Funds under this grant award will be used to construct and maintain pumpout stations and recreational vessel sewage reception facilities to safely dispose of recreational boater sewage in the inland…

The U.S. Department of the Interior Fish and Wildlife Service (DOI FWS) awarded $1,020,588 to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection on October 1, 2025, under the Clean Vessel Act (CVA) program (CFDA 15.616) to construct and maintain pumpout stations and recreational vessel sewage reception facilities throughout Florida's inland waters. The award, with a completion date of September 30, 2027, will support nine pumpout projects developed in partnership with local marinas, boating facilities, and marine industry stakeholders across Florida's inland areas. This funding addresses the critical need for safe disposal infrastructure for recreational boater sewage while protecting water quality and public health.

Beyond infrastructure development, the grant includes an education and outreach campaign designed to inform recreational boaters of pumpout facility locations and the importance of utilizing these services. The CVA program is funded through excise taxes on motorboat fuel and fishing equipment revenues deposited into the Sport Fish Restoration Trust Fund, and all facilities constructed or maintained with these funds must remain accessible to the public throughout their useful life. Cost-sharing requirements apply to this award, consistent with standard CVA program parameters.

Funds under this grant award will be used to construct and maintain pumpout stations and recreational vessel sewage reception facilities to safely dispose of recreational boater sewage in the inland waters of florida. Nine pumpout projects will be initiated and completed in partnership with marina and boating facilities local boating communities and marine industries in the inland areas of the state. Work also includes an education outreach campaign to inform recreational boaters of the locations and importance of using pumpouts.