grants to marinas for the purchase, installation, and maintenance of marine sewage pumpout facilities.

Pumpouts are used to empty recreational vessel holding tanks and portable toilets. State and CVA funds have been used to install pumpouts at over 350 of Maryland’s 600+ marinas. Each year, these pumpouts empty approximately two million gallons of raw sewage from boats thus helping in the effort to clean up Maryland’s waters. This year’s CVA grant will be used to fund 29 pumpout installation projects, to provide operations and maintenance funding for 175 marinas, and to conduct education and outreach.

Maryland established the first pumpout program in the nation, which served as the model for other states’ CVA programs. Maryland’s CVA program is also the recipient of the States Organization for Boating Access Program Excellence Award.

For further information about pumpout grants for marinas and the proper disposal of marine sewage, contact Don O’Neill at DNR at (410) 260-8772 or visit www.dnr.state.md.us/boating/pumpout.

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December 12, 2005

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is the state agency responsible for providing natural and living resource-related services to citizens and visitors. DNR manages more than 446,000 acres of public lands and 18,000 miles of waterways, along with Maryland's forests, fisheries and wildlife for maximum environmental, economic and quality of life benefits. A national leader in land conservation, DNR-managed parks and natural, historic and cultural resources attract 11 million visitors annually. DNR is the lead agency in Maryland's effort to restore the Chesapeake Bay, the state's number one environmental priority. Learn more at www.dnr.maryland.gov