• Congress passed the Clean Vessel Act in 1992 (CVA) to help reduce pollution from vessel sewage discharges. The Act established a five-year federal grant program administired by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service and authorized $40 million from the Sport Fish Restoration Account of the Aquatic Resources trust Fund for use by the States. Federal funds can constitute up to 75% of all approved projects with the remaining funds provided by the States or marinas.

• Raw or poorly treated sewage can spread disease, contaminate shellfish beds and lower oxygen levels in water. Waterborne diseases including hepatitis, typhoid and chloera can be transmitted by shellfish. Organic matter in sewage is decomposed in the water by bacteria. During this process, the bacteria use oxygen. As a result, sewage in the water may deplete the water's oxygen level, causing stress to fish and other aquatic anaimals.
  
  
• Shellfish are filter feeders that eat tiny food particles filtered through their gills into their stomachs, along with bacteria from sewage. Shellfish can convey nearly all waterborne pathogens to humans.
  
  
• Sewage contamination is measured in terms of fecal coliforms - bacteria produced in the intestines of all warm-blooded animals. Test results are expressed as the number of bacteria per 100 milliliters (ml) of water. Shellfish beds are closed when the coliform count reaches 14 per 100 ml of water.
  
  
• In February 1995, The Journal of the American Medical Association reported that, for outbreaks of Norwalk Virus Gastroenteritis in 70 persons in Louisiana, Mississippi, Maryland and North Carolina, who had eaten raw oysters, the source was a remote oyster bed in Louisiana. The Journal concluded that the outbreak was traced to a specific commercial oyster harvester who had disposed of his sewage overboard into the oyster bed. They were able to trace the cause to one individual because all of the Norwalk Virus tested had identical DNA sequences.
  
  
• Areas most likely to be affected are sheltered waters with low flushing rates, waters with significant recreational value, areas set aside for shellfish harvesting, State and Federally designated significant habitats such as those in Coastal Zone programs, as well as waters designated by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPC) as "No Discharge Areas".
  
  
• Currently, vessels use four types of sewage disposal systems. Many boaters use portable toilets which can be drained at dump stations; however, vessels over 26 feet in length typically have Marine Sanitation Devices (MSDs). MSDs are available in three forms, all of which can hold waste for disposal at a pumpout station.

• The Clean Vessel Act provides a portion of its total funding for educational outreach regarding the means by which boaters can avoid improper sewage disposal.
  
  
• The first goal aims to inform boaters of the importance of proper boater sewage disposal. Launched in February 1995, the awareness campaign has reached thousands of boaters through magazines, newspapers and television. The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service released its awareness campaign products, including the pumpout symbol, slogan and brochure, among other products which educate boaters about the Pumpout Program.
  
  
• The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service established partnerships with the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association (NOAA) and marine industry organizations including the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA), Boat/U.S. Clean Water Trust and others to assist with outreach efforts. All eighteen known pumpout manufacturers have taken a voluntary pledge to place the pumpout symbol on each unit produced in the future. Together, these agencies and organizations work with marine interests to distribute materials and educate boaters on the use of pumpout and portal toilet dump stations. Other agencies and marine community groups are encouraged to join this partnership effort.
  
  
• The second goal informs boaters and marina operators of sewage disposal problems, educates them on the use and advantages of pumpout and dump stations, and where to best locate such stations. This program will complement and unify existing State programs, sending one clear message: "Keep Our Water Clean - Use Pumpouts".
  
  
• Major National CVA educational products include a poster for distribution to more than 22,000 marinas, press and training packets, and various public service announcements for radio, television and print media. States are producing their own educational products.
  
  
• Boaters and anglers, by calling 1-800-ASK-FISH, a toll-free number established by the Sportfishing Promotion Council, can find the location of pumpout and dump stations, and can report malfunctioning facilities.

• The Act was created to provide a viable alternative to the overboard disposal of recreational boater sewage. The Act made grants available to the States on a competitive basis for the construction and/or renovation, operation and maintenance of pumpout and portable toilet dump stations.
  
  
• All recreational vessels must have access to pumpouts funded under the Clean Vessel Act. NOAA will mark pumpout and dump station locations on its nautical charts. Since the Act's passage in 1992, grants have been awarded to install 2,200 pumpout stations and 1,400 dump stations. A maximum fee of $5 may be charged for use of pumpout facilities constructed or maintained with grant funds.
  
  
• All Seasons Marina, a private marina in New Jersey, installed a new vacuum type pumpout station on its fuel dock in August of 1996. The CVA funded 75% of the cost and Owner Ralph Dilks reports, "There were as many pumpouts done over the next 30 days as had been done in the previous three years using a portable pumpout located on the inside of the marina. Our marina charges $5 per pumpout, but customers don't ask 'how much'. They just say 'pump it out'. I really think that for my State to do this, it is a great thing. This program really works."
  
  
• After a public comment period, the Federal agencies, in cooperation with private organizations and the marine community, developed a pumpout symbol and national slogan. Both appear on products as well as at marinas supporting the Clean Vessel Act.

   

Keep our water clean - Use Pumpouts!