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Board weighs options as Clean Vessel Act funding remains uncertain
Summary
OSMB staff reported uncertainty in federal Clean Vessel Act allocations and asked whether limited state funds should be used to repair or replace failing floating restrooms that keep sewage out of waterways.
Staff informed the board that federal competitive funding for clean‑vessel and pump‑out station work remains uncertain for the next biennium, and asked whether the board would support using state resources to address immediate needs.
Janine Collak said US Fish and Wildlife Service delayed awards for some competitive infrastructure grants and that the board faces a choice about whether to fund urgent repairs for nonfunctional floating restrooms and pump‑out equipment. "These floating restrooms collect hundreds of thousands of gallons over a season and some are not functioning correctly," she said, noting a per‑unit repair cost on the order of tens of thousands of dollars.
Some board members argued for prioritizing public facilities that process the largest volumes of waste. Others suggested bulk procurement or contracting models to reduce per‑unit costs if the board chooses to fund multiple repairs. Staff proposed using a mix of federal partners and state construction funds (where available) and asked for guidance; the board broadly supported prioritizing high‑use public facilities and bulk purchasing options to stretch limited funds.
