The Division of Boating and Waterways (DBW) is now accepting grant applications for the disposal of abandoned and unwanted vessels. Up to $2.75 million in funding from the Abandoned Watercraft Abatement Fund (AWAF) may be available to local public agencies statewide for the Surrendered and Abandoned Vessel Exchange grant program (SAVE). Applications will be accepted through April 30, 2019 by 5 p.m. For those interested in applying for these grants, DBW is hosting a workshop to guide new applicants and returning grantees.
“Abandoned and derelict vessels are a pervasive environmental and public safety problem in coastal and inland waterways,” said Ramona Fernandez, Acting Deputy Director of the Division of Boating and Waterways. “Not only are they an eyesore, destroying the beauty of the waterways, but they also pose an environmental hazard by polluting the waterways.”
The division will help applicants through all the steps in the application submission process. It is recommended that representatives from interested agencies attend the four-hour workshop to be held at DBW headquarters:
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Tuesday, March 5, 2019 8 a.m. – noon
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One Capitol Mall, Suite 500 Sacramento, CA 95814
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Pre-registration is required via email to [email protected] by Monday, February 11, 2019.
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Please include the program name (SAVE), name of attendee(s), agency name and phone number in the email.
DBW brings together a body of knowledge as the state’s expert in recreational boating-related matters, including public access, safety and education, marine law enforcement, and consumer and environmental protection. The SAVE Program helps to improve safety on California’s waterways and alleviates the issue of abandoned vessels.
Last fiscal year, DBW provided $2.75 million in AWAF funding to local public agencies in SAVE grants to help alleviate the problem. The majority of this funding helped public agencies in the Bay Area and the Delta remove abandoned vessels.Grants are awarded on a competitive basis to eligible agencies based on demonstrated need.
For additional information on the SAVE Program, please click here.
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