BOATU.S. Foundation Clean Water Grants Help Your Community

For Immediate Release

Over $300,000 Awarded Since 1997

ALEXANDRIA, Va., November 17, 2008 -- Would you like to help make your home waters a little cleaner? The BoatU.S. Foundation for Boating Safety and Clean Water is offering grant funds up to $4,000 each for community non-profit groups to develop projects that address environmental problems on local waterways. Since 1997 the annual BoatU.S. Foundation Clean Water Grant program has awarded over $300,000 to improve the marine environment, funding 149 projects in 35 states. This year's deadline to apply is February 2, 2009.

"Groups have flexibility in deciding what needs to be addressed, whether it's a pollution issue, preventing the spread of invasive species, or other environmental concern," said BoatU.S. Foundation Director of Environmental Programs Susan Shingledecker.

In the past, groups have received funding to create brochures that help educate boaters about the availability of pumpout stations, built and installed information kiosks on waterway ecology, added monofilament recycling bins for anglers, erected signage on clean water practices, and hosted a river clean up contests.

"The bottom line is that we will consider any project that strives to educate boaters about protecting the marine environment," added Shingledecker.

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About the BoatU.S. Foundation: Founded in 1981, the BoatU.S. Foundation for Boating Safety and Clean Water is a national 501(c)(3) nonprofit education and research organization primarily funded by the voluntary contributions of the 650,000 members of BoatU.S. It excels in providing safe, smart and clean boating resources for boat owners nationwide.