Division of Boating and Waterways Clean Vessel Act Education and Outreach Grant FY 2025

The Clean Vessel Act Education and Outreach Grant Program is administered by the California State Parks Division of Boating and Waterways, which serves as the state coordinator for federal funding provided through the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Sport Fish Restoration and Boating Trust Fund. This program originates from the Clean Vessel Act of 1992, which was enacted to reduce water pollution caused by improper disposal of vessel sewage. California, with its extensive coastline, inland waterways, and large recreational boating population, faces significant water quality challenges, making this program a critical component of statewide environmental protection and public health efforts. The primary purpose of the grant program is to support education, outreach, and monitoring initiatives that promote proper vessel sewage disposal practices among recreational boaters. Funded projects are expected to increase awareness of environmental impacts associated with improper sewage discharge, encourage the use of pumpout and dump station facilities, and support improvements to infrastructure monitoring systems such as the Pumpout Nav App. The program also seeks to educate marina operators about available funding opportunities for installing and maintaining sewage disposal equipment, thereby strengthening long-term environmental compliance across boating facilities. Funding is available to support comprehensive projects that combine education and outreach activities with pumpout and dump station monitoring. Allowable uses include development of educational materials, outreach campaigns, monitoring equipment, data collection, minor maintenance, and coordination with application developers. However, funds cannot be used for advocacy work, food, prizes, or resale items. This is a reimbursement-based grant, covering up to 75 percent of eligible project costs, with a required minimum 25 percent match provided by the grantee through cash or in-kind contributions such as volunteer labor or donated resources. Eligible applicants include nonprofit organizations, local government entities, and private for-profit organizations, provided they demonstrate at least five years of verifiable experience in developing and implementing education and outreach programs. Applicants must submit a detailed narrative proposal, budget forms, organizational qualifications, partnership descriptions, and a project timeline. Additional required components include a risk assessment, proof of nonprofit status if applicable, and a governing body resolution authorizing participation and commitment to matching funds. Applications must be submitted either by mail or email in PDF format to designated program contacts. The deadline for the 2026 application cycle is August 17, 2026 at 10:00 AM PDT. Submissions must include all required documentation and adhere to formatting and content guidelines specified in the application instructions. Applications are evaluated based on criteria such as quality of outreach strategy, effectiveness of monitoring plans, organizational capacity, partnerships, and budget justification. Successful applicants are expected to demonstrate innovative approaches and measurable outcomes aligned with program objectives. The anticipated grant term begins January 1, 2027 and may extend through December 31, 2027 or February 28, 2028 depending on performance. Awards are expected to be announced in September 2026. The program is recurring and typically offered annually, supporting two regional projects across California’s coastal and delta regions. For additional information or application materials, applicants may contact program representatives Ethan Tratner or Vivian Matuk via email or phone.

Demonstrate measurable outreach impact; align monitoring with stated objectives; provide strong partnerships; ensure complete documentation