Project abstract summary - NH 2025 CVA (coastal)the funds outlined in this proposal are necessary to operate a mobile pumpout boat service, provide operation and maintenance reimbursement to…

The New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services received a $182,235 Project Grant from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service under the Clean Vessel Act (CVA) program (CFDA 15.616), awarded July 1, 2025, with a completion date of June 30, 2027. This award supports marine sanitation infrastructure and boater education services across New Hampshire's coastal waters, including tidal waters, estuaries, and ocean areas extending three nautical miles offshore. Primary deliverables include operation and maintenance funding for two stationary pumpout facilities and one mobile pumpout boat during the 2025 boating season, focused on popular boating areas including the Piscataqua River, Great Bay, and associated marinas and mooring fields.

Additionally, the grant funds one full-time staff position to manage pumpout facility sub-grants, prepare federal reports, and oversee public outreach activities. The award also supports development and distribution of Clean Vessel Act signage, educational publications, and outreach materials designed to increase recreational boater awareness of proper wastewater disposal requirements and available pumpout options. The program aims to prevent shellfish harvesting closures, beach health advisories, and coastal water quality degradation resulting from improper boat sewage discharge while improving boater accessibility to proper waste disposal infrastructure throughout New Hampshire's coastal regions.

Project abstract summary - NH 2025 CVA (coastal)the funds outlined in this proposal are necessary to operate a mobile pumpout boat service, provide operation and maintenance reimbursement to stationary facilities, and increase public awareness of the coastal regulations regarding boat sewage discharge through an outreach program. Without this funding, pollution from boat discharge may cause shellfish harvesting closures, restricted or reduced fishing opportunities, beach risk advisories, anoxic zones, and water quality marine ecosystem degradation. New hampshire department of environmental services (nhdes) proposes to:provide operation and maintenance funding for two stationary pumpout facilities for the 2025 boating season.provide operation and maintenance funding to support one mobile pumpout boat for the 2025 boating season.fund a portion of salary and benefits for one staff person to maintain current resource materials, oversee sub-grants for pumpout services, prepare the necessary federal reports, and enhance public educational outreach efforts.provide funds for CVA signs, publications, and other outreach materials as needed.nhdes expects that by providing this program as proposed above IT will:keep stationary pumpout facilities in good working conditionincrease recreational boater accessibility to pumpouts through the mobile service enhance public awareness of wastewater pollution issues and disposal optionshelp to prevent beach health risk advisories and shellfish harvesting closures due to improper boat waste dischargehelp to protect the overall quality of coastal waters and ecosystems. This project scope is limited to the coastal waters of new hampshire, which include tidal waters, estuaries, and open ocean out to three nautical miles from shore. Most project activities are focused on popular areas for boating activity, especially boating clubs, marinas, and mooring fields. The mobile pumpout vessel travels most frequently in the piscataqua river and great BAY area, as well as hampton harbor, where IT pumps sewage from boats primarily at dock slips and moorings. There are three public stationary pumpout facilities located on new hampshire coastal waters. The NH CVA program offers operation and maintenance grants to all the stationary pumpout facilities in addition to repair funds as needed. Applications for grants are accepted year-round and approved on a first-come, first-served basis given the applicant is eligible to receive CVA grant funding. For the 2025 boating season, two of the three NH facilities are anticipated to apply for and receive operations and maintenance funds through the coastal CVA program.