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50 Years: The Department of Boating and Waterways, 1957 to 2007
of clean boating groups throughout California. And in 2004, the
California Clean Marina Toolkit, a 125-page educational tool for
identifying ways in which marinas can help protect the environment,
was sent to every marina in California.
The campaign also trains some 500 volunteer “Dockwalkers,” including
members of the Coast Guard Auxiliary, who conduct face-to-face
boater education and distribute boater kits of promotional items and
educational materials. In addition, program staffers work to influence
the purchasing habits of boaters through the “Shopping Clean and
Green” project and constantly promote the environmental message
at marine supply stores, boat shows and events. The Clean and Green
Boating Campaign, the oldest program of its kind in the country, has
become a model for many other states and local governments. The
campaign helps boaters and marine businesses across the state become
more aware of how they can impact the environment.
The Clean Vessel Act
In 1992, Congress passed the Clean Vessel Act to help reduce pollution
from vessel sewage discharges into U.S. waters. The Clean Vessel Act
(CVA) Grant Program established by this legislation funds the con
struction and maintenance of pumpouts, dump stations and floating
restrooms to service pleasure craft. The program also includes an edu
cation component to promote public awareness about proper disposal of
boat sewage. California has received over $15.7 million dollars in federal
funding to help provide pumpout equipment to boaters throughout the
state. To date, Cal Boating has approved grants for over 150 pumpouts, 26
dump stations and more than 200 floating restrooms statewide.
In 1999, States Organization for Boating Access (SOBA) honored
California with the Clean Vessel Act Program Excellence Award. And
in 2002, Cal Boating was instrumental in acquiring federal funding for
SOBA to conduct performance testing of the CVA program’s pumping
equipment. This was the first side-by-side, independent testing of the
equipment, and test results helped encourage product improvements for
maintenance and longevity.
Dockwalkers receive “Clean and
Green” training before they volunteer.
Cal Boating provides grants for
vessel sewage pumpout facilities like
the one pictured above.