The BoatU.S. Foundation has awarded its first Leadership in Clean Boating Outreach Award - which includes a cash prize of $500 - to the Lake Pend Oreille Idaho Club of Sandpoint, ID, for its outstanding Clean Water Grant project, a Boater's Guide to Lake Pend Oreille.  The Club bested 18 other local nonprofit groups who were given up to $4,000 each for Clean Water Grant projects to educate boaters on issues such as petroleum pollution prevention, pumpout education or littering prevention.

The Clean Boating Outreach Award is based on the following criteria: new and innovative ways to educate boaters about clean water; demonstrated resourcefulness and efficient use of grant funds; a high level of quality and professionalism of work; use of positive "do" messages rather than relying on "don't" messages; and flexibility and effectiveness in carrying out the project in a prompt manner.

The Lake Pend Oreille Idaho Club won for its work with a 2004 Foundation grant to design and publish a full-color Boater's Guide to Lake Pend Oreille and then distribute it free of charge at local sporting outlets and marinas.  The guide included a map of the lake as well as tips for cleaner boating such as engine maintenance and clean fueling tips and information on aquatic nuisance species prevention.

The deadline to apply for the next round of Clean Water Grants is February 1, 2006.  To view previous grant projects, download a grant application or learn more, visit www.BoatUS.com/Cleanwater/grants. The BoatU.S. 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 630,000 members of BoatU.S.