BoatUS Foundation opens Grant Program for $7.5M effort to remove ADVs from nation's waterways

by BoatUS Foundation 26 Jul 2024 16:54 BST

In a nationwide effort to remove abandoned and neglected boats to help clean our nation's waterways and make them safer for years to come, the Boat Owners Association of the United States (BoatUS) Foundation is seeking qualified, diverse and experienced organizations to submit project proposals for funding through Aug. 12.

BoatUS has secured a $10 million grant from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Marine Debris Program, with funding provided by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, to fuel this major abandoned and derelict vessels (ADVs) cleanup effort in U.S. coastal waterways and the Great Lakes.

Applicants are encouraged to submit a letter of intent online to the BoatUS Foundation no later than August 12.

"This grant enables the BoatUS Foundation to use our expertise and build upon years of experience with ADV removals," said BoatUS Foundation Director of Outreach and Grant Programs, Alanna Keating. "This is a unique program that is open to any organization, nonprofit or for-profit, as well as local, state, territorial, tribal, and regional government agencies that could provide them a way to start clearing ADVs clogging up their local waterways."

ADVs litter ports, waterways, and estuaries all over the country and can cause major problems. These boats can crush or smother sensitive plants and corals, leach fuel and other pollutants into the water, threaten safe navigation, and contribute to economic losses. Removing ADVs is a costly effort, often averaging more than $24,000 to remove a single boat. For many communities, there may be no local funding for removal of vessels, and navigating funding programs can be challenging for communities with limited time or resources.

What information is needed to apply?

Organizations are invited to apply for ADV removal funds by submitting a letter of intent that Includes the following information:

• Body of water from which the debris will be removed
• The purpose of the project and the planned steps to complete it
• Anticipated outcomes of the project on the environment and the community
• How diversity, equity, justice and inclusion will be part of the project
• Project budget and expenses to be covered by the grant funding
• Authorizations and/or permits needed to complete the work

Priority will be given to projects that include input from and benefit tribal, underserved, or low-income communities; demonstrate strong community support; benefit marine animals and their habitats, local coastal communities, and/or local economies; and include local outreach and education activities directed toward the boating community and general public to prevent abandoned and derelict vessels.

More information on how to apply and grant guidelines can be found at boatus.org/advgrant.

The goal of this BoatUS Foundation program is to improve U.S. coastal and Great Lakes waters affected by ADVs and create a first-of-its-kind national online database to track ADV location and removal efforts. By removing the associated pollution, navigation and safety hazards ADVs can cause in waters for years, the 20-75 awardees of this grant program will have a lasting, positive impact on the environment and our waters locally and nationally for years to come.