Long Island Marinas Eligible For Grants To Prevent Sewage Discharges

COPIAGUE, NY — Long Island marinas, municipalities and nonprofit organizations can apply for expanded state grants to install or improve equipment that keeps untreated vessel sewage out of local waterways, officials announced.

The funding is available through New York's Clean Vessel Assistance Program, according to state Sen. Monica R. Martinez and Gov. Kathy Hochul.

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Applicants can receive grants of up to $80,000 for pump-out boats and up to $40,000 for stationary pump-out facilities and equipment upgrades. Funding can also be used for facility operations, maintenance and public education.

The program is intended to improve water quality by giving boaters more opportunities to properly dispose of wastewater rather than releasing it into bays, harbors and other recreational waters.

Improperly discharged vessel wastewater adds nitrogen to waterways. Combined with nitrogen pollution from outdated septic systems and stormwater runoff, it can contribute to harmful algal blooms and the deterioration of coastal ecosystems, officials said.

"Boaters have an innate love for the water, and when proper discharge options are available, few would choose to spoil the very places where they recreate," Martinez said. "Expanding investments in this program will make it easier for vessel operators to comply with the environmental safeguards that protect our water from harmful pollution. I thank Governor Hochul for her continued commitment to Long Island and our state's waterways."

Most New York coastal waters and connecting waterways are designated as No Discharge Zones, where releasing vessel sewage is prohibited. State officials said access to stationary pump-out stations and mobile pump-out boats is essential to helping vessel operators comply with those restrictions.

Marina owners, municipalities and eligible nonprofit organizations can apply for the grants on a rolling basis through the New York State Environmental Facilities Corporation.