Marine Pump-Out Facilities & Pump-Out Boats RFP (RI) Grant

Funder: State of Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management - Environmental Protection Bureau

The Marine Pump-Out Facilities & Pump-Out Boats RFP in Rhode Island invites proposals from qualified marinas and municipalities to enhance marine waste management. Grants will support the construction and maintenance of pump-out facilities and boats, ensuring compliance with federal regulations. A 25% matching fund is required from grantees. This initiative aims to protect coastal waters and support public health by preventing pollution, particularly in shellfish harvesting areas. Successful collaboration between the Rhode Island Marine Trade Association and the Department of Environmental Management will streamline grant processes.

NOTE: Applications will be accepted for the 2026 season from February 6th, 2026 to November 1st, 2026 (*priority given to applications received before March 6th 2026).
This Request for Proposals (RFP) is a request for grant applications by qualified public and private marinas, yacht clubs and municipalities to construct, replace, retrofit, and maintain marine pump‐out facilities and to purchase, operate and maintain pump‐out boats. Through a competitive process, the Department of Environmental Management (DEM) will award grants to promote the development, installation, and maintenance of pump-out facilities in Rhode Island marine waters in conformance with the mandatory Federal No Discharge designation.
All grant awards are subject to a 25% grantee (partner) dollar match requirement. In order to receive grant funding, the operator of said facility agrees not to charge the boater more than $5 per 30 gallons pumped. DEM will offer grant awards for eligible project costs of new and replacement land‐based facilities and for eligible project costs of new and replacement mobile pump-out boats. Operators of mobile pump-out vessels can also apply for grant awards for eligible Operation and Maintenance (O&M) costs. O&M costs eligible for reimbursement include hull painting, engine maintenance, pump periodic maintenance, insurance of pump-out vessel, fuel and oil, trailer maintenance, winterization, storage, launching and hauling, boat safety equipment, and personal protective equipment.
For this CVA Grant program, Rhode Island Marine Trade Association (RIMTA) and DEM have partnered together to streamline grants for routine operation and maintenance costs such as periodic maintenance, winterization, spring commissioning, and replacement parts.
In August 1998, Rhode Island became the first state in the country to receive the US Environmental Protection Agency’s No Discharge designation for all of its marine waters. To maintain the No Discharge designation for the state’s marine waters, the DEM must assure that the pump‐out facility infrastructure is in sound operating condition. Through the ongoing grant program, DEM continues to work with the marina industry to accomplish this objective. This public‐private partnership has successfully reduced a significant source of pathogen contamination to the state’s coastal waters, including waters in close proximity to shellfish harvesting and swimming areas.

Eligibility

Owners of any Rhode Island marina may apply for grants for projects located at the owner’s marina. Public entities such as cities or towns, harbor masters or other public agencies are also eligible to apply. A non‐owner operator may apply for such a grant, but only if the owner counter signs the application and the grant award.Grant Requirements:Facilities must be equally available to all recreational boaters, including those with physical handicaps, on a nondiscriminatory first come, first serve basis.