LOG NEWS SERVICE — The BoatU.S. Foundation for Boating Safety and Clean Water is offering local community nonprofit groups grants of up to $4,000 each to develop projects that address environmental and safety problems on local waterways.

“Our grant program looks for innovative projects that encourage boaters to be safe and keep our waterways clean,” said grant program manager Alanna Keating. “Projects have ranged from high-flying blimps carrying safety messages and radio public service announcements, to custom-made fuel spill containment kits and signs at boat ramps highlighting the threat of invasive species,” she said.

During the past 20 years, the foundation said it has awarded more than $1 million to local community organizations, yacht clubs, flotillas and squadrons in separate Boating Safety and Clean Water grants. This year, to make it easier to apply for grants, the foundation has combined the two separate grant programs into a new single Grassroots Grants Program.

In past years, California groups have received grants for projects that ranged from promoting life jacket use through posters, T-shirts and advertising of the “Now You’re Clicking — Life Jackets Save Lives” campaign, to purchasing and installing outdoor bulletin boats that provided boating safety information, and producing public service announcements on boating safety topics.

BoatU.S. said that a total of up to $50,000 is available for grants this year.

Eligible groups, which include volunteer boating groups, clubs and associations as well as local nonprofit organizations, including local chapters of national organizations, may learn more about the grant program, view previous grant projects and download an application, which must be submitted by Feb. 28, at www.BoatUS.com/Foundation/Grants.