Outdoor News Daily

Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar today announced more than $7.5 million in competitive grants to 10 states for 11 projects to support recreational boating through the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Boating Infrastructure Grant program.

“Recreational boaters and anglers contribute to our nation’s thriving outdoor recreation economy and play an important role in conservation of our rivers, watersheds and oceans,” Secretary Salazar said. “These competitive grants will help provide quality opportunities and access to America’s great outdoors for our nation’s boaters and anglers, while creating jobs by funding major construction projects to build docks, boat slips and facilities.”

Outdoor recreation, including boating and fishing, contribute an estimated $730 billion to the U.S. economy each year, Salazar noted.
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The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Boating Services will host three Clean Marina workshops for marina and boatyard operators in January 2012. DNR encourages all marine facilities, including certified Clean Marinas, to attend this free event.

“Participants will learn how to; comply with regulation changes and the new General Discharge Permit, become a certified Clean Marina and successfully apply for pumpout grants,” said Donna Morrow, program chief of boating services. “Vendors of industrial wash water treatment systems will also be on-hand to share product information.”

DNR will provide complimentary copies of the Maryland Clean Marina Guidebook, Award Checklists, pumpout grant applications and educational materials for boaters at the workshops. The Guidebook outlines best management practices in areas such as vessel maintenance, fuel handling, sewage handling and stormwater management.
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Honokohau Small Boat Harbor will soon be getting a much needed facelift following the release of funds by Governor Neil Abercrombie to get the capital improvement project underway. Earlier this week, the Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) began work on the project.

“The Governor listened to residents of Kona who expressed the need for the harbor improvements and he is responding by initiating work now,” said DLNR Chairperson William Aila. “The Governor’s budget this year has an additional $500,000 to expand the Honokohau Harbor Phase II improvements, including more paved parking areas and relocating and improving the boat wash down area.”
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The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Boating Services will host three Clean Marina workshops for marina and boatyard operators in January 2012. DNR encourages all marine facilities, including certified Clean Marinas, to attend this free event.

“Participants will learn how to; comply with regulation changes and the new General Discharge Permit, become a certified Clean Marina and successfully apply for pumpout grants,” said Donna Morrow, program chief of boating services. “Vendors of industrial wash water treatment systems will also be on-hand to share product information.”

DNR will provide complimentary copies of the Maryland Clean Marina Guidebook, Award Checklists, pumpout grant applications and educational materials for boaters at the workshops. The Guidebook outlines best management practices in areas such as vessel maintenance, fuel handling, sewage handling and stormwater management.
Read the rest of this entry »