Our Organization
Clean Vessel Act, Grant Manager
Kevin Atkinson, P.E.
Kevin manages the Clean Vessel Act grant program for the California Department of Boating and Waterways. Clean Vessel Act grant funds are available for the construction, renovation, operation, and maintenance of sewage pumpout stations and waste reception facilities for recreational boaters of California. The Clean Vessel Act grant funds are available to the public and private sector. This includes all local governmental entities and private businesses that own and operate boating facilities that are open to the general public.
For more information, contact Kevin
Atkinson at the California Department of Boating and Waterways.
katkinson@dbw.ca.gov
Honey Pot Day is an event hosted by the Santa Monica Bay Restoration Foundation and the San Francisco Estuary Partnership. It is funded by the California Department of Boating and Waterways Clean Vessel Education Program.
Clean Vessel Education Program
The Clean Vessel Education Program is funded by the California Department of Boating and Waterways and is a partnership of the California Department of Boating and Waterways, Santa Monica Bay Restoration Foundation, and the San Francisco Estuary Partnership. The Program promotes the installation of pumpout facilities and educational programs that inform recreational boaters of the importance of proper waste disposal. To learn more about our programs,
Santa Monica Bay Restoration Foundation Boater Education Program
The Santa Monica Bay Restoration Foundation (SMBRF) is an independent, non-profit 501(c)(3) organization that supports the goals and mission of the Santa Monica Bay Restoration Commission. The Boater Education Program is one of the many programs within the SMBRF. The Honey Pot Day Program is an educational program hosted by SMBRF.
San Francisco Estuary Partnership Boater Education Program
The San Francisco Estuary Partnership (SFEP) is one of the 28 National Estuary Programs and is a federal-state-local partnership working to restore water quality and manage the natural resources of the San Francisco Bay-Delta Estuary while maintaining the regions economic vitality. The SFEP's Boater Education Program is charged with conducting communication and outreach to boaters in an effort to reduce sewage discharge from recreational boaters in the Bay-Delta Estuary.
National Estuary Program
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the State of California established the Santa Monica Bay Restoration Commission (SMBRC) as part of the National Estuary Program in December 1988 in recognition of the need to restore and protect the Santa Monica Bay's natural resources. The mission of the SMBRC is to restore and enhance the Santa Monica Bay through actions and partnerships that improve water quality, conserve and rehabilitate natural resources, and protect the Bay’s benefits and values.
Our Team
SMBRF Program Manager
Grace Lee
Grace earned her B.S. in Applied Ecology at the University of California, Irvine, and completed a M.A. in Environmental Studies with emphasis in Environmental Planning and Analysis from the University of Southern California. Grace's undergraduate research focused on the effects of reforestation on avian populations in Costa Rica. In San Diego, Grace studied cetacean behavioral patterns.
glee.santamonicabay@gmail.com
(213) 576-6757
SMBRF Program Coordinator
Michelle Kearney
Michelle is a Los Angeles native and grew up enjoying the many sporting activities the ocean has to offer, including boating, fishing, and surfing. She earned her B.S in Ecology, Behavior, and Evolution at the University of California, San Diego, and completed a M.S. in Environmental Engineering with emphasis in Wastewater Treatment at Loyola Marymount University. Michelle is interested in sustainable environmental practices and preserving the environment for generations to come.
mkearney@waterboards.ca.gov
(213) 576-6648
SMBRF Program Assistant
Victoria Ippolito
Victoria received her B.S. in Marine Biology from Roger Williams University where she conducted research on the giant clam. Victoria came to SMBRC after receiving a M.S. in Fisheries Science with a minor in Environmental Science from Louisiana State University. Victoria’s graduate research focused on oyster production methods for the commercial industry. She now works to educate and outreach to boaters. Victoria’s future research goals are to restore oyster populations and create reef habitats that will serve as nurseries for juvenile fish. In her spare time Victoria enjoys swimming, hiking and SCUBA diving.
vippolito@waterboards.ca.gov
(213) 620-2271
Brought to you by
SFEP Environmental Planner
Karen McDowell
Karen leads aquatic invasive species issues, manages a boater/sewage education program, and coordinates the State of the Estuary Conference and the CALFED Science Conference. She serves on regional, state, and federal invasive species task forces. She also coordinated a ballast water outreach program for California Sea Grant. Karen has a B.A. in Biology from U.C. Santa Cruz and a Ph.D. in Marine Ecology from the Florida Institute of Technology.
kmcdowell@waterboards.ca.gov
(510) 622-2398
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SFEP Environmental Planner
James Muller
James is from Virginia where he received his B.S. in Biology from Radford University before moving to San Francisco. At the University of San Francisco, James received his M.S. in Environmental Management. His coursework visited many different fields including environmental law, sustainable development, and urban planning among others. His master’s project examined the environmental impacts and regulatory framework of mountain top removal coal mining in southern West Virginia. James’ social outlets include trivia on Monday nights, visits to the park and volunteer work in San Francisco. Go Giants!
jamuller@waterboards.ca.gov
(510) 622-2406