The Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources issued the following news release:
The Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) has been awarded a $1,000,000 grant under the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Clean Vessel Act Pump-out Grant program.
This grant award will be used to fund the design and construction of pump-out improvements at Port Allen and Ma'alaea Small Boat Harbors located on Kaua'i and Maui, respectively. A portion of the funding will be used to educate boaters on the importance of proper waste disposal and the impacts of improper disposal.
'DLNR's goal is to preserve and protect Hawaii's coastal resources. Raw or poorly treated sewage can spread disease, contaminate shellfish beds, and deplete oxygen levels causing negative impacts to fish and marine habitat,' said Peter Young, DLNR chairperson.
'We thank U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services for recognizing Hawaii's need for additional pump-outs. This funding allows DLNR an opportunity to move forward toward our goal to provide adequate facilities, educate boaters, and reduce the amount of waste being improperly disposed of in the ocean,' Young said.
Congress passed the Clean Vessel Act in 1992, which established a federal grant program administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services (USFWS), to help reduce pollution from vessel sewage discharges.
Funding comes from the Sport Fish Restoration account, made up of revenues from excise taxes on fishing equipment, boats, and motorboat fuels. Grants can fund up to 75% of pump-out improvements with States funding the balance.Contact: Deborah Ward, 808/587-0320.
Deborah Ward, 808/587-0320.
