Clean Vessel Act Grant

The Clean Vessel Act Grant program is a federally funded initiative designed to assist marinas, boatyards, shipyards, and public agencies in improving infrastructure for managing recreational boater waste. Administered in Vermont by the Fish & Wildlife Department, the program supports the construction, renovation, operation, or maintenance of pumpout stations and related facilities. These improvements aim to provide clean, environmentally safe methods for boaters to dispose of sewage, thus helping to protect water quality in public waterways. Funding for this program comes from the Federal Aid in Sport Fish Restoration Act, which is managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The funds are generated through a combination of excise taxes on fishing equipment, import duties on boats, and motorboat fuel taxes. As a result, the Clean Vessel Act supports both conservation goals and infrastructure enhancement for the boating community. Participating marinas may receive up to 75 percent of total project costs in grant funding, with the remaining 25 percent to be covered by the applicant. Eligible applicants include any public or private marina, boatyard, shipyard, or state, county, or municipal entity seeking to install or significantly upgrade a pumpout station that will be accessible to the general boating public. Qualifying projects may include pumpout stations, pumpout boats, dump stations, and infrastructure for transporting sewage to treatment facilities. Reimbursable expenses may include hauling and disposal fees, piping, holding tanks, and engineering or permitting costs. To apply, applicants must first contact the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department to confirm project eligibility and receive guidance on current funding availability and application steps. Initial contact is mandatory before beginning the application process. Submissions are accepted throughout the year, but the firm deadline for annual consideration is August 15, or the following Monday if it falls on a weekend. All applications are reviewed and scored at the state level before submission to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Funding decisions are typically made by January of the following year. Applicants will be informed of their status once federal notifications are received. The application review process includes a competitive evaluation of project scope, relevance, and readiness. Projects not forwarded to the federal level or not selected for funding will receive notification from the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department. Grant-supported facilities must comply with specific usage and pricing guidelines. Marinas are encouraged to offer free pumpouts and are limited to charging no more than $5 per pumpout if they participate in the program. Facilities may alternatively request reimbursement for 75 percent of their disposal costs. These restrictions are designed to maximize accessibility for boaters while incentivizing compliance with environmental regulations that prohibit the discharge of untreated or treated waste into public waters. The installation of pumpout stations provides an added benefit to marinas, enhancing their service offerings and improving the environmental health of the surrounding aquatic ecosystems.

Contact department first to ensure eligibility and correct process.