This grant will provide grants to public and private marinas and municipalities to continue the efficient operation of existing facilities and for expansion

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Region 5 awarded the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management a $576,799 Project Grant on July 22, 2025, under the Clean Vessel Act (CVA) program (CFDA 15.616) to support sewage pumpout infrastructure and related operations through June 30, 2028. The grant provides funding to public and private marinas and municipalities for continued efficient operation of existing facilities, facility expansion, and maintenance activities. Additionally, the award supports the acquisition of self-service solar pumpout barges, administrative support for CVA program activities, and sponsorship of the 2025 Annual Small Operations Business Association (SOBA) Conference in Providence scheduled for August 2025.

The award includes sub-recipient grants to two Rhode Island municipalities: the Town of Westerly received funds for the purchase of a replacement pumpout vessel and maintenance of two pumpout vessels operating on the Pawcatuck River (awarded May 8, 2026), and the Town of New Shoreham received funding for the replacement of three pumpout vessel pumps and one stationary pump at its Block Island Great Salt Pond facility (awarded April 27, 2026). Through these allocations, the grant delivers critical marine sanitation infrastructure and equipment to support proper disposal of recreational boater waste and protect Rhode Island's aquatic ecosystems.

This program will also make funds available for maintenance and also to acquire self service solar pump out barges and provide administrative support to the CVA program and support the 2025 annual soba conference being held in providence in august 2025.