State Parks Clean Vessel Act Grant Program funds $700,000 in new pumpout and floating restroom projects

Recreational boat pumpout facilities expand across the state

 ||| FROM WASHINGTON STATE PARKS |||

OLYMPIA – April 5, 2022 – Recreational boaters in Washington waters will have an easier time disposing of vessel sewage thanks to more than $700,000 in new federal pass-through grants for recreational boat pumpout and floating restroom projects.

Awarded by the Washington State Parks Clean Vessel Act Grant Program (CVA), the grants focus on sewage disposal systems for recreational vessels and outreach programs that inform boaters about the location of pumpout and dump stations.

“Functional and well-placed public pumpout facilities are critical for boaters to safely and legally dispose of their vessel sewage” said Catherine Buchalski Smith, CVA Grant Program manager. “Boating is hugely popular in our Parks, and we are especially pleased to see our colleagues in State Parks working towards expanding sewage disposal facilities where they are needed most.”

The new projects will help recreational boaters comply with the Puget Sound No Discharge Zone Law, which has been in effect since May 10, 2018.

Projects funded in the 2022 grant competition include: 

• Washington State Parks – $300,000 to install a floating restroom at Cutts Island State Park.
• Port of Port Townsend – $123,905 for three years of annual operation and maintenance funding for a pumpout vessel.
• Port of Port Townsend – $116,635 to purchase four dockside pumpouts, two pumpout carts and one vessel mounted pumpout skid.
• Tyee Marina – $32,480 to replace two stationary dockside pumpouts and effluent transfer pumps.
• Port of Bremerton – Port Orchard Marina – $14,760 to replace stationary dockside pumpout.
• Port of Poulsbo – $11,845 to replace stationary dockside pumpout.
• Port of Kingston – $50,000 for five years of annual operation and maintenance funding of pumpout facilities.
• West Sound Marina – $40,000 for five years of annual operation and maintenance funding of pumpout facilities.
• City of Chelan – $18,000 for five years of annual operation and maintenance funding of pumpout facilities.

Grant recipients must provide a 25% match and are contributing more than $250,000 in state and local funding.

In addition to funding new or replacement pumpout projects, the CVA Grant Program also funds the annual operation and maintenance of more than 100 pumpout and dump station facilities across the state. Last year, over $400,000 of grant funds went towards annual operating and maintenance expenses of these facilities.

To locate pumpout and dump stations across the state, boaters can visit PumpoutWashington.org, or download the free Pumpout Nav app on the Apple Store or Google Play.

To learn more about the CVA Grant Program, visit https://parks.state.wa.us/758/Clean-Vessel-Act-Grant-Program.

About the Washington State Clean Vessel Act Grant Program

The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission administers the state’s Clean Vessel Act (CVA) Grant Program, which provides funding for the construction, renovation, operation and maintenance of sewage disposal systems serving recreational boaters and educational programs that inform boaters about the importance of proper sewage disposal. Federal grant funding is awarded to the Washington CVA Grant Program by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service  through a nationally competitive process for all 50 states and U.S. territories. The Washington State Parks Clean Vessel Act Grant Program also provides funding for Pumpout Washington, a public outreach program managed by Washington Sea Grant. For more information about the CVA program, contact Catherine Buchalski Smith, (360) 902-8659 or Catherine.BuchalskiSmith@parks.wa.gov.

About Washington State Parks

The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission manages more than 100 state parks and properties totaling approximately 120,000 acres. The Commission provides a variety of recreation opportunities for citizens and provides stewardship protection for a diverse array of natural, cultural and historic resources. State Parks’ statewide programs include long-distance trails, boating safety and winter recreation.