DBW is Accepting Grant Applications Until Aug. 10 to Help Keep California’s Waterways Clean.

California State Parks’ Division of Boating and Waterways (DBW) is currently accepting grant applications for the Clean Vessel Act (CVA) Education and Outreach Grant Program. A maximum of $276,937 is available in federal funding per targeted region to organizations for educating coastal and San Francisco Bay-Delta Estuary recreational boaters about proper vessel sewage disposal and the use of pump-out facilities, and monitoring pump-out and dump stations. Congress passed the CVA in 1992 to help reduce pollution from vessel sewage discharges into U.S. waters. The grant program operates as an important educational prospect for all boaters on how to help keep California’s waterways clean. Releasing sewage overboard creates environmental and human health concerns. To reduce the negative impacts of this harmful action, all recreational boaters are urged to use sewage management facilities, including pump-out stations, dump stations, and mobile pump-out services. The grant program targets two geographic regions of California: San Francisco Bay-Delta Estuary Counties of: Alameda Napa San Mateo Sonoma Contra Costa Sacramento Santa Clara Marin San Francisco Santa Cruz Monterey San Joaquin Solano Southern California Coast Counties of: Los Angeles San Diego Santa Barbara Orange San Luis Obispo Ventura   Proposals that cover a portion of the above regions will be considered if, over time, the agency can expand the program(s) to the entire area. As part of DBW’s dedication to furnishing clean, safe, and enjoyable recreational...