ALEXANDRIA, Va., November 17, 2008 -- Would you like to help make your home waters a little cleaner?  The BoatUS 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 BoatUS 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 BoatUS 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.

To view previous grant projects or learn more about invasive speciesthe grant program, please visit http://www.BoatUS.com/foundation/cleanwater/grants  Applications may be submitted electronically or mailed. 

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About the BoatUS Foundation:

Founded in 1981, the BoatUS 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 BoatUS.  It excels in providing safe, smart and clean boating resources for boat owners nationwide.