Washington State Parks Clean Vessel Act Grant Program Funds $900,000 In New Pumpout Projects

Press release from Washington State Parks:

June 8, 2021

Recreational boat pumpout facilities expand across the state

OLYMPIA – June 8, 2021 – Keeping Washington’s waterways clean will get easier thanks to more than $900,000 in federal pass-through grants for recreational boat pumpout projects statewide.

Awarded by the Washington State Parks Clean Vessel Act Grant Program (CVA), the grants focus on sewage disposal systems serving recreational boaters and educational programs that inform boaters about the importance of proper sewage disposal.

“We are excited to support the expansion and upgrade of pumpout facilities for recreational boaters,” said Catherine Buchalski Smith, CVA Grant Program manager. “A functional network of public pumpout facilities is key to helping boaters safely and legally dispose of their on-board sewage.”

A new pumpout cart at the Cap Sante Marina was partially funded by the Washington State Parks Clean Vessel Act Grant Program in 2020. Photo Courtesy of the Port of Anacortes, 2021.

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

Grant recipients provide a 25% match and are contributing more than $500,000.

Grant projects awarded:

• City of Seattle, Leschi Marina — $237,300 to install stationary dockside pumpout.
• Deer Harbor Marina, Orcas Island — $13,955 to replace stationary dockside pumpout.
• Ice Harbor Marina, Burbank — $23,250 to replace existing pumpout boat motors.
• Narrows Marina, Tacoma – $10,000 for five years of annual pumpout operation and maintenance expenses.
• Pierce County – $89,425 for two years annual pumpout boat operation and maintenance expenses.
• Port of Bellingham, Squalicum Harbor – $18, 380 to replace two dockside pumpout carts.
• Port of Friday Harbor – $108,650 to install new pumpout eco-barge and plumbing upgrades.
• Port of Lopez – $109,440 for two years of annual pumpout boat operation and maintenance expenses and partial funding for pumpout boat upgrades.
• Port of Poulsbo – $145,000 to install new floating restroom.
• Roche Harbor Marina – $48,750 to purchase new pumpout boat.
• Shelton Yacht Club – $104,235 to upgrade pumpout system plumbing and holding tank.

In addition to funding pumpout projects, the CVA Grant Program funds the annual operation and maintenance of more than 100 pumpout and dump station facilities across the state. Last year, more than $480,000 of grant funds went towards operating expenses.

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.

Learn more about the CVA Grant Program.

This press release was produced by Washington State Parks. The views expressed are the author's own.