OLYMPIA, WA — Washington State Parks has announced a $700,000 project to help local boaters dispose of their vessel sewage via new pumpout stations— and one floating restroom off the Key Peninsula.

The money will be distributed through grants from the state's Clean Vessel Act Grant Program. Organizers say it should help protect Puget Sound by helping boaters safely and legally dispose of waste, without dumping it in our beautiful waters. Under state law, Puget Sound and many of the adjoining waters are no-discharge zones for vessel sewage.

"Functional and well-placed public pumpout facilities are critical for boaters to safely and legally dispose of their vessel sewage" said Catherine Buchalski Smith, Clean Vessel Act Grant Program manager. "Boating is hugely popular in our Parks, and we are especially pleased to see our colleagues in State Parks working towards expanding sewage disposal facilities where they are needed most."

According to an update from State Parks, projects funded by the grants include:

Boaters who want to learn more about the upcoming changes or find spots to safely dispose of their sewage can do so by visiting PumpoutWashington.org.