1
National Management
Measures to Control
Nonpoint Source Pollution
from Marinas and
Recreational Boating
Nonpoint Source Control Branch
Office of Wetlands, Oceans and Watersheds
Office of Water
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
November, 2001
-------
Acknowledgements
Edwin Drabkowski, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Water, Nonpoint
Source Control Branch, Washington, DC, was the primary author and project leader for this
guidance document.
Sam Pett, Tetra Tech, Inc., Fairfax, Virginia, assisted in the effort.
Neil Ross, Neil Ross Consultants, Kingston, Rhode Island, provided valuable contributions
-------
Contents
CONTENTS
SECTION 1: INTRODUCTION
The Purpose and Scope of This Guidance 1-1
Relationship to CZARA Guidance 1-2
National Water Quality Inventory 1-3
What is Nonpoint Source Pollution? 1-4
Watershed Approach to Nonpoint Source Pollution Control 1-5
Programs to Control Nonpoint Source Pollution 1-7
National Nonpoint Source Pollution Control Program 1-7
Storm Water Permit Program 1-8
Coastal Nonpoint Pollution Control Program 1-8
Clean Vessel Act Pumpout Grant Program 1-9
International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL) 1-9
Oil Pollution Act (OPA) and Regulations 1-10
Sources of Further Information 1-10
Watershed Resources • 1-H
SECTION 2: SOURCES OF WATER POLLUTION FROM MARINAS AND
RECREATIONAL BOATING
Pollutant Types and Impacts 2-2
Pollutants in the Water Column 2-2
Low Dissolved Oxygen 2-3
Metals 2-3
Petroleum Hydrocarbons 2-3
Solvents 2-4
Antifreeze 2-4
Acids 2-4
Surfactants 2-4
Pollutants in Aquatic Organisms.: 2-4
Pollutants in Sediments 2-5
Metals 2-5
Petroleum Hydrocarbons • • 2-5
Pathogens 2-5
Debris and Litter 2-6
Sediment and Habitat Alterations 2-6
Shoaling and Shoreline Alterations 2-7
SECTION 3: NONPOINT SOURCE POLLUTION CONTROL AND WATERBODY
CHARACTERISTICS
Understanding Management Measures and Practices 3-1
How Management Practices Work to Prevent Nonpoint Source Pollution 3-2
Management Practice Systems 3-4
Site-Specific Design of Management Practices 3-4
Important Characteristics of Marina Environments from a Pollution Perspective 3-5
General Factors Common to All Waterbodies 3-5
Lakes and Reservoirs • • 3-5
Rivers 3-6
Estuaries 3-6
Coastal Environments 3-7
-------
Contents
Boating on Inland Waters 3.7
Boating Access 3_8
SECTION 4: MANAGEMENT MEASURES
Introduction 4_1
4.1. Marina Flushing 4.7
4.2. Water Quality Assessment 4-13
4.3. Habitat Assessment 4-19
4.4. Shoreline Stabilization 4-27
4.5. Storm Water Runoff 4-31
4.6. Fueling Station Design .4-45
4.7. Petroleum Control 4.53
4.8. Liquid Material Management „.. 4.59
4.9. Solid Waste Management 4-67
4.10. Fish Waste Management 4.73
4.11. Sewage Facility Management 4.77
4.12. Maintenance of Sewage Facilities 4-87
4.13. Boat Cleaning 4_91
4.14. Boat Operation 4.95
4.15. Public Education 4.99
Note: A BMP Summary Table follows each Management Measure discussion.
SECTION 5: DETERMINING POLLUTANT LOADS
Example Models for Marina Flushing Assessment 5-2
Selection criteria 5-2
Models selected 5.3
Simple Model 5.3
Mid-Range Models 5.5
Tidal prism model 5.5
NCDEM DO model !""""!!""!"."!!! 5-6
ComplexModels 5.5
WASP4 '. """~5-6
EFDCHydrodynamic Model 5.7
Water Quality Monitoring in Marinas (for modeling applications) 5-8
Sampling guidelines for existing marinas 5-8
Spatial coverage 5-8
Constituents sampled 5.9
Sampling locations 5-10
Sampling time and frequency 5_10
APPENDICES
A. Best Management Practices Checklist for Marinas and Recreational Boating
B. Example Oil Spill Response Plan
C. Tables of Costs and Benefits of Marina Best Management Practices
D. Federal Laws Related to Marinas and Recreational Boating
E. Web Sites With Information Related to Marinas and Recreational Boating
F. Storm Water Runoff Management Practice Tables
BIBLIOGRAPHY
GLOSSARY
-------
Contents
Tables
1-1 Percentages of surveyed waters supporting designated uses 1-4
3-1 Marine sanitation device descriptions 3"4
4-1 Common invasive and exotic species of the United States • 4-21
A i-%r\
4-2 Conversion of SIC to NAICS ^"-^
4-3 Effectiveness of management practices for runoff control 4-33
4-4 EPA-designated no-discharge zones in the United States 4-83
5-1 Ease of application: Sources, support, and documentation 5-4
5-2 Level of effort for best models •, 5-5
BMP Summary Tables
Key to BMP Tables • 4'4
Table 1 Marina flushing management : 4-11
Table 2 Water quality assessment management 4-17
Table 3 Habitat assessment management 4-24
Table 4 Shoreline and streambank stabilization management • 4-30
Table 5 Storm water runoff management 4-40
Table 6 Fueling station design management 4-50
Table 7 Petroleum control management 4-56
TableS Liquid material management 4-63
Table 9 Solid waste management 4-71
Table 10 Fish waste management 4-75
Table 11 Sewage waste management 4-84
Table 12 Maintenance of sewage facilities management 4-89
Table 13 Boat cleaning management 4-94
Table 14 Boat operation management 4-98
Table 15 Public education management 4-105
Figures
1-1 Schematic of a watershed *'"
1-2 MARPOL placard M0
2-1 Effects of pollutants in aquatic systems 2'2
3-1 Typical features of and differences between lakes and reservoirs 3-8
4-1 Example marina designs 4~^
4-2 Breached breakwater, Puerto Del Rey Marina (PR) 4-10
4-3 The Secchi disk • 4'13
4-4 Scallop monitoring, Cedar Island Marina (CT) 4-15
4-5 Biological assemblages used for lake monitoring 4-16
4-6 Habitat assessment, Elliot Bay Marina (WA) 4-20
4-7 Oak Harbor Marina (WA) sign 4-23
4-8 Inland boat repair, Conanicut Marine Service (RI) 4-35
4-9 Grassed buffer, Deep River Marina (CT) 4'37
4-10 Grassed filter strip 4'38
4-11 Crushed gravel lot, Lockwood Boat Works (NJ) 4-38
4-12 Underground trench with oil/grit chamber 4-39
4-13 PWC floating docks 4"47
4-14 High temperature furnace, West Access Marina (IL) 4'62
4-15 Filter cloths, Port Annapolis Marina (MD) 4'67
4-16 Vacuum sanders, The Lodge of the Four Seasons Marina (MO) 4-68
4-17 Closed sandblasting system, Associated Marine Technologies (FL) 4-70
-------
Contents
4-18 Pumpout station logo 4_7g
4-19 Examples of pumpout systems 4.79
4-20 Pumpout system, Hall of Fame Marina (FL) 4_8Q
4-21 Staff pumpouts, Battery Park Marina (OH) 4-80
4-22 An example of a sign declaring a "no discharge" marina 4-81
4-23 Disposable doggie bags, Elliot Bay Marina (WA) 4-82
4-24 Warning sign that indicates toxicity to both people and the environment 4-92
4-25 National Clean Boating Campaign logo 4_101
4-26 Sign with instructions to patrons on proper disposal of materials ...4-102
5-1 Structure of and modules associated with the EFDC model 5-7
IV
-------
SECTION 1: Introduction
SECTION 1: INTRODUCTION
Section 1 Contents
The Purpose and Scope of This Guidance • 1"1
Relationship to CZARA Guidance • 1'2
National Water Quality Inventory
1-3
What is Nonpoint Source Pollution? • • • • • • 1'4
Watershed Approach to Nonpoint Source Pollution Control 1-5
Programs to Control Nonpoint Source Pollution 1-7
National Nonpoint Source Pollution Control Program 1-7
Storm Water Permit Program - 1"8
Coastal Nonpoint Pollution Control Program 1~8
Clean Vessel Act Pumpout Grant Program , 1'9
International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution
from Ships (MARPOL) ••1 "J
Oil Pollution Act (OPA) and Regulation 1'1°
Sources of Further Information • 1"10
Watershed Resources -1"11
The Purpose and Scope of This Guidance
This national management measures guidance for
marinas and recreational boating provides guid-
ance to states, territories, authorized tribes, and
the public regarding management measures that
may be used to reduce nonpoint source pollution
from marinas and recreational boating activities.
The guidance is intended to provide technical
assistance to state program managers and others
on the best practicable means of reducing
nonpoint source pollution of surface waters from
marinas and recreational boating. The guidance
provides background information about nonpoint
source pollution from marinas and recreational
boating—including where it comes from and how
it enters the nation's waters—and technical
information about how to reduce nonpoint source
pollution from marinas and recreational boating. It
also discusses the relationship of marinas to the
watersheds in which they are located.
The guidance can assist marina managers in
identifying possible sources of nonpoint source
pollution and offers potential solutions. Finding a
solution to nonpoint source pollution problems at a
marina requires taking into account the site-
specific factors that together compose the setting
of a marina. The best management practices
(BMPs) presented in Section 4 of this guidance
are recommended based on their successful
application at many marinas nationwide. Their
applicability to any particular marina or situation,
however, must be determined based on site-
specific factors. The applicability of the individual
BMPs and combinations of BMPs should be
considered within the overall context of the
location, environment, design, and needs of the
marina. Marina managers should make informed
decisions, based on the circumstances at their
particular marina, as to whether the BMPs in this
guidance or others would be most effective for
controlling nonpoint source pollution. Which BMP
or combination of BMPs is used is not the critical
point. Preventing water pollution is.
This guidance refers to statutory and regulatory
provisions that contain legally binding requirements.
It does not take the place of those provisions or
regulations, nor is it a regulation itself. Thus, it does
not impose legally binding requirements on the U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), states,
territories, authorized tribes, or the public and might
not apply to a particular situation. The decision
-------
National Management Measures Guidance
makers of EPA, states, territories, and authorized
tribes retain the discretion to adopt approaches on
a case-by-case basis that differ from this guidance
where appropriate. EPA may change this guidance
in the future.
The guidance is organized in six parts:
* Section 1 introduces the guidance.
• Section 2 discusses the sources of nonpoint
source pollution and the specific pollutants of
concern associated with marinas and recre-
ational boating.
• Section 3 discusses management measures
and site-specific BMPs generally, the use of
combinations of BMPs (BMP systems), and
the characteristics of surface waters where
marinas are located.
• Section 4 introduces the 15 management
measures for marinas and recreational
boating and describes BMPs that can be used
to achieve the management measures.
• Section 5 describes some models used to
estimate pollutant loads and discusses water
quality monitoring.
• Appendices provide additional relevant
information.
The management measures in this guidance are
the best available, economically achievable
practices or combinations of practices that can be
used to address nonpoint sources of pollution
related to marinas and recreational boating. EPA
originally identified 15 management measures for
implementation within the state coastal manage-
ment areas (see Guidance Specifying Manage-
ment Measures for Sources of Nonpoint
Pollution in Coastal Waters [USEPA, 1993]).
The titles of the management measures are listed
in the box to the above right. From discussions
with marina owners and operators at facilities on
fresh waters nationwide, these 15 management
measures and associated practices have been
found generally to be just as applicable to fresh
water marinas as they are to coastal water
marinas. They form the basic measures recom-
mended in this guidance.
Management Measures for Marinas
and Recreational Boating
Flushing
Water quality assessment
Habitat assessment
Shoreline stabilization
Storm water runoff
Fueling station design
Petroleum control
Liquid material management
Solid waste management
Fish waste management
Sewage facilities
Maintenance of sewage facilities
Boat cleaning
Boat operation
Public education
Best management practices are individual
activities or structures that can be used alone or in
combination to achieve the management mea-
sures. Refer to Section 4 for a thorough discus-
sion of the 15 management measures for marinas
and recreational boating and the known BMPs
that can be used to achieve them.
The scope of this national management measures
guidance is broad, covering diverse nonpoint
source pollutants from marinas and recreational
boating. Because it reflects all types of
waterbodies, it cannot provide all practices and
techniques suitable to all regional or local marina
or waterbody conditions. Also, BMPs are continu-
ously being modified and developed as a result of
experience gained from BMP implementation and
the innovation of marina managers across the
country.
Management measures are steps that
can be taken to control of the addition of
pollutants from nonpoint sources. Manage-
ment measures are achievable through the
application of BMPs, technologies,
processes, siting criteria, operating
methods, or other alternatives.
-------
SECTION 1: Introduction
Relationship to CZARA Guidance
Readers should note that this guidance is consis-
tent with the Guidance Specifying Management
Measures for Sources of Nonpoint Pollution in
Coastal Waters (USEPA, 1993) published under
section 6217 of the Coastal Zone Act Reauthori-
zation Amendments of 1990 (CZARA). This
guidance does not supplant or replace the 1993
coastal management measures guidance for the
purpose of implementing programs under section
6217.
Under CZARA, states that participate in the
Coastal Zone Management Program under the
Coastal Zone Management Act are required to
develop Coastal Nonpoint Pollution Control
Programs that ensure the implementation of
EPA's management measures in their coastal
management areas. The 1993 guidance continues
to apply to that program.
This national management measures guidance
modifies and expands upon the supplementary
technical information contained in the coastal
management measures guidance both to reflect
circumstances relevant to differing inland condi-
tions and to provide current technical information.
It does not set new or additional standards for
state Nonpoint Source Management Programs
under section 319 of the Clean Water Act (CWA)
or section 6217 of CZARA. It does, however,
provide information that government agencies,
private sector groups, and individuals can use to
understand and apply measures and practices to
address nonpoint source pollution from marinas
and recreational boating.
National Water Quality Inventory
The nation's aquatic resources are among its
most valuable assets. Although environmental
protection programs in the United States like
those implemented under the CWA have brought
great improvements to water quality during the
past 30 years, many challenges remain. Significant
progress has been made in reducing pollution to the
nation's waters from industrial and municipal
wastewater treatment systems. Nevertheless,
EPA reported in its 1998 National Water Quality
Inventory, published in June 2000, that more than
35 percent of the inland waters and estuaries
assessed are still too polluted to support their
designated uses (based on survey information
submitted by states, territories, and tribes). The
health of these waters is primarily degraded by
nonpoint source pollution, which is described more
fully on page 1-4.
Every 2 years, EPA reports to Congress on the
quality of the nation's waters in the National
Water Quality Inventory. States, territories, and
tribes survey the water quality in a sample of the
rivers and streams; lakes, ponds, and reservoirs;
estuaries; ocean shorelines; and/or Great Lakes
shorelines in their jurisdictions and report the
findings to EPA for the Inventory. Because each
state, territory, and tribe surveys its jurisdictional
waters according to individual priorities, the
survey results cannot be generalized as the quality
of the nation's waters overall, but the results do
provide a snapshot of nationwide water quality
and water quality trends.
The 1998 National Water Quality Inventory
summarizes the water quality assessment reports
submitted by states, territories, and tribes.
Table 1-1 lists the overall percentages of each
waterbody type surveyed and the water quality of
those waters in terms of designated use support.
States, territories, and tribes designate waters as
suitable for particular uses, depending on location,
surrounding land use, and other factors. For
instance, a river passing near an urban area might
be designated to be used for noncontact recre-
ation (such as fishing or boating), while a stream
in a state park might be designated for aquatic life
support. Water quality criteria are set for each
waterbody according to its designated use(s).
The types of pollutants that degrade these waters
are
Designated uses are set by states as
water quality goals for individual
waterbodies. Designated use goals
include drinking water supply, primary
contact recreation (such as swimming),
and aquatic life support. Each designated
use has a unique set of water quality
requirements or criteria that must be met
for the use to be attained.
1-3
-------
National Management Measures Guidance
Table 1-1. Percentages of surveyed waters supporting designated uses.
Waterbody Type
Rivers &
Streams (miles)
Lakes, Ponds, &
Reservoirs
(acres)
Estuaries
(square miles)
Ocean Shoreline
(miles)
Great Lakes
Shore line (miles)
Percent
Surveyed
23
42
32
5
90
Fully
Supporting
All Uses3
65
55
56
88
4
Threatened for
One or More
Uses3
10
9
9
8
2
Impaired for
One or More
Uses3
35
45
44
12
96
Quantity of
Waterbody
Type in US
3.7 million
miles
41. 6 million
acres
90,465
square miles
66,645
miles
5,521
miles
, _,, ,_j in this category. For example, 9 percent of the 32 percent of estuaries
surveyed were threatened for one or more uses at the time of the survey '
Source: USEPA, 2000 (1998 Report to Congress)
• Nutrients (excess nitrogen and phosphorus).
• Sediment (from soil and shoreline erosion).
• Disease-causing bacteria (from animal waste
washed into surface waters and inadequately
treated sewage).
• Toxic metals (from mining runoff, storm-
water runoff from urban and industrial areas,
and industrial processes).'
• Toxic organic chemicals (such as dioxins and
polychlorinated biphenyls, or PCBs).
• Oxygen-depleting materials (organic materials
like leaf litter that consume oxygen as they
break down in the water).
• Pesticides (including insecticides and herbi-
cides).
• Petroleum compounds (such as fuel, oil, and
grease).
• Noxious or invasive aquatic plants (such as
Eurasian water milfoil and water hyacinth).
The leading sources of these pollutants are
agriculture, municipal point sources, industrial
discharges, nonpoint sources (in general), urban
runoff/storm sewers, atmospheric deposition,
1-4
hydrologic modification (dams and shoreline
modification), habitat modification, and mining.
Although marinas are not one of the major
sources of pollution to our nation's rivers, lakes, or
, estuaries, they are centers of recreation, and poor
or inadequate pollution prevention practices in
them can result in human health problems and
local water quality degradation. Examples of
potential nonpoint source pollution problems at
marinas include poor water circulation and
flushing within the marina, petroleum spills from
storage tanks and boat fueling, bilge oil dis-
charges, and runoff from boat hull maintenance
and engine repair areas. Nonpoint source pollution
at marinas can also result from poor housekeeping
practices (such as in-water boat washing with
polluting detergents), a lack of containers for
recycling solid and liquid waste materials, and
inadequate sanitary facilities.
What Is Nonpoint Source Pollution?
Nonpoint source pollution results from rainwater
and snow (or snowmelt) carrying pollutants
picked up from the atmosphere or the ground to
surface water and ground water. It is also
associated with land runoff from irrigation or lawn
watering, ground water drainage from mines and
-------
SECTION 1: Introduction
landfills, seepage from broken or leaking pipes,
and hydrologic modification. Hydrologic modifica-
tion is anything that alters natural water currents,
such as dams and levees or changes to natural
shorelines with hard structures or excavation,
such as riprap or cement. These are considered
nonpoint sources of pollution because of the harm
that can occur to the biological and physical
integrity of surface and ground waters as a result
of them. The nonpoint source pollutants that
cause the greatest harm to surface waters are
nutrients, sediments, organic matter, pathogens,
Surface waters include ponds, lakes,
streams, rivers, estuaries, bays, and
oceans. Ground water Is the water in
soils and aquifers.
and toxic compounds (including petroleum com-
pounds and toxic metals).
Technically, the term nonpoint source is defined
to mean any source of water pollution that does
not meet the legal definition of point source in
section 502(14) of the CWA of 1987:
The term "point source" means any
discernible, confined and discrete
conveyance, including but not limited to
any pipe, ditch, channel, tunnel, con-
duit, well, discrete fissure, container,
rolling stock, concentrated animal
feeding operation, or vessel or other
floating craft, from which pollutants are
or may be discharged. This term does
not include agricultural storm water
discharges and return flows from irri-
gated agriculture.
Although diffuse runoff is usually treated as
nonpoint source pollution, runoff that enters and is
discharged from conveyances like those described
above is treated as a point source discharge. Point
sources typically enter receiving water bodies at
some identifiable site, such as the end of a pipe,
and they are usually the result of a discharge from
some industrial process or construction activity,
not rain or snowfall. The distinction between point
and nonpoint sources of pollution is an important
one because point source discharges such as
municipal and industrial wastewaters and storm
sewer outfalls from urbanized areas are regulated
and issued permits under the CWA, whereas
nonpoint sources are not subject to federal permit
requirements.
Watershed Approach to Nonpoint Source
Pollution Control
Marinas, by nature of their business, are posi-
tioned in a watershed, where the activities of
others in the watershed affect water quality in the
marina basin. Water quality at any specific point
along a river is influenced by all upstream and
upgradient locations in the river's watershed.
Marinas located on rivers and reservoirs are
potential recipients of the runoff from sources
located upstream and along upstream tributaries,
and from all upgradient land-based activities in the
watershed. Lakes are the natural sinks for runoff
from activities in their basins, and the water
quality in marinas on lakes is potentially influenced
by all of the activities in the watershed and
activities that occur on the lake. The water quality
of marinas in estuaries and coastal areas is
similarly influenced by the numerous activities that
contribute runoff and pollutants to the water
flowing into the marina basin. The runoff from
marinas in urban settings is often mixed with
runoff from nearby areas because runoff is
directed toward the surface waters where
marinas are located. Similarly, marinas in water-
sheds where agriculture is abundant may receive
a lot of runoff from upland agricultural sources.
Marinas can benefit from cooperative environ-
mental protection efforts that involve and educate
those who potentially contribute pollutants to the
surface waters in the watershed where the
marina is located and seek responsible, shared
solutions to water quality problems.
Since 1991 EPA has promoted the watershed
protection approach as a comprehensive frame-
work for addressing complex pollution problems,
such as those from nonpoint sources within a
defined geographic area. The watershed
protection approach is not a new centralized
government program. It is a flexible framework
for focusing and integrating current environ-
1-5
-------
National Management Measures Guidance
Watersheds are areas of land that drain to
a single stream, lake, or other water
resource. Watersheds are defined solely
by drainage areas and not by land owner-
ship or political boundaries.
mental protection efforts and for exploring
innovative methods to achieve maximum
efficiency in using resources and obtaining
positive environmental effects.
The watershed protection approach is a compre-
hensive planning process that considers all natural
resources in a watershed, as well as social,
cultural, and economic factors (Figure 1-1). The
process tailors workable solutions to ecosystem
needs through the participation and leadership of
stakeholders.
Although watershed approaches might vary in
terms of specific objectives, priorities, elements,
timing, and resources, all should be
based on the following guiding
principles:
• Partnerships: People affected
by management decisions are
involved throughout and help
shape key decisions. Coopera-
tive partnerships among federal,
state, and local agencies; Indian
tribes; and nongovernmental
organizations with interests in
the watershed are formed. This
approach ensures that environ-
mental objectives are well
integrated with those for eco-
nomic stability and other social/
cultural goals of the area. The
approach also builds support for
action among the people who
are economically dependent on
the natural resources of the
area.
Watershed projects typically
involve state environmental,
public health, agricultural, and
natural resources agencies; local
and/or regional boards, commis-
sions, and agencies; EPA waterand air
programs; other federal agencies; private
wildlife and conservation organizations;
industry sector representatives; and the
academic community.
• Geographic focus: Resource management
activities are coordinated and directed within
specific geographic areas, usually defined by
watershed boundaries, areas overlying or
recharging ground water, or a combination of
both. Watershed projects encompass all or
most of the landscape in a well-defined
watershed or other ecological, physiographic,
or hydrologic unit, such as an embayment, an
aquifer, or a lake and its drainage area.
Sound management techniques based on
strong science and data: Collectively,
watershed stakeholders employ sound
scientific data, tools, and techniques in an
r^ V *•*&*<
.#*» / jf L ,
*« ^4 Suburban Lawn Ma ntenance
Forest Harve ting f^Sfe^
j*»» — ^&
«ifl&*r y^i^ *
t .StL^wNi, •*•*£$!. i * •*• ,''
L ^«**^^^|J JK ^
Confined Animal Facllltlejj
I ~. ^ , £*„
* « . ^.
"* - in 4" ** Shoreline Developmenl [
fy 3»l , ''*•• r<4assB j»«i —*
i » W 1
Figure 1-1. Schematic of a watershed. Sources of pollutants from
throughout the watershed are carried downstream in surface water
runoff and ground water flow. The watershed approach involves
examining all pollution problems in the watershed, setting priorities,
and taking an integrated approach to addressing the problems.
1-6
-------
SECTION 1: Introduction
iterative decision-making process. Typically,
this process includes:
- Assessment and characterization of the
natural resources in the watershed and the
people who depend on them.
- Goal setting and identification of environmen-
tal objectives based on the condition or
vulnerability of resources and the needs of
the aquatic ecosystem and the people. Well-
defined goals and objectives are established
for the watershed, including objectives for
chemical water quality (e.g., reduced
toxicity), physical water quality (e.g., tem-
perature, flow, circulation), habitat quality
(e.g., channel morphology, health of biotic
communities), and biodiversity (e.g., species
number, range, replacement of exotic species
with native'species).
- Identification of priority problems. Water-
shed projects identify the most significant
threats to water quality, based on a com-
parative risk analysis of the potential human
health, ecological, and economic impacts.
The resources of the participants in a
watershed project are then targeted in a
coordinated fashion toward the high-risk
problems.
- Development of specific management
options and action plans. Based on the
priorities that have been set, integrated
action plans that will achieve the goals and
objectives of the watershed protection
project are devised.
- Implementation, evaluation, and revision of
plans as needed. All appropriate authorities
and techniques are employed to achieve the
goals and objectives set forth in-the action
plans. Normally, existing programs of local,
state, and federal agencies; private environ-
mental and civic groups; and industries and
corporations form the basis of the frame-
work for implementation of the action plans.
These separate efforts are merely coordi-
nated and redirected to work together more
efficiently to achieve common goals. Cost
savings due to this coordination of efforts
are often realized by the participants.
• Getting Organized: Working as a task force,
.stakeholders reach consensus on goals and
approaches for addressing a watershed's
problems, the specific actions to be taken, and
how those actions will be coordinated and
evaluated. Coordinated action can be taken in
areas such as voluntary pollution prevention
(BMP installation) and source reduction
(waste minimization).
Programs to Control Nonpoint Source
Pollution
Several federal laws and programs that address
nonpoint source pollution in one form or another
are in effect. The most important ones are
discussed below.
National Nonpoint Source Pollution Control
Program
During the first 15 years of the federal water
pollution control program to abate and control
water pollution (1972-1987), EPA and the states
focused most of their water pollution control
activities on industrial and municipal wastewater
point source discharges. They regulated point
sources through the National Pollutant Discharge
Elimination System (NPDES) permit program
established by section 402 of the 1972 Federal
Water Pollution Control Act (Clean Water Act).
Discharges of dredged and fill materials into
wetlands were also regulated by EPA and the
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers under section 404
of the CWA.
As a result of these activities, by the mid-1980s
pollutant loads from point source discharges had
been greatly reduced and considerable progress
had been made in restoring and maintaining water
quality. However, the gains made in controlling
point sources had not achieved the desired level
of water quality improvement. Recent studies and
surveys by EPA and by state water quality
agencies indicate that most of the remaining
water quality improvement impairments in rivers,
streams, lakes, estuaries, coastal waters, and
wetlands result from nonpoint source pollution and
other nontraditional sources, such as urban storm
water discharges and combined sewer overflows.
-------
National Management Measures Guidance
In view of the growing national awareness of the
now-dominant influence of nonpoint source
pollution on water quality, Congress amended the
CWA in 1987 to focus pollution control efforts on
nonpoint sources. The amended CWA added a
fundamental principle to section 101, "Declaration
of Goals and Policy":
It is the national policy that programs
for the control of nonpoint sources of
pollution be developed and implemented
in an expeditious manner so as to
enable the goals of this Act to be met
through the control of both point and
nonpoint sources of pollution.
Supporting the section 101 Declaration, Congress
enacted section 319 in the 1987 act, which
established a national program to control nonpoint
sources of water pollution. Under section 319,
states, territories, and Indian tribes address
nonpoint source pollution by assessing the prob-
lems and causes of nonpoint source pollution and
implementing management programs to control
them. Section 319 authorizes EPA to issue grants
to states and tribes to assist them in implementing
management programs or the portions of manage-
ment programs that have been approved by EPA.
In 1990-2001, EPA awarded more than $1.3
billion in section 319 grants to help states, territo-
ries, and tribes implement their nonpoint source
programs.
Further information about nonpoint source pollu-
tion control is available at EPA's web site,
http://www.epa.gov/owow/nps.
Storm Water Permit Program
The CWA prohibits the discharge of any pollutant
to waters of the United States from a point source
unless the discharge is allowed under a National
Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES)
permit. The NPDES permitting program is
designed to track classes of point source dis-
charges, monitor the discharge of pollutants from
specific sources to surface waters, and require
the implementation of the controls necessary to
minimize the discharge of pollutants.
As pollution control measures for industrial and
municipal wastewater sources were implemented
and refined, studies showed that storm water
runoff draining large surface areas, such as
agricultural and urban land, was also a significant
cause of water quality impairment.
In 1987 Congress amended the CWA to require
implementation of a comprehensive national
program for addressing problematic nonagricul-
tural sources of storm water discharges. As
required by the amended CWA, the NPDES
Storm Water Program is implemented in two
phases:
• Phase I requires permits for separate storm
water systems serving large- and
medium-sized communities (those with more
than 100,000 inhabitants) and for storm water
discharges associated with industrial and
construction activity involving at least 5 acres
(see Title 40 of the Code of Federal Regula-
tions [CFR], Part 122).
• Phase II addresses urban areas with popula-
tions of less than 100,000; construction sites
of 1 to 5 acres; and retail, commercial, and
residential activities.
Further information is available on EPA's NPDES
Storm Water Program web page,
http://www.epa.gov/owm/npdes.htm.
Information on the applicability of the Storm
Water Permit Program to marinas is provided in
Section 4.5.
Coastal Nonpoint Pollution Control Program
In November 1990 Congress enacted CZARA.
The amendments were intended to address the
impacts of nonpoint source pollution on coastal
water quality. Section 6217, "Protecting Coastal
Waters" (codified as 16 U.S.C. section 1455b),
provides that each state with an approved Coastal
Zone Management Program must develop and
submit a Coastal Nonpoint Pollution Control
Program to EPA and the National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) for approval.
Section 6217 required NOAA to recommend and
states to determine the geographic area in each
coastal state within which land and water uses
have a significant effect on coastal water quality,
and states are to implement control measures
1-8
-------
SECTION 1: Introduction
within this 6217 management area, or coastal
management area.
Coastal Nonpoint Pollution Control Programs are
not intended to supplant existing Coastal Zone
Management Programs and Nonpoint Source
Management Programs. Rather, they are to serve
as an update and expansion of existing nonpoint
source management programs in the 6217 man-
agement area and are to be coordinated closely
with the Coastal Zone Management Programs
that states and territories are already implement-
ing. The legislative history indicates that the
central purpose of section 6217 is to strengthen
the links between federal and state coastal zone
management and water quality programs and to
enhance state and local efforts to manage land
use activities that degrade coastal waters and
habitats.
Section 6217(g) of CZARA required EPA to
publish, in consultation with NOAA, the U.S. Fish
and Wildlife Service, and other federal agencies,
"guidance for specifying management measures
for sources of nonpoint pollution in coastal
waters." EPA published Guidance Specifying
Management Measures for Sources of Non-
point Source Pollution in Coastal Waters in
1993. In that document, CZARA management
measures and BMPs were defined and described
for marinas and recreational boating, as well as
for urban development, agriculture, hydro-
modification and wetlands, and forestry.
Further information on CZARA and coastal
nonpoint source pollution control can be found at
the EPA web site for CZARA and section 6217:
http://www.epa.gov/owow/czmact.html.
Clean Vessel Act Pumpout Grant Program
The Clean Vessel Act (CVA) Pumpout Grant
Program makes matching grants available,
through a competitive process, to all states and
territories for construction and education
efforts and to coastal states (excluding Alaska)
to conduct surveys and develop plans for the
installation of pumpouts for onboard sewage
holding tanks. States match grant funds at a 3:1
(federal-to-state) ratio. The program benefits
boaters, who will have more numerous and
convenient pumpout facilities to use as a result
of the program, and the public and environment as
a whole through reductions of disease-carrying
microorganisms contained in sewage discharges
and improvements in dissolved oxygen concentra-
tions. Further information is available at
http://fa.r9.fws.gov/cva/cva.html.
International Convention for the Prevention
of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL)
The International Convention for the Prevention
of Pollution from Ships, known as MARPOL 73/78
(for Marine Pollution) is an internationally accepted
treaty that, together with U.S. laws and regula-
tions, sets out operational waste discharge
requirements for ships. MARPOL 73/78 contains
five annexes designed to reduce marine pollution
by controlling or prohibiting discharges of harmful
MARPOL 73/78 ANNEXES
Annex I: Oil
Annex II: Noxious liquid substances in
bulk
Annex III: Harmful substances carried
in package form
Annex IV: Sewage
Annex V: Garbage and all other
ordinary ship-generated solid
and liquid waste not covered
by Annexes I, II, III, and IV
substances from ships (see box). It covers
intentional and accidental discharges of wastes of
all kinds from vessels and applies to ports, termi-
nals, and marinas as well. The United States is
signatory to MARPOL 73/78 and Annexes I, II,
III, and V; Annex IV is not currently in force
internationally.
In the United States, MARPOL 73/78 is imple-
mented through the Act to Prevent Pollution
from Ships of 1980, as amended. The U.S.
Coast Guard is responsible for promulgating
regulations and enforcing the treaty. Regulations
for ships are included in 33 CFR Part 151; those
for port reception facilities are included in 33
CFR Part 158.
1-9
-------
National Management Measures Guidance
MARPOL 73/78 Annex V is implemented in the
United States by the Marine Plastic Pollution
Research and Control Act (MPPRCA) of 1987,
Title II of Public Law 100-220. Annex V prohibits
disposal of plastics at sea and restricts at-sea
disposal of other vessel-generated trash. It also
requires shore reception facilities for the plastics
and other trash brought to shore for disposal.
Recreational boating facilities, along with other
ports and terminals, are required to have a trash
reception facility that is capable of receiving trash
from those vessels that do business with them
(33 CFR Part 158). Vessels 26 feet or longer
must display a placard that explains MARPOL
73/78 Annex V ocean disposal regulations
(Figure 1-2).
Oil Pollution Act (OPA) and Regulations
The Oil Pollution Act (OPA) is a comprehensive
prevention, response, liability, and compensation
regime for dealing with vessel- and facility-
generated discharges of oil or hazardous sub-
stances. Under the OPA, any hazardous waste
spill from a vessel must be reported by the owner
of the vessel and vessel owners are responsible
for any costs of a resulting environmental cleanup
and any damage claims that might result from the
spill. Marinas are responsible for any oil contami-
nation resulting from their facilities, including
dumping or spilling of oil or oil-based paint and the
use of chemically treated agents.
The OPA also requires Area Committees to
prepare an Area Contingency Plan for approval
by EPA and the Coast Guard. An Area Contin-
gency Plan provides details of how to respond to
a spill within a specific geographic area. Marinas
are subject to a broader range of claims and
liability than vessel owners, and marina owners
should consult their Area Contingency Plan for
proper remedial actions.
There are other laws that relate directly and indi-
rectly to marinas and recreational boating. The major
tenets of those laws are presented in Appendix D
and on EPA's web site at http://www.epa.gov/oilspill.
Sources of Further Information
Other information about nonpoint source pollution
and its control can be accessed at the Office of
Wetlands, Oceans, and Watersheds page of the
EPA web site, http://www.epa.gov/owow.
USCG. 1994. Managing Waste at Recreational
Boating Facilities. U.S. Coast Guard, Marine
MARPOL Garbage Dumping Restrictions
their connecting or tributary waters.
Violators are subject to a civil penalty of up to $25,000, a fine of up to $500,000, and 6 years imprisonment.
Open Ocean Restrictions
Navigable waters & within
j 3 nautical miles offshore 3-12 nautical miles offshore 12-25 nautical miles offshore
Illegal to dump all garbage! ,
^ Illegal to dump garbage > 1"
Illegal to dump floatable packaging, dunnage & lining materials.
^ Illegal to dump plastics anywhere.
Keep our nation's waterways clean-it's the law!
Figure 1-2. MARPOL placard
1-10
-------
SECTION 1: Introduction
Environmental Protection Division, Environmental
Coordination Branch, Washington, DC. April.
USEPA. 1993. Guidance specifying manage-
ment measures for sources of nonpoint pollu-
tion in coastal waters. EPA 840-B-92-002. U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency, Office of
Water, Washington, DC. January.
USEPA. 1996. Clean Marinas—Clear Value:
Environmental and Business Success Stories.
EPA 841-R-96-003. U.S. Environmental Protec-
tion Agency, Office of Water, Washington, DC.
August.
USEPA and USDOC. 1993. Coastal Nonpoint
Pollution Control Program: Program Develop-
ment and Approval Guidance. U.S. Environ-
mental Protection Agency, Office of Water,
Washington, DC, and National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration, Washington, DC.
January.
Watershed Resources
EPA's Surf Your Watershed web site offers a
Web-based source of information about water-
sheds throughout the United States. The site
contains information about watershed size,
pollutants, stressors, and condition. Access
information for any watershed in the nation by
clicking on maps at http://www.epa.gov/surf.
USEPA. 1991. The Watershed Protection
Approach. EPA/503/9-92/002. U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency, Office of Water, Washington,
DC. December.
USEPA. 1995. Watershed Protection: A Project
Focus. EPA841-R-95-003. U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency, Office of Water, Washington,
DC. August.
USEPA. 1997. Top 10 Watershed Lessons
Learned. EPA840-F-97-001. U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency, Office of Water, Washington,
DC. October. [This document discusses some
very important lessons in ensuring the success of
watershed protection projects, gained from
experience with the watershed approach for
addressing environmental problems. The docu-
ment contains case studies of watershed projects
that have been implemented throughout the
country and lists of contacts for further informa-
tion and technical assistance. It is available at
http://www.epa.gov/owow/lessons.]
Other references and information on organizations
related to pollution prevention in marinas can be
found in the bibliography and Appendix E. Other
information about nonpoint source pollution and its
control can be found at the EPA Office of
Wetlands, Oceans, and Watersheds web page:
http://www.epa.gov/owow.
1-11
-------
National Management Measures Guidance
1-12
-------
SECTION 2: Sources of Pollution
SECTION 2: SOURCES OF WATER POLLUTION FROM MARINAS
AND RECREATIONAL BOATING
Section 2 Contents
Pollutant Types and Impacts 2-2
Pollutants in the Water Column ....2-3
Low Dissolved Oxygen 2-3
Metals 2-3
Petroleum Hydrocarbons 2-4
Solvents 2-4
Antifreeze, ....2-4
Acids 2-4
Surfactants ....2-4
Pollutants in Aquatic Organisms 2-4
Pollutants in Sediments 2-5
Metals 2-5
Petroleum Hydrocarbons 2-5
Pathogens • - ...2-5
Debris and Litter 2-6
Sediment and Habitat Alterations 2-6
Shoaling and Shoreline Alterations 2-7
Marinas are not reported by states, territories, or
tribes to be a major source of nonpoint pollutants
that contribute to poor water quality, as are
sources such as agriculture and urban areas,
though the location of marinas at the water's edge
can lead to their being affected by other pollutant
sources. Pollutants from upstream point and
nonpoint sources in a watershed might flow to a
marina's waters, adding to any nonpoint pollutants
released at the marina itself. Water quality in a
marina, therefore, is often a reflection of not only
nonpoint source pollutants generated at the marina
but also a cumulative load of pollutants from
several watershed sources. Awareness of the
potential for the generation of nonpoint source
pollution at a marina and of how to use
management measures and site-specific BMPs to
reduce nonpoint source pollution is important to
ensuring the best possible water quality in a
marina basin. This section of the guidance
describes the pollutants that can be generated at a
marina and their potential effects on water quality
and aquatic life.
The construction of a marina can create a
condition of reduced water circulation. Installing
structures such as bulkheads and jetties, which
are necessary to ensure the safety of vessels,
docks, and shoreside structures, can cause water
circulation in the basin to be below what it was
before the marina's construction. In an area
already protected from wave action, such as a
cove or inlet, marinas can potentially introduce
pollutants to an area with limited natural circula-
tion or water exchange. Over time, reduced
circulation and increased pollutant generation can
increase pollutant concentrations in the water
column, sediments, and aquatic organisms.
The pollutants that might be generated at a marina
and enter a marina basin include nutrients and
pathogens (from pet waste and overboard sewage
discharge), sediments (from parking lot runoff and
2-1
-------
National Management Measures Guidance
shoreline erosion), fish waste (from dockside fish
cleaning), petroleum hydrocarbons (from fuel and
oil drippings and spills and from solvents), toxic
metals (from antifoulants and hull and boat
maintenance debris), and liquid and solid wastes
(from engine and hull maintenance and general
marina activities). The effects of these pollutants
on waterways and aquatic plants and animals are
discussed in this section. Marina construction and
reconstruction, in-water modifications at marinas,
and propeller wash and boat wakes can also
disturb aquatic habitats, plants, and animals.
Although nonpoint source pollution is a serious
problem nationally, more is always being learned
about effective ways to prevent and reduce it.
The purpose of this section is to describe the
general causes of nonpoint source pollution,
the specific pollutants and problems of concern,
and the general approaches to reducing the
impact of pollutants and other problems on aquatic
resources as these relate to marinas and recre-
ational boating. Figure 2-1 illustrates the general
types of problems that various pollutants can
cause in aquatic systems.
Pollutant Types and Impacts
Marina construction can alter habitats at a site.
Shoreline vegetation may be reduced at some
locations. Bottom sediments may be stirred up
more frequently with boating activity and dredging
to maintain channel and basin depth. These kinds
of alterations can have both negative and positive
effects. For example, installation of marina pilings
and bulkheads introduces a hard-surfaced habitat
into a marina that previously might have been
dominated by a soft-bottomed habitat of mud and
silt. Organisms that prefer rocks and other hard
surfaces (fouling organisms) will colonize this new
habitat and in turn may attract other invertebrates
and juvenile fish to the area.
The fact that a marina is present does not mean
that water quality is poor. Many marinas have
good to excellent water quality. Despite this, their
aquatic habitats might not be healthy enough to
support a natural diversity of aquatic organisms,
and they might still have sediments contaminated
by pollutants from storm water runoff or by anti-
foulants that have leached from ship hulls or piers.
NUTRIENTS
SEDIMENTS
TOXICANTS
EUOLOCICAt.
ASSEMBLAGE* ALTERED
Figure 2-1. Effects of pollutants in aquatic systems.
2-2
-------
SECTION 2: Sources of Pollution
Pollutants in the Water Column
Pollutants from marinas can cause pollution
problems in the water column. These problems
usually take the form of decreased levels of
dissolved oxygen and increased levels of metals
and petroleum hydrocarbons. Pollutants that
cause these problems get into the water through
storm water runoff, discharges from boats, and
spills of fuel or bilge water.
Low Dissolved Oxygen
The organic matter in materials such as sewage
discharged from recreational boats, trash tossed
into surface waters or on the ground, pet waste
carried to waterbodies in storm water runoff, and
fish waste disposed of into surface waters
consumes dissolved oxygen as it decomposes.
The amount of dissolved oxygen required to
decompose sewage and other organic matter is
measured as the "biological oxygen demand"
(BOD) of a waterbody. Consumption of oxygen
by decomposing organic matter leaves less
oxygen for fish, crabs, clams, and other aquatic
organisms. Very low levels of dissolved oxygen
can result when water temperatures are high
(because hotter water holds less oxygen), which
is often the case during the peak summer boating
season. Decreases in dissolved oxygen in several
northwestern marinas have been noted in the late
summer and early fall, the peak times of marina
use. An intensive study in several North Carolina
marinas showed large differences in dissolved
oxygen concentrations in the marinas compared to
the concentrations in the adjacent waterbodies,
with concentrations in the marinas being much
lower.1 These low concentrations of dissolved
oxygen were thought to be due to high biological
oxygen demand in the marina basins (due to
unknown causes) and poor flushing.
Metals
Metals and metal-containing compounds have
many functions in boat operation, maintenance,
and repair. Arsenic is used in paint pigments,
pesticides, and wood preservatives. Zinc anodes
are used to deter corrosion of metal hulls and
engine parts, and zinc is often a constituent of
motor oil and tires. Copper is used as a biocide in
antifoulant paints. Chromated copper arsenate
(CCA) is used in wood as a preservative. Mer-
cury is contained in many float switches for bilge
pumps and shower water storage tank pumps and
in air conditioning/heating thermostats. These ,
switches can contain as much mercury as 100
fluorescent lamps. Nickel is a component of brake
linings and pavement material; and cadmium is
present in batteries and brake linings. These and
other metals (aluminum, iron, and chromium) are
used in various components used at marinas or by
recreational boaters and can wash from parking
lots, service roads, and launch ramps into surface
waters with rainfall. High levels of zinc, chro-
mium, and lead have been detected in the waters
of some marinas.
Many of the antifoulants used for barnacle control
in marine waters are used in fresh waters as well.
Copper is the most common metal found at toxic
concentrations in marina waters.2 Dissolved
copper has been detected at toxic concentrations
at several marinas within the Chesapeake Bay.3
Copper is leached to surface waters and sedi-
ments from bottom paints and scrapings. Tin in
the form of butyltin, an extremely potent and non-
specific biocide, has been detected at toxic levels
in marina waters nationwide.4 The use of butyltins
in bottom paint is now restricted to paints with
release rates of 4.0 micrograms per square
centimeter or less and on vessels larger than 25
meters (82 feet) in length and on aluminum-hulled
vessels regardless of size. Although butyltins are
no longer used on most boats, the years of their
use in antifoulants has left areas of low to high
concentrations of these compounds in sediments.
Disturbance of the sediments can reintroduce the
toxic compounds into the water column, where
they can be ingested by fish or other aquatic
organisms and in turn by people.
NCDEM, 1990.
2 NCDEM, 1990, 1991; METRO, 1992.
3 Hall et al., 1987.
4 Grovhoug et al., 1986; Maguire, 1986; Stephenson et
al., 1986; Stallard et al., 1987.
2-3
-------
National Management Measures Guidance
Petroleum Hydrocarbons
Sources of hydrocarbons at a marina include
fueling stations; operation, maintenance, and
repair of boat engines; and storm water runoff
from the marina property and off-site upland
areas. Petroleum hydrocarbons are contained in
fuel, oil, grease, lubricants, finishes, and cleansers.
Petroleum can be spilled directly into surface
waters when fuel drips from fueling nozzles or a
fuel tank is overfilled at a dock. Older 2-stroke
marine engines discharge unburnt fuel and oil
directly to the atmosphere and surface waters
while they are operating. Oil, fuel, paint, anti-
freeze, or other liquids dripped from engines or
paint brushes or spilled while draining oil or fuel
from engines enter surface waters indirectly with
storm water runoff or in flows of ground water
after the substances have seeped into the ground.
Rainwater washes anything dripped, spilled,
deposited, or disposed of from building roofs,
parking areas, boat ramps, and maintenance areas
on the marina property and nearby properties to
the nearest downstream surface water, which is
often the marina basin.
Solvents
Solvents like methylene chloride, tetrachloro-
ethane, trichloroethene, and trichlorethylene are
contained in degreasing agents, varnishes, paint
removers, and lacquers. They are used at marinas
for engine maintenance and repair activities and
vessel painting and cleaning. If not properly
contained, solvents can potentially enter marina
waters through surface water runoff or through
ground water transport from hull maintenance
areas. Solvents are stable compounds that are
insoluble in water, which makes them very mobile
in ground water. They are usually heavy, long-
chain organic compounds, so they sink to an
impermeable bottom layer in the ground (like
bedrock) and accumulate. Many solvents are
known cancer-causing compounds (carcinogens).
Antifreeze
Antifreeze is used at marinas in dry storage of
boats and engine maintenance. It contains either
ethylene glycol or propylene glycol. Propylene
glycol antifreeze is reported to be much less toxic
2-4 " ~
to aquatic organisms than ethylene glycol and is
therefore preferred for use in boats. Both types of
antifreeze, however, are considered toxic and
should be poured, stored, and drained carefully to
avoid spillage. Used antifreeze should be taken to
a hazardous waste collection center and recycled
ifpossible.
Acids
Batteries contain battery acid, which is very
corrosive and toxic and often contains high levels
of toxic metals like lead. Cleaning compounds and
detergents often contain strong acids or lye.
These materials can be washed into the marina
basin with the next rain along with the petroleum
hydrocarbons, solvents, paint chips, and other
material spilled on the ground. Many hazardous
waste collection stations accept used batteries.
Surfactants
Surfactants are compounds used in detergents
and other cleaning agents to reduce surface
tension. Some are known to be very deadly to
aquatic organisms. Surfactants can also accumu-
late at the water surface and create a barrier
against the transfer of dissolved oxygen across
the air-water interface, resulting in lowered
dissolved oxygen concentrations in the water. For
these reasons, surfactants are best not used on
boats that are in the water or on upland areas
where runoff washes into surface waters.
Pollutants in Aquatic Organisms
Many aquatic organisms feed by sifting through
sediments or eating organisms that filter food
particles out of the water. The aquatic organisms
thus ingest any pollutants attached to or mixed in
with the sediments or suspended particles. The
pollutants they ingest accumulate in their tissues
rather than being excreted. When many smaller
organisms, each of which has accumulated some
pollutants in its tissues, are eaten by an organism
higher in the food chain (for instance, a fish), that
organism then accumulates in its tissues all of the
pollutants accumulated by the lower organisms.
This process, called bioaccumulation, is the reason
that very small quantities of pollutants in the water
column can result in dangerous concentrations of
pollutants in fish, oysters, and other aquatic
-------
SECTION 2: Sources of Pollution
organisms. Numerous studies conducted from the
late 1970s through early 1990s have demonstrated
this effect and, in particular, the effect on marinas
when proper pollution prevention is not prac-
ticed.3 Copper and zinc have been found at higher
concentrations in oysters from marinas than in
oysters from sites outside marinas; higher-than-
normal concentrations of copper, cadmium,
chromium, lead, tin, zinc, and PCBs have been
found in mussels from marina waters; after 3
months, concentrations of lead, zinc, and copper
were two to three times higher in oysters trans-
planted to marinas than in oysters left outside
marinas; and concentrations of copper in green
algae and fouling organisms (barnacles, etc.)
were much higher in a marina area than in
adjacent areas.
Pollutants in Sediments
Many contaminants generated from boat mainte-
nance and general marina use (e.g., oil and grease
drippings from cars) do not dissolve well in water
and accumulate to higher concentrations in
sediments than in the overlying water. Contami-
nated sediments may, in turn, act as a source from
which these contaminants can be released into
overlying waters. Benthic organisms—those
organisms that live on the bottom or in the
sediment—are exposed to pollutants that accumu-
late in sediments. Pollutants ingested by these
organisms become increasingly concentrated in
animal tissue as the pollutants are passed up the
food chain, and thus can reach levels dangerous
for human consumption. Many fish advisories are
issued for this reason.
Metals
Copper is the major contaminant of concern in
sediments because many common antifouling
paint preparations contain cuprous oxide as the
active biocide component.6 In most cases metals
tend to sink and accumulate in sediments and not
stay in the water column, though they do attach to
small suspended particles and can be distributed in
the water column with these particles. When
attached to suspended particles, metals are often
associated with small particles, so they settle out
of the water column slowly and are mixed upward
easily. In marinas, higher levels of some metals
(such as copper and lead) have been found near
maintenance area drains and fuel docks than at
other locations, suggesting that maintenance areas
and fueling stations are sources of metals to the
water and good targets for pollution prevention
practices.7 ,
Petroleum Hydrocarbons
Petroleum hydrocarbons, particularly polynuclear
aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), tend to attach to
suspended particles and sediments. Because
they can stay in sediments for years, they can be
ingested by mussels, oysters, or other bottom-
dwelling organisms long after they are spilled or
washed into the water. Studies have found high
concentrations of petroleum hydrocarbons in
marinas, though the studies have also found that
concentrations of these compounds are much
lower in the sediments of well-flushed marinas.8
Such findings support the supposition that
sufficient flushing in a marina basin is important
to prevent a buildup of pollutants in marina
sediments.
Pathogens
Studies that have attempted to determine whether
there is a correlation between boating density and
pathogen (fecal coliform) concentrations in lakes
and reservoirs are divided in their conclusions.
Pathogens are added to surface waters by
wildlife, dogs and cats, seeping septic tanks, and
combined sewer outfall overflows, and these
sources could have a larger impact than boaters
on pathogen concentrations. Some violations of
health standards for fecal coliform bacteria (the
bacteria found in human and animal wastes) have
been related to periods of high-intensity recre-
ational use, such as holiday weekends. These
violations could be due to either boater discharges
CARWQCB, 1989; Marcus and Stokes, 1985;
McMahon, 1989; NCDEM, 1991; Nixon et al., 1973;
SCDHEC, 1987; Wendt et al., 1973; SCDHEC, 1987;
Wendt et al., 1990; Young et al., 1979.
METRO, 1992.
7 McMahon, 1989; NCDEM, 1991; Soule et al., 1991.
8 Marcus et al., 1988; McMahon, 1989; NCDEM, 1990:
Voudrias and Smith, 1986.
-------
National Management Measures Guidance
or sediments where pathogens are concentrated
being stirred up, or both.
Studies conducted in Puget Sound, Long Island
Sound, Narragansett Bay, North Carolina, and
Chesapeake Bay have shown that boats can be a
source of fecal coliform bacteria in areas with
high boat densities and poor flushing.9 Human
health problems can result, especially if nearby
waters are used for swimming, surfing, wind
surfing, water skiing, or other recreational activi-
ties that involve significant water contact.
Bacterial and viral contamination of waters can
result from improper use of marine sanitation
devices (MSDs). If a vessel has an installed toilet,
the law requires that it be equipped with an MSD.
Incorrect configuration of the toilet and MSD can
lead to direct discharge of waste to surface
waters. Discharge of the contents of portable
toilets to surface waters also results in contamina-
tion. Boats with portable toilets are not required to
have MSDs, and their contents should be disposed
of at a sanitation facility.
Currently a number of states have designated all
or nearly all of their surface waters as no dis-
charge zones (NDZs). These states include
Michigan, Missouri, New Hampshire, New
Mexico, Rhode Island, and Wisconsin. Boats on
fresh waters in New Hampshire, Missouri, and
New Mexico must be configured such that
wastes cannot be discharged directly into the
water (i.e., Y-valves must be disabled), and boats
may be inspected to see that this requirement is
met. In addition, other states have segments of
their surface waters designated as NDZs. These
states include California, Florida, Georgia, Massa-
chusetts, Minnesota, New Jersey, Nevada, New
York, South Carolina, Texas, and Vermont. NDZs
are approximately evenly divided (in number of
areas designated) between fresh waters and
marine or estuarine waters. A no-discharge policy
is also in effect on all Army Corps of Engineers
reservoirs.
' Fisher et al., 1987; Gaines and Solow, 1990; Milliken
and Lee, 1990; NCDEM, 1990; Sawyer and Golding,
1990: Seabloom et al., 1989.
Debris and Litter
The numerous activities that occur at marinas—
vessel and engine repair and maintenance,
recreation on and offbeats, fueling, dock mainte-
nance, and building and grounds maintenance—
are sources of a variety of debris and litter. Paper
towels and cups, plastic bags, plastic and glass
bottles, fish netting, fishing line, discarded oil
filters and engine parts, discarded rags, debris
from sanding or pressure washing, pet droppings,
aluminum cans, and other forms of trash all find
their way into surface waters if not disposed of
properly. Coastal cleanups result in the collection
of millions of pounds of trash and debris from
U.S. coasts annually. The most common items
found along the nation's coasts are cigarette butts,
plastic pieces, foamed plastic pieces, plastic food
bags/wrappers, plastic caps/lids, paper pieces,
glass pieces, plastic straws, metal beverage cans,
glass beverage bottles, plastic beverage bottles,
and foamed plastic cups. These wastes are
dangers to marine animals, which can die from
becoming entangled in items like fishing nets and
lines and from ingesting small pieces of debris that
are mistaken for food. The trash and debris are
dangerous to people visiting the coasts, who might
accidentally step on discarded items, injure
themselves, and risk infection. They are also
unnatural, unsightly additions to the coastal
landscape.
Sediment and Habitat Alterations
Dredging can disturb aquatic habitats; resuspend
bottom sediments (and recirculate toxic metals,
hydrocarbons, pathogens, and nutrients that are
found in sediments into the water column); and
increase turbidity, which reduces sunlight available
to algae and aquatic vegetation. Increased
turbidity lowers the rate of photosynthesis and
decreases the rate at which dissolved oxygen is
added to the water. Because dredging usually
occurs over a short time period and then ceases,
impacts that result from it, such as turbidity and
dissolved oxygen reductions, are usually tempo-
rary and do not have long-term negative effects.
Other consequences of dredging, such as habitat
disruption and deterioration, can have lasting
impacts.
2-6
-------
SECTION 2: Sources of Pollution
Boat operation can cause these same problems in
the water column and for aquatic organisms by
disrupting shallow habitats and communities and
mixing nearshore sediments into the water
column.10 Propeller-driven boats operated too fast
near the shoreline can cause bank erosion."
Shallow waterways can be affected by propellers
cutting off or uprooting aquatic plants from the
bottom and propwash mixing sediments into the
water.12 The latter not only reduces photosynthe-
sis, but also can interfere with fish and other
sight-feeding animals, clog fish gills, and smother
plants and animals.
The effect that boat traffic and motor operation
can have on water quality and biological commu-
nities in lakes, reservoirs, rivers, and estuaries
varies and depends on the characteristics of the
waterbody and the type of watercraft being
operated on it.13 The effects are most acute in
soft-bottomed lakes and reservoirs, quiet side
channels of rivers and streams where fine
sediment accumulates because of the lack of
strong currents, and waterbodies that have
sediments rich in nitrogen and phosphorus.
The impact of boats on rooted plants depends on
the depth of the plants below the surface. Where
submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV) occurs in
shallow areas, boats passing through the area can
create troughs where the vegetation is eliminated
or severely reduced. Most direct effects of
motorboats on submerged aquatic vegetation take
place in water less than 5 feet deep, and motor-
boats can effectively remove all rooted vegetation
in water less than 3 feet deep, especially in areas
with sandy sediments. Recovery of submerged
aquatic vegetation beds can take years, and loss
of vegetation can lead to increased erosion and
invasion by other species. Submerged aquatic
vegetation protects shorelines from erosion and is
an important resource for many aquatic organisms
because it provides food and shelter.
Larval and juvenile fish can be killed directly by
boat propellers and propeller wash. Spawning or
nesting fish can be disturbed, and propeller wash
10 Chmura and Ross, 1978.
" British Waterways Board, 1983.
12 USEPA, 1974.
13 IISFWS, 1982.
can be powerful enough to destroy fish eggs. Fish
populations can be lowered if survival of young-
of-the-year fish is diminished and reproductive
success is lowered. Manatees and other aquatic
animals that swim near the water surface also
suffer from propeller strikes. Many manatees in
Florida bear the scars of propeller cuts.
Shoaling and Shoreline Alterations
Shoaling and shoreline erosion result from the
physical transport of sediment caused by waves
and currents. These waves and currents can be
natural (wind-induced, rainfall runoff, etc.) or
human-induced by boat wakes or in-water
structures that change currents or reflect waves.
When waves caused by passing vessels or
reflected from breakwaters reach the shallow
margins of a waterway, they can erode banks and
nearby bottom sediments. This effect tends to
wash away plants loosely rooted in sediments
near the shore and the associated animal life. A
substantial volume of the sediment that causes
shoaling is eroded from banks, and removing this
material by dredging is a costly recurrent
expense. Frequent dredging can be necessary
where boat traffic causes extensive bank erosion.
No wake zones and travel lanes located away
from shorelines can reduce and help prevent bank
erosion and shoaling. There is a direct relationship
between factors such as the distance of a boat
from shore, boat speed, slopes of the sides of a
bank, type of sediment, and depth of the water-
way and the amount of erosion and subsequent
shoaling that results. The location of travel lanes
should be determined for each specific case with
these factors in mind.
The amount of shoreline erosion caused by boat
wakes in lakes and reservoirs depends on the
same factors as in coastal environments—design
features of the boat (size, hull shape, and draft),
distance of the boat from the shoreline, water
depth, channel width (if the boat is passing
through a channel), shoreline soil condition, slope
of the shoreline bank, and amount of shoreline
vegetative cover. In contrast to coastal environ-
ments, in lakes and reservoirs vegetation often
grows up to the shoreline, currents are minimal,
and there are no tides. Therefore, although boat
-------
National Management Measures Guidance
wakes may be a primary source of erosive energy
in lakes with a large amount of boating activity,
vegetated shorelines reduce the potential for
erosion in lakes. Boat wakes are most likely to
cause lake shoreline erosion where the shoreline
has been altered and not stabilized and is there-
fore already susceptible to erosion.
2-8
-------
SECTION 3: Nonpoint Source Pollution Contra/
SECTION 3: NONPOINT SOURCE POLLUTION CONTROL AND
WATERBODY CHARACTERISTICS
Section 3 Contents
Understanding Management Measures and Practices 3-1
How Management Practices Work to Prevent Nonpoint Source Pollution 3-2
Management Practice Systems • 3-4
Site-Specific Design of Management Practices 3-4
Important Characteristics of Marina Environments from a Pollution
Perspective.... - • 3"5
General Factors Common to All Waterbodies 3-5
Lakes and Reservoirs • • 3"5
Rivers - 3"6
Estuaries —— 3"6
Coastal Environments 3-7
Boating on Inland Waters • 3-7
Boating Access
.3-8
Understanding Management Measures and
Practices
Management measures and practices are imple-
mented at marinas primarily to control nonpoint
source pollution, which in turn protects water
resources and terrestrial and aquatic habitat,
enhances the aesthetic appeal of the marina, and
protects the marina and the people using it from
toxic and harmful substances. The focus of this
guidance is on management measures and
practices that mitigate the generation of pollutants
(using pollution prevention practices) and the
delivery of runoff or nonpoint source pollutants
(using source reduction practices) to our nation's
coastal and fresh waters.
Management measures are defined as
economically achievable measures for
the control of the addition of pollutants
from existing and new categories and
classes of nonpoint sources of pollu-
tion, which reflect the greatest degree
of pollutant reduction achievable
through the application of the best
available nonpoint source control
practices, technologies, processes,
siting criteria, operating methods, and
other alternatives.
Marinas and recreational boating management
measures contain general management guidelines
to prevent or minimize nonpoint source pollution.
Individual management practices are not included
as part of the statement of the management
measures, and states have considerable flexibility
in determining how they will achieve the manage-
ment measures.
Best management practices, or BMPs, are used
to fulfill management measures. There are two
basic types of management practices—pollution
prevention and source reduction. Pollution pre-
vention practices are practices implemented to
prevent the creation or release of pollution into the
environment. An example is a vacuum sander that
gathers sanding dust before it even has a chance
to fall to the ground. Using a nontoxic cleanser in
place of a toxic one is another example of pollu-
tion prevention. Source reduction controls are
practices implemented to gather pollutants that
have been released before they can reach the
water. They include practices that filter, screen,
trap, contain, absorb, chemically neutralize, or
divert pollutants before they reach a waterbody or
-------
National Management Measures Guidance
ground water. An oil/water separator in a storm
drain is an example. A tarp under a boat during
hull maintenance, with follow-up disposal of all
collected debris in a trash receptacle, is another
example of source reduction.
Management measures and practices can also be
either structural (e.g., used oil collection contain-
ers, multiple openings to a marina basin) or
managerial (e.g., pollution control agreements in
slip leases, marina policies regarding where boat
hull maintenance can be done on the marina
property and who is allowed to do it). Individual
management practices are not usually sufficient
for solving water quality problems but are used in
combination to control the diverse potential
sources of pollution at marinas. For example,
placement of absorbent pads in bilges is a good
means to control the release of petroleum-based
pollutants, but without storm water runoff controls
in parking lots and air/fuel separators to control
spillage during refueling, petroleum hydrocarbon
pollution in the marina basin is likely.
Management practices are best selected, de-
signed, implemented, and maintained in accor-
dance with site-specific considerations to ensure
that the practices function together properly to
achieve overall pollution management goals. For
example, a grassed drainage swale designed to
handle only the quantity of water expected to fall
on a parking lot during a design storm will not
effectively control pollution if the grassed drain-
age swale receives runoff from non-marina
upland areas as well. When more than one
management practice is used to control a type of
pollutant from individual or multiple sources, the
individual practices will work as a system more
effectively if the design standards and specifica-
tions of the individual practices are compatible.
Additional effectiveness might be achieved if
BMPs for a site are selected within the context of
an overall watershed protection program. Further
information can be found at EPA's watershed
protection web site, http://www.epa.gov/owow/
watershed.
EPA's management measures for marinas and
recreational boating are described in Section 4.
How Management Measures and Practices
Work to Prevent Nonpoint Source Pollution
Nonpoint source pollution control management
measures and practices are devised to prevent
and reduce the introduction of pollutants gener-
ated by marina-related activities to the marina
basin. Controlling the entry of pollutants into the
marina basin helps protect water quality, control
aquatic weeds, reduce odors that result from
decaying matter, ensure a more attractive and
healthy shoreline, maintain water clarity, and allow
for the natural ecological processes of the marina
basin and surrounding waters to maintain the
basin without the need for expensive chemical or
mechanical treatments.
Management measures are recommended to
control the delivery of nonpoint source pollutants
to receiving waters by
• Minimizing pollutants released to the environ-
ment during an activity (pollution prevention).
• Preventing the transport and delivery of
pollutants by reducing runoff and thus the
amount of pollutant transported (source
reduction).
• Treating runoff pollution before it is released
into surface or ground waters (source reduc-
tion).
Management practices are used to control
pollutants generated by specific activities. For
example, pumpouts, dump stations, and/or
restrooms are installed to discourage dumping
sewage into waterways and thus to reduce the
release of organic materials and pathogens into
the water.
Implementing management measures and prac-
tices also provides secondary benefits. For
example, use of a vacuum-based (often referred
to as "dustless") sanding system prevents paint,
wood, and fiberglass dust from being blown about
and potentially ending up in marina basin waters.
It also improves working conditions, protects the
health of employees, and reduces post-sanding
clean-up work so workers can be more produc-
tive. Another example of a management practice
that provides environmental benefits beyond those
linked to water quality is a grassed drainage swale
3-2
-------
SECTION 3: Nonpoint Source Pollution Control
surrounding a marina basin. As a runoff pollution
control practice, it reduces nutrient and sediment
delivery to the basin. It also provides an aesthetic
buffer along the water's edge and natural habitat
for aquatic plants and animals.
Nitrogen and phosphorus, in both dissolved
organic and inorganic forms, are the two principal
nutrients that promote plant and algal growth. In
general, nitrogen is the limiting nutrient for plant
growth (the nutrient whose abundance determines
rates of plant growth) in marine ecosystems, and
phosphorus is the limiting nutrient in freshwater
ecosystems. Both nitrogen and phosphorus can
limit plant growth in some estuarine systems,
where freshwater and marine ecosystems
converge, and both are necessary for the produc-
tion of phytoplankton, free-floating microscopic
algae, and macrophytes (larger floating and rooted
plants). When the limiting nutrient is overabun-
dant, phytoplankton, algae, and macrophytes can
grow excessively, causing a decrease in water
clarity, production of unsightly surface scum, and
clogged waterways. All of these conditions are
detrimental to marina operations for aesthetic
reasons. They are also detrimental for operational
reasons: excessive macrophytes can hinder boat
passage and entangle propellers and pipelines. As
these plants die, their decomposition in the marina
basin consumes dissolved oxygen and degrades
water quality. In extreme cases, anaerobic, foul-
smelling water might result.
For these reasons, controlling the entry of nutri-
ents into the marina basin makes good managerial
sense. The marina will be aesthetically more
appealing and operationally more functional, and
maintenance costs will be kept down by not
having to harvest overgrowths of aquatic plants.
Sources of nitrogen and phosphorus at a marina
include detergents that contain phosphorus,
sewage from boat heads or on-site septic sys-
tems, fertilizers used on marina grounds, pet and
wildlife waste, and waste from fish cleaning.
The introduction of pathogens into a marina basin
due to inadequate sanitation practices is a legiti-
mate cause for concern by marina managers. If
the water in a marina basin has elevated levels of
fecal coliform bacteria or is contaminated with
viruses, marina patrons could be in danger of
contracting illness. Insistence that marina patrons
use pumpout stations or have a properly operating
Type I or II marine sanitation device (MSD) on
their vessel can protect the patrons from the
dangers of poor sanitation and the marina owner
from lawsuits that could result from such incidents.
The types of MSDs are described in Table 3-1.
Untreated sewage, pet waste, discarded fish
parts, and all forms of litter can add polluting •.
organic matter and debris to a marina basin's
water, creating an aesthetically and biologically:
undesirable environment. Excessive organic,
matter in a marina basin leads to lowered dis-
solved oxygen levels. It also makes water murky.
Water clarity is reduced further from other
activities that stir sediment and particles of
decomposing organic debris up from the bottom.
Litter like paper and styrofoam cups, plastic bags
and soda can holders, fishing lines or nets, and
discarded materials from boat maintenance
activities creates an unsightly marina basin. It is
also a threat to fish, waterfowl, and shorebirds,
which can become entangled in plastics or might
eat debris mistaken for food and die as a result.
Harmful or toxic compounds in a marina basin
create conditions that not only are dangerous to
the health of people and animals but also can be
aesthetically unpleasant and expensive to correct.
Petroleum compounds can be toxic to aquatic
habitat and a nuisance for marina patrons. Oil,
gasoline, and materials that contain these com-
pounds (such as discarded oily rags, bilge pads,
and dirty bilge water) are pollutants that detract
from the beauty of the marina setting by leaving
an unsightly surface sheen. In addition, the
discharge of any petroleum product in a sufficient
quantity to cause a surface sheen is a violation of
federal law and is punishable by the imposition of
substantial fines and penalties. These compounds
foul boats, docks, and anything else that comes
into contact with them. Fish gills and the feathers
of waterfowl are fouled by these substances,
jeopardizing the animals' health, and plant leaves
can become coated, preventing pr reducing the
plants' ability to photosynthesize.
All of these potential sources of pollution to
marina basins and the undesirable conditions they
cause for marina patrons and owners point out the
importance of establishing controls on how wastes
3-3
-------
National Management Measures Guidance
Table 3-1. Marine sanitation device descriptions
Type I
(Vessel size = <65 ft)
Type 11
(Vessel size = >65 ft)
Type III
(All vessel sizes)
MSDTYPES
A flow-through MSD in which sewage is filtered though an on-board
treatment system and then directly discharged. Required to produce an
effluent with a fecal coliform bacteria count <; 1,000/100 ml and no visible
floating solids (40 CFR 140.3). Rely on maceration and disinfection for
treatment of sanitary waste.
A flow-through device larger than a Type I MSD. Required to produce an
effluent with a fecal coliform bacteria count z 200/100 ml and suspended
solids <; 150 mg/L (40 CFR 140.3). A Type II MS D provides more
advanced treatment than a Type I MSD.
Device designed to prevent overboard discharge of treated or untreated
sewage. Commonly a called holding tank because the sewage flushed from
the marine head is deposited into a tank containing deodorizers and other
non-treatment chemicals. Contents of the holding tank are stored until
properly disposed of at ashoreside pumpout facility. Can be equipped with
a discharge option, called a Y-valve, that allows the boater to direct the
discharge from the head either into the holding tank or directly overboard.
Overboard discharge is illegal in U.S. navigable waters.
are disposed of, the use of pumpouts, where
storm water drains, and where boat maintenance
is allowed to occur. Good pollution control can
leave marina basin waters as healthy an environ-
ment for people, fish, aquatic plants, and other
aquatic organisms as any other part of a
waterbody.
Management Practice Systems
Water quality problems can't usually be solved
with one management practice because single
practices cannot provide the full range and extent
of control needed to limit the entry of pollutants
from numerous sources. Multiple management
measures or practices can be combined to build
management practice systems that address the
pollutant control needs associated with pollutant
generation from more than one source. For
example, controlling petroleum hydrocarbon
pollution is an objective of four marina manage-
ment measures (storm water runoff, fueling
station design, liquid material, and petroleum
control). A single management practice cannot
adequately control petroleum hydrocarbon
pollution because one management practice can
usually address pollution from only a single
source. Separate management practices are
necessary to control pollution from other sources.
For instance, a grassed drainage swale can
control petroleum hydrocarbon pollution from
surface runoff, air/fuel separators can control it
from boat fuel tanks, berms are helpful (and might
be required) at liquid material storage areas, and
bilge pads are effective in boat bilges. If any one
of these sources is overlooked or inadequately
addressed, the overall goal of controlling petro-
leum hydrocarbon pollution in the marina basin
might not be attained.
Site-Specific Design of Management
Practices
There is no single, ideal management practice for
controlling a pollutant or class of pollutants in all
situations. Rather, management practices should
be chosen and designed based on the types of
pollutants causing problems, sources of the
pollutants, causes of pollution at the marina,
climate, type of waterbody, existing water quality,
habitats in and around the marina basin, pollution
reduction goals, experience of the system design-
ers, and willingness and ability of the marina
owner to implement and maintain the practices.
The relative importance of these and other factors
varies depending on other considerations such as
3-4
-------
SECTION 3: Nonpoint Source Pollution Contra!
whether the implementation is voluntary or
mandatory (e.g., required under a storm water
permit).
Important Characteristics of Marina
Environments from a Pollution Perspective
Marinas are located on nearly every type of
surface water—lakes, rivers, inland Waterways,
reservoirs, embayments, bays, coastal channels,
and others. Each of these waterbody types has
different characteristics that affect how pollutants
behave in them; that is, whether they are diluted
quickly or not, accumulate in sediments or remain
in the water column, or concentrate in specific
areas or disperse. Although marina operators
cannot affect the qualities of or processes that
occur in waterbodies, knowledge of the qualities
and processes particular to the type of waterbody
where a marina is located is useful when devising
a pollution control strategy and in general for
helping to understand the larger watershed
context within which every marina is located.
accentuated in estuaries, where the mixing of
fresh and salt water creates turbulent and turbid
conditions. Most metals transported down rivers
to estuaries are removed to bottom sediments in
the estuary.
Pollutant resuspension is another potential con-
cern in marinas, and it is affected by currents,
boat traffic, and dredging. Toxic metals and
hydrocarbons are often mentioned in the context
of pollutant resuspension, but bacteria and viruses,
nutrients, organic matter, and any other pollutants
concentrated in sediments are also resuspended
by water turbulence and can cause water quality
problems.
The type of waterbody on which a marina is
located plays a role in processes in the marina
basin, like sedimentation; pollutant delivery,
settling, and resuspension; and circulation. The
subsections that follow discuss the general types
of environments where marinas are located and
factors of concern in each of them.
General Factors Common to All Waterbodies Lakes and Reservoirs
Sediment has the potential to be a concern at any
marina because of the turbid waters it can create,
the dredging that might become necessary if too
much sediment accumulates in the marina basin,
and the pollutants it can carry with it. Sediment
can enter a marina from upland flow (storm water
runoff) and from surrounding waters. The amount
of sediment contained in either of these sources is
very site-specific and needs to be assessed
individually at each marina.
Along with the sediment are nutrients and toxic
substances attached to sediment particles. The
types and quantities of these pollutants are other
factors that are best assessed on a site-specific
basis. Many chemicals (including nutrients and
chemical pollutants) have different forms with
different tendencies to attach to particles, biode-
grade, and volatilize. Each chemical form might
have a different toxicity to aquatic life. The
chemical form can change when the compound
moves from one environment to another—for
instance, from ground water to surface water or
from fresh water to salt water. Heavy metals
naturally react to particles and sorb onto sus-
pended particulates. This process is particularly
Lakes and reservoirs are strongly affected by the
characteristics of the watersheds in which they
are located, more so than coastal waters because
lakes and reservoirs are not flushed and mixed
with a larger body of water. Water that enters
lakes and reservoirs carries with it nutrients,
sediment, oxygen, decomposing organic matter,
fertilizers and pesticides used on farms and lawns,
and weathered minerals. In addition, pollutants
from on-site waste disposal systems (septic tanks)
that leak into ground water, industrial and munici-
pal point sources that discharge into rivers and
streams that then feed into the lake or reservoir,
street runoff, and pollutants from the atmosphere
all enter lakes and reservoirs and affect their
ecology.
The water quality and biological effects of
pollutants discharged into the waters of lakes and
reservoirs depend on a combination of lake and
reservoir characteristics. Depth is one of the
characteristics that determines the effect of
marinas and recreational boating in a lake or
reservoir. Lakes and deeper reservoirs are usually
thermally divided during the summer into distinct
upper (epilimniori) and lower {hypolimniori)
3-5
-------
National Management Measures Guidance
Watersheds are areas of land that drain to
a single stream, lake, or other water
resource. Watersheds are defined solely
by drainage areas and not by land owner-
ship or political boundaries.
portions. Because the density of water depends
on its temperature, the temperature difference
between the upper and lower portions creates a
difference in density as well. Wind circulation
alone is not enough to overcome the density
difference between the upper and lower portions,
so there is little exchange of dissolved oxygen
between the upper portion and the lower portion
while a lake or reservoir is divided in this manner.
The epilimnion usually has a depth of from about
10 feet in shallow lakes to 40 feet in deep lakes.
A narrow region where water temperature
changes rapidly with depth (usually about 1.5 °F
per 3 feet of depth), the thermocline, rests
between the epilimnion and the hypolimnion. The
hypolimnion is more or less uniform in tempera-
ture and extends from the base of the thermocline
to the bottom of the lake or reservoir.
Stratified lakes and reservoirs have two periods of
overturn or mixing each year, one in the autumn
and another in the spring. The change of season
from a warm summer to a cold winter destratifies
lakes and reservoirs and induces mixing; the
reverse process of warming with the change from
winter to summer induces another mixing period.
Because there is limited exchange of dissolved
oxygen between the epilimnion and the hypolim-
nion while a lake or reservoir is stratified, the
oxygen depleted in the hypolimnion during the
summer is not replenished until the autumn
overturn. During the overturn, when a lake or
reservoir is unstratified, dissolved oxygen is
usually uniformly distributed from the surface to
the bottom.
Stratification and mixing of lakes and reservoirs
influence the effect of pollutants on them. When a
lake or reservoir is stratified, the upper
(epilimnetic) volume of the lake or reservoir
determines the volume of water available for
dilution of fuel, oil, and other wastes that are not
mixed into or do not sink into the hypolimnion
while the waterbody is stratified. The total volume of
"gig
the lake or reservoir determines the volume of water
available to dilute pollutants over time.
Another important characteristic of lakes and
reservoirs is the hydraulic residence time (HRT).
The HRT of a lake or reservoir is the time it
would theoretically take for all of the water in the
lake or reservoir to be replaced by new water
entering it naturally. For example, if a lake has a
volume of 5 million gallons and natural flow into
the lake from streams averages 10,000 gallons per
day, the HRT of the lake would be 500 days
(5,000,000/10,000). In a lake with an HRT of 10
years, therefore, even if pollution input were
completely stopped, existing lake water would
predominate for many years while new water
slowly replaced the polluted water. There would
be a long lag time (perhaps 2 to 3 years) before
improvements in lake water quality would be seen.
Rivers
Water quality at any point along a river is strongly
influenced by upstream water and land uses. If
the conditions that affect upstream water quality
change, downstream water quality is affected.
Examples of upstream changes in conditions
include clearing land near the river for construc-
tion or forest harvesting, which might increase
sediment loading, or changing land use change
from forest to agriculture, which could increase
sediment, nutrient, and chemical pollution. Water
quality changes at downstream locations can
occur in pulses if inputs of pollutants from up-
stream dredging or pesticide and fertilizer
applications, for instance, are short-lived. The
duration of changes in water quality depends on
the type of upstream change. A change in land
use from forest to agriculture over a large area,
for instance, could cause long-term changes in
water quality, whereas an increase in suspended
sediment from dredging might last no longer than
the duration of the dredging work.
Estuaries
Estuaries are similar to coastal embayments with
the special characteristic of receiving fresh water
from upland areas via rivers and streams. This
characteristic creates special circumstances and
properties. Where fresh water meets salt water,
there is a change in salinity and alkalinity, a
-------
SECTION 3: Nonpoint Source Pollution Control
change in water density (because salt water is
more dense than fresh water), a loss of water
velocity, and turbulence due to the meeting of
fast-moving river water and quiescent estuarine
water. These factors affect the behavior of
sediment and the pollutants attached to it.
Sedimentation is greater in the upper portions of
estuaries where rivers enter because of the
water's loss of velocity. Sedimentation also
occurs where the fresh water and salt water meet
because the change in salinity causes suspended
particles to join together into larger particles and
settle. The changes in salinity and pH affect many
pollutants, such as nutrients and toxic metals, in
the incoming fresh water as well. The form of a
pollutant might change because of these changes
in the water, making it less or more toxic or
causing it to attach to or detach from sediment
particles. As in coastal embayments, the force of
tides influences estuarine environments as well.
Coastal Environments
Coastal environments are areas of high energy,
with tides moving in and out, coastal storms,
waves constantly washing against the shore, and
currents moving along the coast. Marinas cannot
afford to be subject to all of this energy because
of the need to offer protection for boats and
on-land structures; therefore, they are usually
located on quieter embayments along the coast or
are protected from coastal energies by artificial
means like breakwaters. However, the energetic
processes of the coast still exert a strong effect
on the water quality and aquatic environment of
marinas.
Coastal embayments have quieter waters than
open coastal areas, and sediments tend to accu-
mulate in quiet-water areas because the lack of
water movement permits the sediment to settle.
Countering this tendency are tides and coastal
storms that mix sediments from the bottom and
transport them to open waters. So, in marinas
located in coastal embayments, pollutants can
build up if tidal action is not strong or the
embayment is well protected from storm action.
As noted above, metals transported down rivers
to estuaries sorb onto particulates and settle to
sediments. In general, more than 90 percent of
particulate matter transported by rivers settles in
estuarine and coastal marine areas and does not
escape to offshore waters.
Modification of coastal areas—for example, by
excavating coastal land to create a marina or by
adding breakwaters—can alter coastal currents
near marina entrances. The effect in any particu-
lar area depends on local conditions relating to
currents and the sizes and types of sediments
transported by them. Coastal currents carry
sediments with them, and these sediments tend to
be transported into channels that lie perpendicular
to the current. Artificial structures and channels
can also alter erosion patterns due to alterations
of wave patterns in the immediate vicinity. Thus,
marinas in altered coastal environments might
have to contend with problems of sedimentation
and erosion that were not present before the
coastal alterations.
Boating on Inland Waters
A picture of a marina on a large inland reservoir,
lake, or river would look very similar to a picture
of a coastal marina. Lakes and reservoirs range in
size from small (an acre or less) to very large.
Reservoirs operated by the Tennessee Valley
Authority range in surface area size from rela-
tively small (10 to 12 miles long by '/a mile wide)
to large (180 miles long by 1 mile wide), and their
depths typically range from 100 to 300 feet. The
size of a lake or reservoir dictates the types of
boats that can be used on it, and the boats used on
large inland lakes and reservoirs are usually of the
same types (keeled sailboats, large motorboats,
and yachts) as those used along the coast.
Marinas on large lakes and reservoirs are also
very similar to coastal marinas. They can have as
many as 200 slips (some marinas on Lake
Winnipesaukee in New Hampshire have 150 to
200 slips); they often have fueling stations,
pumpout services, and hull maintenance areas;
boat use is concentrated on the weekends, with
holiday weekends being especially busy. Inland
marinas can also be smaller, especially those
located on smaller lakes and rivers. A directory of
marinas in Louisiana lists 51 marinas on freshwa-
ter lakes, rivers, and bayous with capacities of as
few as 10 boats in slips or moorings.
3-7
-------
National Management Measures Guidance
Because reservoirs are dendritic (that is, they
have a branching configuration; see Figure 3-1),
the surface area in their main channels is limited.
Marinas or docks extending into the main channel
of a reservoir would impede navigation, and
therefore they are typically located to the side of
the main channel. Some typical features of lakes
and reservoirs are summarized in Figure 3-1.
Boating Access
In 1984 Congress created the Aquatic Resources
Trust Fund, which made two sources of funding
available for the acquisition, design, and construc-
tion of recreational boating facilities. The Boating
Safety Account is administered by the U.S. Coast
Guard and primarily provides grants to states to
help finance boating safety programs, one element
of which is access. The Sport Fish Restoration
Account is administered by the U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service. Ten percent of revenues to the
account from recreational user taxes and a
marine fuel tax must be expended by states for
boating access. States may also use funds from
the account to operate and maintain recreational
boating facilities.
The States Organization for Boating Access
(SOBA) was created in 1987 to promote the
acquisition, development, and administration of
recreational boating facilities. The organization
maintains close ties with the Coast Guard and
Fish and Wildlife Service both to ensure that the
boating access aspects of the grant programs
administered by these agencies receive the funds
and attention that Congress intended and to provide
input from states on program requirements.
Construction of boat ramps is an aspect of boating
access that can affect shorelines and water
quality in inland waters. Where appropriate,
measures that can help protect the environment
and ensure attractive and safe boating access
points are highlighted throughout this document
and are based on the concepts developed by
SOBA. A thorough treatment of the topic can be
found in SOBA's book Design Handbook for
Recreational Boating and Fishing Facilities
(1996), available from SOBA at 919-781-0239.
TYPICAL LAKE
• Smaller watershed area
• Longer hydraulic residence time
• Simpler shape, shoreline
• Surface outlet
TYPICAL RESERVOIR
• Larger watershed area
• Shorter hydraulic residence time
• More complex shape, shoreline
• Surface or subsurface outlet
Figure 3-1. Typical features of and differences between lakes and reservoirs.
3-8
-------
SECTION 4: Management Measures
SECTION 4: MANAGEMENT MEASURES
Section 4 Contents
Introduction
4.1
4.2
4.3
4.4
4.5
4.6
4.7
4.8
4.9
4.10
4.11
4.12
4.13
4.14
4.15
Marina Flushing [[[ ... ................................ .......4-7
Water Quality Assessment ... [[[ 4-13
Habitat Assessment [[[ . ....... 4-19
Shoreline Stabilization [[[ 4-27
Storm Water Runoff .................................. ... ...................... . .......................... ... ....... 4-31
Fueling Station Design [[[ .-....; ........ . ..................... ....4-45
Petroleum Control ..................................... . [[[ ....4-53
Liquid Material Management .................. ...... .................... ... .................................. 4-59
Solid Waste Management [[[ . .............................. 4-67
Fish Waste Management ................................................. . ...................................... 4-73
Sewage Facility Management ....................... .... ................... . ................................. 4-77
Maintenance of Sewage Facilities [[[ 4-87
Boat Cleaning [[[ .. ......... . ..... ...4-91
Boat Operation [[[ . [[[ 4-95
Public Education ....... . [[[ ..... ................................. 4-99
Introduction
Management measures are the best available,
economically achievable practices or combina-
tions of practices that can be used to address
nonpoint source pollution from marinas and
recreational boating. Best management practices
(BMPs) are individual activities or structures that
can be used alone or in combination to achieve
the management measures.
EPA identified 15 measures for implementation
within state coastal management areas. From
discussions with marina owners and operators at
facilities on fresh waters nationwide, these 15
management measures and associated practices
have been found generally to be just as applicable
to freshwater marinas as to coastal water mari-
nas. They form the basic measures recommended
in this guidance. This section discusses the 15
management measures for marinas and recre-
ational boating and BMPs that can be used to
achieve them.
The scope of this guidance is broad, covering
diverse nonpoint source pollutants from marinas
and recreational boating. Because it applies to all
types of waterbodies, it cannot provide all prac-
tices and techniques suitable to all regional or
local marina or waterbody conditions. Also,
BMPs are continually being modified and devel-
oped as a result of experience gained from their
implementation and the innovation of marina
owners and operators across the country.
The guidance can help marina managers identify
potential sources of nonpoint source pollution and
offer potential solutions. Finding the best solution
-------
National Management Measures Guidance
aquatic habitats, improve habitat quality in and
around the marina basin, and reduce the potential
for water quality problems in the marina basin.
Considering pollution prevention possibilities when
planning a marina can help ensure that the design
of the marina and activities at the marina do not
lead to degraded water quality in the basin once
the marina is operational. Incorporating pollution
prevention and source reduction measures into an
existing marina can help improve and protect
water quality at the marina. Good water quality
can help any marina keep operational costs low
and improve customer satisfaction.
Marina siting and design play important roles in
determining how good water quality in a marina
basin will be. Marina location (open—sited
directly on a river, lake, bay, or barrier island, or
semi-enclosed—sited on an embayment, cove, or
other protected area) affects circulation in a
marina basin and, therefore, how well it flushes.
The depth of a marina basin affects circulation of
deep water in the basin and how often it needs
maintenance dredging, if at all. Dredging stirs
contaminants from the bottom and can disturb
bottom habitats. Marina design, especially the
configuration of the basin and its orientation to
prevailing winds, waves, tides, and currents,
affects the retention of pollutants in a marina
basin and the movement of pollutants out of a
basin. Some marinas may be affected by storm
water runoff from upland areas in the watershed.
Existing marinas can improve water and habitat
quality in the marina basin through application of
these management measures. Circulation and
flushing may be improved in a marina basin by
creating an additional opening in a breakwater.
Shoreline stabilization may reduce the sedimenta-
tion rate and sediment levels in a marina basin,
provide an area for patron activities, and make
shoreline habitats more suitable for a variety of
aquatic and terrestrial plants and animals. Im-
provements to storm water runoff patterns,
fueling stations, sewage facilities, hull mainte-
nance areas, or other areas or aspects of a
marina where pollutants are generated can reduce
pollutant inputs to the marina basin from these
sources and improve water quality.
A marina designed with the important points of
the management measures in mind—including
physical location, flushing and circulation, aquatic
habitat, shoreline stability, and pollution preven-
tion—will probably have better water quality and
fewer water-pollution-related problems during its
life of operation, and economic benefits may
result from making such improvements.1 This
applies whether the management measures are
applied while the marina is being designed or
incorporated into the marina after it is operational.
Subsections 4.1 through 4.15 of this section
discuss each of the management measures. It is
best to plan to apply management measures
comprehensively by first evaluating pollution
problems throughout the marina and incorporating
those elements of different management mea-
sures that will most efficiently and effectively
address the specific pollution issues at the marina.
With a comprehensive approach to management
measure application, any marina can achieve or
maintain good water quality and maintain healthy
shorelines and aquatic habitats.
In addition to the management measures, BMPs
are also described. EPA has found the BMPs
described in this guidance to be representative of
the types of BMPs that can be applied success-
fully to achieve the management measures. Site-
specific or regional circumstances, however,
should be considered in the selection of BMPs for
a particular marina. Circumstances such as type
of adjacent waterbody, climate, and type of work
performed at the marina affect the design con-
straints and pollution control effectiveness of
BMPs. The list of practices for each management
measure is not all-inclusive, and marina operators
are encouraged to use other BMPs where they
would be as effective as or more effective than
those discussed in this guidance.
The management measures for marinas and
recreational boating are applicable to the facilities
and their associated shore-based services that
support recreational boats and boats for hire.
Generally, the following types of operations and
facilities would be expected to benefit by use of
See USEPA, 1996: Clean marinas—Clear Value:
Environmental and Business Success Stories.
4-2
-------
SECTION 4: Management Measures
the management measures and BMPs in this
guidance:
• Any facility that contains 10 or more slips,
piers where 10 or more boats may tie up, or
any facility where a boat for hire is docked.
• Boat maintenance or repair yards that are
adjacent to the water.
• Any federal, state, or local facility where
recreational boat maintenance or repair is
done on or near the water.
• Public or commercial boat ramps.
• Any residential or planned community marina
with 10 or more slips.
• Any mooring field where 10 or more boats
are moored.
Facilities with fewer than 10 slips, where fewer
than 10 boats are moored, or where piers have a
capacity of fewer than 10 boats might also benefit
from the management measures and BMPs
described in this guidance, and operators of such
facilities are encouraged to review the information
presented here and consider its possible applica-
tion to their situations.
Some of the management measures (e.g., marina
flushing) are more applicable to the siting and
design phase of marina construction or expansion,
while others (e.g., maintenance of sewage
facilities) concern marina operation and mainte-
nance and are more applicable to operational
marinas. Still others (e.g., storm water runoff) are
applicable to all marinas, whether in the design
phase, already operational, or in the process of
expanding.
Following the discussion of each management
measure and its associated BMPs is a table that
restates the management measure and summa-
rizes the environmental concerns that the man-
agement measure addresses, the BMPs appli-
cable to the management measure, and informa-
tion pertinent to the implementation of each BMP.
The table that follows here, Key to BMP Tables,
describes the type of content in each column in
the tables. The tables (beginning with BMP
Summary Table 1, p. 4-11) are organized as
follows:
• The first column, Best Management Practice
Examples, lists the BMPs mentioned in this
guidance that can be used to achieve the
management measure. Where appropriate,
BMPs are divided by category, either pollution
prevention or source reduction, as described
in the Key to BMP Tables.
• The second column, Marina Location &
Usage, identifies where in the marina the
BMP would usually be located and the
purpose for its use. The applicability of each
BMP is categorized as universal, general, or
recommended, as described in the Key to
BMP Tables.
• The third column, Benefits to Marina,
describes the benefits that marina owners and
operators and boat owners at the marina
could expect from using the BMP. The
magnitude of the benefits is categorized as
high, moderate, or low, as described in the
Key to BMP Tables.
• The fourth column, Projected Environmental
Benefits, describes the environmental benefits
that can be expected from using the BMP.
These are also categorized as high, moderate,
or low, as described in the Key to BMP
Tables.
• The fifth column, Initial Cost Estimate, is an
estimate of the cost of initially installing the
BMP (e.g., a structural BMP) or establishing
the practice (e.g., a recycling program) at the
marina. A cost range, as described in the Key
to BMP Tables, is provided for each BMP.
• The sixth column, Annual Operation &
Maintenance Cost Estimate, is an estimate
of the ongoing cost, if any, of using or main-
taining the BMP at a marina. The cost of
annual operation and maintenance is esti-
mated as for the initial cost estimate. See the
Key to BMP Tables.
• The last column, Notes, provides descriptions
of additional benefits or other information
pertinent to the BMP.
4-3
-------
National Management Measures Guidance
4-4
-------
SECTION 4: Management Measures
4-5
-------
National Management Measures Guidance
3
1 II
w
a
Benefits to IV
1
s a
.8 tifii
-------
SECTION 4: Management Measures
4.1. MARINA FLUSHING
Management Measure for Marina Flushing:
Site and design marinas such that tides and/or currents will aid in flushing of
the site or renew its water regularly.
Management Measure Description
Water quality in a marina basin depends largely on
how well the basin is flushed, which depends in
turn on how well water circulates within the
marina. Studies have shown that adequate
flushing improves water quality in marina basins,
reduces or eliminates water stagnation, and helps
maintain biological productivity and aesthetic
appeal. Flushing can reduce pollutant concentra-
tions in a marina basin by anywhere from 70
percent to almost 90 percent over a 24-hour
period.1
When a single number (e.g., 10 days) is given as
the flushing time or residence time of a body of
water (e.g., marina basin, harbor, or estuary), this
number represents an average and doesn't
accurately reflect what is happening inside the
marina basin. Actually, flushing time in a marina
basin can range from zero days at the boundary
with the adjacent waterbody (at points of entry
into the marina basin) to as much as several
weeks within the marina basin at secluded
locations or where in-water structures prevent
water from circulating.
In a poorly flushed marina, pollutants tend to
concentrate in the water and/or sediments.
Pollutants and debris can collect in poorly flushed
corners or secluded or protected spots in the
same way that leaves collect in depressions in
the ground where they are protected from
wind. Stagnant, polluted water—with little
biological activity, lifeless shorelines, and
offensive odors—can be the consequence.
1 Cardwell and Koons, 1981; Tetra Tech, 1988.
In tidal waters, flushing is driven primarily by
the ebb and flow of the tide. A large tidal
volume relative to the total volume of a marina
basin provides excellent flushing because each
tidal exchange replaces a large amount of the
marina basin water with "new" water from
outside the marina basin. This condition is com-
mon on coastal waters in northern New England,
the Pacific Northwest, and Alaska, where tidal
circulation should adequately flush marinas.
In nontidal coastal waters, such as the Great
Lakes, wind drives circulation in the water
adjacent to a marina. The circulating water
outside a marina basin can have a flushing effect
on water within the marina if the speed, persis-
tence, and direction of the wind create a strong
enough current. In many situations wind-driven
currents can provide adequate flushing of marina
basins.
In river waters, with current flow, water usually
moves into and out of the marina basin continu-
ously unless the basin is built into the land or has
only one small entrance channel.
The BMPs mentioned below are particularly
applicable for incorporation into a marina's design
at new and expanding marinas. Marinas with poor
water quality that could be attributed to poor
flushing might also benefit from using one or more
of the following BMPS, as appropriate. Entrance
channel design and wave protection structures
must be designed with other factors in mind as
well. Adequate protection from wave energies,
episodic storm currents, and ice floes and
shoreline erosion protection must be considered
in the overall design strategy.
4-;
-------
National Management Measures Guidance
Applicability
This management measures primarily applies to
new and expanding marinas.
Best Management Practices
4 Ensure that the bottom of the marina and
the entrance channels are not deeper than
adjacent navigable channels
''• "' ., : - ' f;
Flushing rates in marinas can be improved and-
maximized by proper design of entrance channels'
and the basin. Areas with minimal or no tides or
poor circulation should have basin and channel :
depths designed to gradually increase toward
open water to promote flushing.
Even where good flushing does occur, this alone
does not guarantee that a marina's deepest
waters will be renewed on a regular basis. As
mentioned previously, deep canals and depres-
sions much deeper than adjacent waters might not
be adequately flushed by tidal action or wind-
generated forces. Fine sediment and organic
debris will collect in them, and low dissolved
oxygen concentrations can result. In the warmer
months when dissolved oxygen concentrations are
normally low because of higher water tempera-
tures, the even lower dissolved oxygen concentra-
tions in these depressions can deteriorate water
quality and hinder biological activity in the water.
+ Consider design alternatives in poorly
flushed waterbodies to enhance flushing.
For example, consider
• An open design where a semienclosed design
is not functional.
There are situations where it may be
necessary to have areas deeper than the
rest of the marina basin. For example,
Cove Haven Marina (Rhode Island) ser-
vices large 12-meter America's Cup
sailboats with deep keels and needs
sufficiently deep water in and adjacent to
the boat haul-out facility to do so. In this
case, the state allows the marina to
maintain this site dredged deeper than the
rest of the marina (USEPA, 1996: Clean
Marinas—Clear Value).
• Floating wave attenuators where fixed
breakwaters are not functional.
When selecting a marina site and developing a
design or when reconfiguring an existing marina,
the need for efficient flushing of marina waters
should be a prime consideration.
Where a poorly flushed location is the only one
.available or where a marina is already operational
in such a location,.special arrangements may be
necessary to ensure adequate flushing. Selection
of an open marina design may be considered.
Open marina designs have no natural barriers to
restrict the exchange of water between the larger
waterbody and the marina basin. To accommo-
date both improved flushing and protection from
wave energy, floating wave attenuators can be
useful. Floating wave attenuators do not impede
flushing because water exchange is not restricted
by an underwater structure, yet the marina is
protected from limited wave action. Floating wave
attenuators can provide effective protection
where waves do not usually exceed 3 feet, and
open area designs can be a viable alternative
where they do not leave a marina exposed to
excessive wave action that could damage prop-
erty and cause shoreline erosion.
+ Design new marinas with as few enclosed
water sections or separated basins as
possible to promote circulation within the
entire basin.
Overall flushing in a marina is a function of the
number of separate basins in the marina. A
marina in open water generally flushes better than
a one-basin marina; a one-section marina, instead
of square corners, can eliminate stagnant corner
water and can help produce strong circulation in a
marina basin. A marina in open water flushes
better than a one-segment marina, a one-segment
marina generally flushes better than a two-section
marina, and so forth (Figure 4-1). Curved corners,
instead of square corners, can eliminate stagnant
corner water and can help produce strong circula-
tion within a marina basin.
+ Consider the value of entrance channels in
promoting flushing when designing or
reconfiguring a marina.
4-8
-------
SECTION 4: Management Measures
Antb&m
Water
Syrwtrfcat l-S«Qmwtt Marfca
a-Segment Marina
Figure 4-1. Example marina designs.
The alignment and number of entrance channels
may affect flushing, along with many other site-
specific factors. The following points generally
hold true and should be considered when design-
ing or reconfiguring a marina:
• Entrance channels that follow the natural
channel alignment and have only gradual
bends promote flushing.
• Where the tidal range is small, a wider
entrance may promote flushing.
• Where the tidal range is large, a single narrow
entrance channel may improve flushing.
• In tidal and nontidal waters, entrance chan-
nels aligned parallel to the direction of prevail-
ing winds or water flow might enhance
flushing.
The orientation and location of a solitary entrance
might affect marina flushing rates and should be
considered along with other factors that affect
flushing. Consider the following points:
• In a square or rectangular marina basin, a
single entrance at the center of a marina may
promote flushing better than a single corner-
located asymmetric entrance.
• In a circular marina basin, an off-center
entrance channel might promote better
circulation.
+ Establish two openings at the most appro-
priate locations within the marina to pro-
mote flow-through currents.
Where water-level fluctuations are small (e.g.,
nontidal waters), alternatives in addition to the
ones previously discussed can be considered to
ensure adequate water exchange and to increase
flushing rates. An elongated marina situated
parallel to a tidal river may be adequately flushed
by using two entrances to promote a flow-through
current. A small outlet onto an adjacent
waterbody can be opened solely to enhance
flushing (Figure 4-2). Buried pipelines have been
similarly used to promote flushing.
4 Consider mechanical aerators to improve
flushing and water quality where basin and
entrance channel configuration cannot
provide adequate flushing.
Where poor water quality throughout, a marina
basin or in secluded spots is a problem because of
poor flushing, limited circulation, or other circum-
stances, mechanical aerators (such as those used
for ice protection) might be helpful.
These devices can raise the level of dissolved
oxygen in the water and circulate floating debris
out of corners into the rest of the basin, where it
can be flushed out naturally. Underwater air
bubblers or submerged impeller-type motors can
be effective during short-term episodes that might
occur during the summer. In certain circum-
stances, such as in shallow and enclosed waters,
water clarity improvement is often noted if
artificial aeration is used.
Both compressed air and agitator
systems work in fresh water, salt water,
and brackish water. They do not work
well in ice-covered rivers because river
currents destroy bubble or flow patterns
and because of the lack of heat.
Thermal mixing of river water is a
natural process, and a river that has
formed an ice cover has already
dissipated nearly all available heat.
4-9
-------
National Management Measures Guidance
t : r;.''"
jlSr^yf'iv? , f.^i.ni^.j'os^^.rtj
Figure 4-2. Puerto Del Ray Marina (Puerto Rico) has an
offshore rubble mound breakwater that protects the
southeastern and eastern exposures of the marina. Two
hundred feet of the southern breakwater was removed,
creating a new south side breachway exit/enterance that
is still well protected but now allows for greater
circualtion in the basin. Water clarity improved after the
alteration, and as a result new customers (a 3 percent
increase for the marina) relocated to Puerto Del Rey
Marina (USEPA, 1996: Clean Marinas—Clear Value).
Ice suppression systems available for marinas
hinder ice formation by using compressed air
bubblers or in-water agitators. Bubbler systems
force air to entrain warmer bottom water into a
rising plume, which reacts with and melts the
underside of the ice sheet. Water agitators work
on the basis of thermal reserves of basin waters
and surface currents to prevent freezing.
BMP Summary Table 1 summarizes the BMPs
for Marina Flushing mentioned in this guidance.
4-10
-------
SECTION 4: Management Measures
-------
National Management Measures Guidance
4-12
-------
SECTION 4: Management Measures
4.2. WATER QUALITY ASSESSMENT
Management Measure for Water Quality Assessment:
Assess water quality as part of marina siting and design.
Management Measure Description
Water quality can be assessed as a part of new
marina development or expansion. This manage-
ment measure is useful for determining the
suitability of a location for marina development,
the best marina design for ensuring good water
quality, and the causes and sources of water
quality problems.
When planning for a new or expanded marina
site, state water quality management agencies can
be contacted for available information. A water
quality assessment consists of taking samples of
water from a waterbody; testing them for one or
more criteria, usually chemical and physical
characteristics and the presence of pathogenic
organisms; and comparing the results to accepted
standards of water quality. Historically, state
water quality assessments have focused on
testing the dissolved oxygen concentration of
water and the presence of pathogen indicators,
such as fecal coliform bacteria {Escherichia
coli) and enterococci. Other tests, such as
measurement of water temperature or Secchi disk
depth (Figure 4-3), are used as well.
The dissolved oxygen concentration in water is
used as an indicator of the general health of an
aquatic ecosystem. A good concentration of
dissolved oxygen (typically about 6 milligrams/liter
[mg/L], but "good" can vary from waterbody to
waterbody) can indicate that there's enough
oxygen for fish to breathe and aquatic plants to
photosynthesize, and there's a good exchange of
gases between the waterbody and the atmo-
sphere. A low dissolved oxygen concen-tration, or
a level below what is normal for the waterbody,
might indicate that there is too much decaying
organic matter in the water or that a film of oil or
other substance is on the surface preventing an
exchange of gases with the atmosphere, either of
which could be due to nonpoint source pollution.
Pathogenic organisms in the water indicate the
potential for public health problems. Pathogens
are contained in human and animal fecal waste,
and they can icause illness. Tests for these water
quality criteria can be used to determine the
condition of a site where a marina is proposed to
be developed.
Federal, state, and municipal agencies routinely
test the water of coastal and estuarine waters,
lakes, and reservoirs, especially if there is a lot of
recreational use of the waterbody and protection
of public health,is important. Results of the tests
can be obtained by calling the agency that does
the testing (e.g., state department of natural
resources or environmental protection).
Secchi depth is midway1
Disk raised slowly to point
'where it reappears
Disk towered slowly until it
disappears from view
Figure 4-3. The Secchi disk is a simple and useful
tool for monitoring long-term trends in water quality.
4-73
-------
National Management Measures Guidance
Applicability
This management measure primarily applies to the
design of new and expanding marinas.
Best Management Practices
Monitoring can serve many purposes, such as
determining the ambient quality of water, deter-
mining the extent or causes and sources of a
water quality problem, analyzing trends in water
quality, and measuring the effectiveness of
management practices used in the marina.
Modeling is appropriate for comparing the
effects of different options, such as predicting the
water quality that would result from different
marina designs before actual construction or the
effects of various marina designs on water
circulation in a marina basin before a planned
expansion. In areas of known good water quality,
monitoring might not be needed for small marina
developments. The BMPs described here are
useful for major developments or expansions so
that sufficient water quality measurements are
made at a site to ensure that existing conditions
are not significantly altered.
When considering monitoring water quality at a
marina, consider that results indicating a water
quality problem exists at a marina do not neces-
sarily mean that the marina is the source of the
problem. Marinas often are located where their
water quality reflects other activities in a water-
shed, lake, or river. Determining of the source of
water quality problems often involves a water-
shed-wide monitoring effort. See page 1-5 for
more information about EPA's Watershed
Approach.
+ Use water quality sampling and/or monitor-
ing to measure water quality conditions.
Water quality data for the waterbody on which a
marina is located might be available. Many states
or local agencies collect this information. A state
agency of environmental protection, a local or
regional water quality authority, a parks and
recreation department, USEPA, the U.S. Geologi-
cal Survey, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, or
a local university (such as a Sea Grant college) is
potential source of water quality data.
It will be useful to contact the state agency
responsible for water quality data at the outset of
a project to establish water quality objectives and
to determine whether water quality data are
available for the site. Comparing water quality
data from the marina to water quality data
collected by a state agency, for instance, would be
best accomplished by using the same sampling
strategy and analytical methods used by the state
agency so that a comparison of the two sets of
data will be meaningful (Figure 4-4).
4 Use a water quality modeling methodology
to predict postconstruction water quality
conditions.
Not all proposals for new or expanding marinas
will require the use of modeling techniques to
predict water quality characteristics. Numerical
modeling can be useful, however, for studying the
effects of different design alternatives and for
selecting the design that best avoids or minimizes
impacts on water quality.
Modeling techniques can be useful for predicting
flushing time and pollutant concentrations in the
absence of site-specific data. A distinct advan-
tage of numerical models over monitoring studies
is the ability to perform sensitivity analyses. For
instance, dissolved oxygen concentrations and
flushing times can be predicted for a number of
design options once data for the marina project
have been entered into the model. Modeling can
be an expensive undertaking, and the costs should
be weighed against any anticipated benefits.
A professional marina designer would be the best
person to consult regarding the feasibility and cost
EPA Region 4 completed an in-depth
report on marina water quality. The
primary focus of the study was to provide
guidance for selecting and applying
computer models for analyzing the
potential water quality impacts (both
dissolved oxygen and pathogen indica-
tors) of a marina. EPA reviewed a number
of available methods and classified them
into three categories—simple methods,
mid-range models, and complex models.
See Section 5.
4-14
-------
SECTION 4: Management Measures
Figure 4-4. Cedar Island Marina (Connecticut)
scallop monitoring. After the state of Connecticut
declined a permit for expansion on the grounds that it
would result in "destroying valuable marina life and
habitat," the marina began a program of water quality
monitoring to prove the state wrong. The marina
monitors temperature, salinity, dissolved oxygen,
habitat, coastal birds, finfish, and scallop growth.
The photo shows marina personnel checking scallop
cages suspended below the docks. The marina has
found better dissolved oxygen levels and lower fecal
coliform bacteria counts than those reported for the
town beach, and heavy metals do not accumulate in
scallops grown at the marina (USEPA, 1996: Clean
Marinas—Clear Value).
of using models. Some models applicable to
marinas are reviewed in Section 5.
4 Monitor water quality using indicators.
Water sampling, water quality monitoring, and
numerical modeling are not necessary in many
cases to gather information about the health of a
marina's waters. Simple yet effective forms of
monitoring that provide valuable information about
the conditions in the water can be done by
someone knowledgeable of the marina and the
surrounding waterbody. Visual inspections of the
abundance and appearance of aquatic plants in
and around the marina, use of the marina and
surroundings by ducks and geese, the appearance
of bottom sediments, the general clarity of the
water near docks, and the abundance of fish can
provide all the information necessary to judge the
health of the water (Figure 4-5). All of these
characteristics are indicators of the health of the
waters. These types of inspections can be done
during the course of daily operations by any
member of the marina staff at minimal cost to the
marina. (See volunteer monitoring BMP below.)
Done every year, these visual inspections lead to
a good knowledge of the "normal" conditions in
the marina and surrounding waterbody, and any
changes will be apparent to the keen observer.
When changes are noted, some limited water
sampling can be done to determine what might
account for them if a local or state environmental
management authority hasn't already done this.
+ Use rapid bioassessment techniques to
monitor water quality.
Rapid bioassessment techniques can provide a
cost-effective means to assess potential sites for
marina development and to assess water quality in
an existing marina basin. This technique is
discussed further under the Habitat Assessment
management measure.
4 Establish a volunteer monitoring program.
Marinas can help involve their clientele and local
community in water quality issues and environ-
mental protection at the marina by beginning a
volunteer monitoring program. Across the country,
private citizens are learning about water quality
issues and helping protect the Nation's water
resources by becoming volunteer monitors.
Volunteers analyze water samples for dissolved
oxygen, nutrients, pH, temperature, and a host of
other water constituents; evaluate the health of
stream habitats and aquatic biological communi-
ties; inventory streamside conditions and land uses
in a watershed that might affect water quality;
catalog and collect beach debris; and restore
degraded habitats.
EPA's Office of Water encourages citizens to
learn about their water resources and supports
volunteer monitoring because of its many benefits.
Volunteer monitors build awareness of pollution
problems, become trained in pollution prevention,
help clean up problem sites, provide data for
waters that might otherwise be unassessed, and
increase the amount of water quality information
available. Among the uses of volunteer data are
delineating and characterizing watersheds,
screening for water quality problems, and measur-
ing baseline conditions and trends.
For more information, contact EPA's Office of
Wetlands, Oceans, and Watersheds, Monitoring
Branch, or the monitoring branch of a regional
EPA or state environmental protection office.
EPA's volunteer monitoring Web site is located at
.
4-15
-------
National Management Measures Guidance
•535?
Bottom-Owtlllng
(b«nthlc)
inv*rt*bnrta«
Sediment Diatom*
(planktontc and
*urf*ca)
O
Fo»*il Diatom*
Figure 4-5. Biological assemblages used for lake monitoring.
BMP Summary Table 2 summarizes the BMPs
for Water Quality Assessment mentioned in this
guidance.
4-16
-------
SECTION 4: Management Measures
rina
R Q
c«
i|i
tin
_.H 8 °
*!.*
Ill
a r qu
i meth
t post-co
quality c
"^ -£2
ual
help track
elp identify
roblems bef
e large
I *1
Nil.
i 11J1
Q &t'^ tg J3
i ^ i 11
a 1..! « g
aq
Monitor water
using indicator
• - •§ -a
MODERATE; ca
indicate water qua
problems that mig
tested for in a
h'ty samplin
qu
w
4-17
-------
National Management Measures Guidance
2 ° •
H "s
I*
£
i
a
1
u
•a
•a
=
Projected
tvironmental
Benefits
a
w
•** IS
-S3 c
f •£
R
.
08
1
O fcj
^
I
1
4J W
il
ei a
5 *
1£ "
M a«
O 4_,
1| ^ ^|
•O ftj J(C «O RJ O
Hi IS if*
1
to
I-8
.H g 3
|| 12
^ ^ a ?•»
1 a 2 «
y <"1, O M
i-l o'lS 0
K 3 | g
a § I g. |
3 § 1 •§ §
2 Ǥ*!!!
3 g § 8 .§ 1
i-ia i 1 1
2 > -3 .s u a
e
•a "o -3
§ a .5 M
^" I 1 « '§
^ >3 cs w Q
illll.ll
i >>
^ 'S
111
a P S
III
^
I |
• D.
i •§
I _o
4-7S
-------
SECTION 4: Management Measures
4.3. HABITAT ASSESSMENT
Management Measure for Habitat Assessment:
Site and design marinas to protect against adverse effects on shellfish re-
sources, wetlands, submerged aquatic vegetation, or other important riparian
and aquatic habitat areas as designed by local, state, or federal governments.
Management Measure Description
The construction of a marina in any waterbody
can disrupt aquatic habitats. This management
measure is important because of the value of
protecting natural habitats so they continue to
provide food and recreational opportunities for
people, as well as food and shelter for plants and
animals, and so their roles in the ecological health
of waterbodies are protected. Past waterfront
development has adversely affected many
waterbodies, but our knowledge of ecology has
increased. We now realize the importance of
healthy aquatic habitats to both our health and the
overall health of our waterbodies. Efforts to
decrease the introduction of invasive and exotic
species have increased, and minimizing pollution in
waterbodies is widely accepted as a sound
ecological and economic practice. In many cases,
federal and state laws require analyses of the
potential impacts on the natural environment
before projects begin. This management measure
focuses on marina siting and design and extends
to assessments of how marinas can incorporate
natural habitats into their siting and design.
When well designed and cared for, marinas can
be a valuable habitat for plants and animals that
are adapted to quiet, sheltered waters. Regardless
of the type of waterbody on which a marina is to
be constructed, siting it where its development or
operation will diminish the biological or economic
value of the surrounding habitats should be very
carefully considered, especially if the potential site
is near locations that have been given special
designations by local, state, or federal govern-
ments. Such habitats might be fish spawning
areas, shellfish harvesting areas, designated
wetlands, beds of submerged aquatic vegetation
(SAV), or areas where threatened or endangered
species are known to occur. If a marina is
properly designed and located, aquatic plants and
animals should be able to continue to use the
marina waters for the same activities (e.g.,
reproduction or feeding) that occurred in the
waters before the marina's presence.
Marinas that have been operating for a while can
provide sheltered, quiet waters for plants and
animals that prefer this type of environment or for
animals that need this type of environment during
specific life stages, such as spawning. Where the
surrounding environment has been developed and
offers little in the way of natural habitat, such as
in an urbanized waterfront district, a marina might
provide a refuge for many species. A pollution
prevention and control program, based on the
management measures presented in this guidance,
can help maintain or improve water and habitat
quality for aquatic species.
j
The locations of all important aquatic and riparian
habitats in a locality or waterbody might not be
known. A visual survey by a biologist may be
appropriate before any marina construction or
expansion begins, and a specialist in aquatic
habitat restoration can be contacted if marina
management is considering modifying the marina
to create good aquatic habitat in the marina basin.
Geographic information systems (GIS) are being
used increasingly to map biological resources in
many states and show promise as a method of
conveying important habitat and other siting inform-
ation to marina developers and environmental
4-19
-------
National Management Measures Guidance
protection agencies. The state department of
environmental protection or natural resources can
be contacted for this type of information.
Applicability
This management measure is applicable to new
and expanding marinas where site changes might
affect wetlands, shellfish beds, aquatic vegetation,
or other important aquatic resources or habitats.
Best Management Practices
+ Conduct habitat surveys and characterize
the marina site, including identifying any
exotic or invasive species.
The first step in constructing a marina that will be
compatible with the surrounding natural environ-
ment or expanding or modifying an existing
marina to create a more natural environment is to
characterize the environment of the proposed site
or operational marina. Before marina develop-
ment or expansion, critical or unique habitats, such
as beds of submerged vegetation and shellfish
beds, should be identified. The importance of the
area that will be affected by development to
aquatic organisms for spawning, feeding, or their
overall survival should be assessed within the
context of the entire waterbody (Figure 4-6).
Equally as important, exotic plants and animals
that could be problematic for marina operation
should be identified. Table 4-1 lists some common
exotic and invasive aquatic species in the United
States. Once the site has been characterized,
marina development or expansion can proceed in
a way that minimizes adverse effects on aquatic
life and habitats.
41 Assess habitat function (e.g., spawning
area, nursery area, feeding area) to mini-
mize indirect effects.
An area proposed for marina development or
expansion could be used seasonally by fish or
other animals. Animals use special areas of
many coves, shorelines, beds of submerged
vegetation, rivers, streams, and estuaries for
short periods of time—from a few nights to
weeks—for particular life functions such as
migration, spawning, and rearing young. Mari-
nas can accommodate these special, short-term
4-20 "
Figure 4-6. Habitat assessment was used at Elliot
Bay Marina (Washington) to design the mariria to
work with natural habitat function. Wide openings
between rock groin-type breakwaters, docks, and
beach give easy access to migrating juvenile
salmon leaving Puget Sound, while providing good
water circulation and tidal changes inside the
marina basin. A man-made 1,500-foot-long sandy
beach has replaced lost habitat, providing a
feeding ground for young salmon. Schools of
young salmon and herring move throughout the
marina basin (USEPA, 1996: Clean Marinas-
Clear Value).
uses if marina designers and managers are
aware of the need for the areas and the marina is
built with the needs in mind.
4 Use rapid bioassessment techniques to
assess effects on biological resources.
Rapid bioassessment techniques, where they have
been developed, provide cost-effective biological
assessments of potential marina development
sites. Rapid bioassessment uses biological criteria
(usually invertebrate and fish populations) as
indicators of the condition of a habitat. To apply
rapid bioassessment to a marina development site
or an operating marina, select biological communi-
ties at the proposed site or the operational marina
are compared to the same biological communities
at an undisturbed site in the same waterbody or a
similar one. The biological health of the proposed
site or marina basin is rated based on how
favorably the invertebrate or fish communities
there compare with those of the undisturbed site.
Scores from rapid bioassessments are useful for
determining whether a site is stressed by pollution
or other factors, such as habitat alteration. Rapid
bioassessment protocols for macroinvertebrates
and fish in freshwater streams and rivers are
being developed by many states, and a document
on them is available from EPA at the web address
-------
SECTION 4: Management Measures
-------
National Management Measures Guidance
.
+ Redevelop waterfront sites that have been
previously disturbed and expand existing
marinas.
Waterfront areas that have been previously used
for industrial or military purposes might make
good locations for new marinas because they
have been developed before, usually have all the
necessary infrastructure, and minimize distur-
bances to aquatic habitats. Many sites suitable for
recreational boating facilities may be located in
existing urban harbors where shorelines have
been modified by bulkheading and filling. The
adverse environmental consequences of redevel-
opment are usually minimal, and redevelopment
can improve water quality, expand upland habitats,
beautify and expand shorelines, and provide
additional public access.
Waterfronts that are converted from water-
dependent uses, such as marinas and recreational
boating, to non-water-dependent uses, such as
residences, office space, and shopping areas,
reduce the availability of sites for marina develop-
ment. To protect against such conversion in areas
that contain important habitat, a state may pur-
chase the property or the development rights from
existing water-dependent uses. To preserve an
existing marina, for example, a state government
could pay the difference between the market
value for other non-water-dependent develop-
ment, such as for condominiums, and the water-
dependent value of the marina to the marina
owner, and receive in return a guarantee that the
site would not be converted to a non-water-
The Hammond Marina (Indiana) was
built on a derelict brownfield industrial
site with a steel mill slag shoreline. The
area is now a pleasant and protected
boating facility with an attractive public
access area, and it is popular as a
sportfishing site. The local economy
has benefitted from the redevelopment,
and shorelines, upland habitats, and
aquatic habitat at the site have been
tremendously improved (USEPA, 1996:
Clean Marinas —Clear Value).
dependent use. States can use this method to
retain sites suitable for marinas, maintain access
for boating uses of the waterways, prevent
conversion to other uses, and reduce the base
value for property taxes.
4 Consider alternative sites where adverse
environmental effects will be minimized or
positive effects will be maximized.
An analysis of alternative sites (sites other than
the one proposed) can be used to demonstrate
which site is the most economically and environ-
mentally suitable. Analysis of alternative sites and
designs has been effectively used to reduce the
effects of development (including effects on
tidelands, stream courses, shorelines, wetlands,
and submerged aquatic vegetation) at many
proposed marinas, and to find sites with flushing
characteristics better than those at the sites
initially proposed.
Many marinas built on freshwater lakes and rivers
over the past two decades are located on what
are known as brownfields, or shoreland that had
been modified and seriously abused by previous
industrial facilities. Usually, these areas support
little to no natural vegetation or habitats when
they are first converted to marinas. The marinas
have turned these areas into recreational sites and
public access points and have provided sheltered
areas with protected shorelines, where natural
vegetation has been able to reestablish itself.
4 Create new habitats or expand habitats in
the marina basin.
Almost any surface placed in coastal or inland
waters, and especially rough surfaces—including
rocks, piles, piers, and floats—quickly becomes
home to a host of plants, animals, and bacteria.
The submerged parts of breakwaters, piers, and
floating docks are excellent examples of this kind
of "created" habitat. The plants that colonize
these surfaces provide refuge for a variety of
invertebrates and are a good source of food for
juvenile fish, which in turn can attract sport fish
(Figure 4-7).
+ Minimize disturbance of riparian areas.
Riparian areas are the narrow areas along the
banks of rivers, streams, lakes, ponds, reservoirs,
-------
SECTION 4: Management Measures
WELCOME TO THE
OAK
HARBOR
MARINA
•*». J
AN AQUATIC RESOURCE
, DEDICATEDJO , »
THEPRESEBV&TION
~v OF OUR MARINE ^ >
' /HERITAGE TH^pOGHr"-
rJ-E AN BOATING']
Figure 4-7. Oak Harbor Marina sign. Oak Harbor
Marina (Washington) has used its marina waters to
raise salmon for release. Volunteers built salmon
pens, and more than 420,000 salmon have been
released as a result of the program. Deep River
Marina (Connecticut) was the site for a 3-year
federal/state stocking program for Atlantic salmon.
The Puerto Rico Department of Natural Resources'
Fisheries Office is located in Puerto del Rey Marina
(Puerto Rico) and uses part of the facility's clean
waters for an injured sea turtle rescue and recovery
program (USEPA, 1996; Clean Marinas-Clear
Value).
and wetlands. They may be vegetated, or may be
beaches or rocky areas. Vegetated riparian areas
extract nutrients from runoff from the land as it
moves toward the waterbody and from the water
that constantly circulates along the banks of the
waterbody. The nutrients make them very produc-
tive habitats, with biodiversity and biomass
typically higher than those of adjacent uplands.
Many processes important to the health of
waterbodies occur in vegetated riparian areas,
including the following:
• Large quantities of nutrients are absorbed as
waters pass through riparian areas.
• Eroded soils and other pollutants are filtered
out of the water and absorbed by riparian
vegetation.
• Nutrients are modified from forms that can't
be used by aquatic organisms to forms they
can readily use.
• The vegetation in riparian areas serves as a
refuge for species for nesting, hiding from
predators, and foraging.
Beaches and rocky shorelines also provide habitat
variety and are important to many aquatic organ-
isms. Because of the importance of all types of
riparian areas to the general health of
waterbodies, minimizing disturbances to them
during marina development can be beneficial.
Creating favorable conditions for the presence of
riparian or wetland areas within a marina basin
might be an effective, low-cost way to improve
water quality in the basin or increase habitat
diversity in the basin, depending on site conditions
and space limitations.
+ Use dry stack storage.
An alternative to building new docks for expand-
ing boating access and marina capacity is to build
dry stack storage facilities, in which many boats
are stored on vertical stands on very little land.
Boats stored in dry stack storage do not leak
antifoulants to the water and can be more easily
maintained on land in protected hull maintenance
areas, providing less opportunity for spillage
directly to surface waters. Dry stack storage has
minimal environmental effects, and where zoning
restrictions permit it, it is an appropriate means to
increase public access to waterways.
BMP Summary Table 3 summarizes the BMPs for
Habitat Assessment mentioned in this guidance.
4-23
-------
National Management Measures Guidance
-------
SECTION 4: Management Measures
to is applicable
ow draft and low-height
se
vista
rag
an
of l
s than
feet LOA;
g cha
ict with sceni
rease and
hallo
ower
ppro
xi
req
confl
p
e
m
m
iss
i
.5
1
£
I*
I s
« :B
S 2
« £
1
i
4-25
-------
National Management Measures Guidance
4-26
-------
SECTION 4: Management Measures
4.4. SHORELINE AND STREAMBANK STABILIZATION
Management Measure for Shoreline and Streambank Stabilization:
Where shoreline or streambank erosion is a nonpoint source pollution prob-
lem, shorelines and streambanks should be stabilized. Vegetative methods
are strongly preferred unless strectural methods are more cost-effective,
considering the severity of wave and wind erosion, offshore bathymetry, and
the potential adverse impact on other shorelines, streambanks, and off shore
areas.
Protect shorelines and streambanks from erosion due to uses of either the
shorelands ar adjacent surface waters.
Management Measure Description
Streambank erosion is used in this guidance to
refer to erosion along nontidal streams and rivers.
Shoreline erosion is used here to refer to erosion
in tidal portions of coastal bays and estuaries.
Erosion is a natural process that results from
water acting on streambanks and shorelines.
Erosion along a river or stream removes material
from one area and deposits it elsewhere, and
beaches are constantly and naturally eroded and
resupplied with sediment from other areas.
Streambank and shoreline stabilization may be
needed where natural erosion is occurring to
protect shoreline structures.
Induced erosion often occurs where soil,
streambanks, or shorelines have been disturbed.
Removing vegetation from any streambank or
shoreline exposes soil to the erosive energy of
waves and currents. Altering a watercourse (for
instance, by installing a breakwater or a dam) or
artificially affecting the course of water (perhaps
by channelizing a river) can cause erosion because
the manner in which energy is transmitted through
a waterbody can be affected. In the latter case,
erosion sometimes occurs far from the location of
the channelization. Properly designed erosion
control measures and structures can reduce natural
as well as induced erosion.
In a marina, structural elements are often neces-
sary to protect boats and the marina perimeter
from waves or water current energy. Hence, the
marina basin is often a fairly calm, nonerosive
environment. Erosion can still occur along the
perimeter, however, and wave energy reflected
off a structure, such as an improperly designed
breakwater, or from boat wakes may be a
contributing factor. Bank erosion may result
where it is desirable to hold a given slope. Scour
along the bottom of a structure such as a break-
water or at the abrupt junction of two unlike
materials, such as river bottom sediments and a
cement boat ramp, can also be a problem. Bank
erosion and scour can result in sediment filling
in a marina basin (and the need for maintenance
dredging) or erosion at the edges of a boat ramp.
Minimizing shoreline erosion can protect marina
shorelines and can reduce the need for or fre-
quency of maintenance dredging. Less frequent
dredging also reduces the need for proper and
potentially costly disposal of dredged material.
A vegetated shoreline can minimize the transmis-
sion of wave energy to other locations. Vegetation
is also a relatively low-cost means to stabilize a
shoreline, and it can add a natural, attractive
element to an otherwise engineered environment.
Used by itself, vegetation is most effective where
waves or currents are low in energy and the soil
4-27
-------
National Management Measures Guidance
is stable enough for plant growth. Another site
factor conducive to vegetative stabilization is
shallow sloped banks. Where wave or current
energy is too strong for vegetation to gain a
foothold, temporary structures can be used to
protect vegetation until it can establish itself, or
permanent structures might be necessary.
Permanent streambank or shoreline protection
structures could be needed where wave or
current energy is too great for establishing and
maintaining vegetation. Some structural methods
to stabilize shorelines and navigation channels are
gabions, riprap, sloping revetments, bulkheads,
jetties, and breakwaters. The first three dissipate
incoming wave energy more effectively than the
rest and usually result in less scouring than the
last three. Bulkheads are appropriate in some
circumstances where other preferred alternatives
are not feasible. Vegetation can often be added at
the edges of these structural elements to control
erosion from storm water runoff and to serve as a
landscaping element.
The type of perimeter stabilization might be
dictated in both inland and coastal marinas by
local variations in water level due to dam
drawdown in a reservoir, natural fluctuation in a
lake, or tides along the coast. In some of these
instances, shoreline stabilization might not be
practical. Because rivers are hydrographically
Herrington Harbour Marina South
(Maryland) retained and enhanced much of
the natural shoreline during a recent
rebuilding, modernization, and expansion
program. An old, failing bulkhead was
removed, and rock riprap and filter cloth
were placed on the regraded shoreline.
Native shore species were planted along
the shore, and nearby wetlands were
cleaned and restored to native marsh
grasses. Over a few years, the shoreline
vegetation filled in and created a very
attractive and effective buffer that helps
control erosion and storm water runoff.
Wildlife diversity also increased in the
surrounding shoreline area, including
several blue herons that have taken up
year-round residence.
complex and many factors need to be taken into
account when determining how to correct erosive
problems, shoreline stabilization might not be
sufficient to eliminate an erosion problem.
Streambank and river restoration projects, of
which erosion is usually only a small part, can
encompass anywhere from a small section of a
river or stream to the entire watershed.
Some specialized locations along the banks of
rivers, reservoirs, and lakes, however, may be
ideal candidates for shoreline stabilization. Such
locations may be severely eroded soils around a
storm sewer discharge point, disturbed soils
where a boat ramp has been installed or is in need
of maintenance, or overused shoreline areas in or
next to established recreational areas.
Examples of vegetative and structural methods
are presented below. Before selecting any of
them for a particular erosion problem, it is impor-
tant to identify the cause of the erosion, which,
especially in rivers and coastal environments,
could be extremely complex. Selecting the
appropriate technique to remedy an erosion
problem might require analysis by a professional.
Applicability
This management measure is applicable to new
and expanding marinas where site changes might
result in shoreline erosion.
Best Management Practices
+ Use vegetative plantings, wetlands,
beaches, and natural shorelines where
space allows.
Vegetative plantings, wetland enhancements,
beaches, and preservation of natural shorelines,
where feasible, can be the most effective means
of shoreline stabilization. Plantings can be in the
form of a grassed buffer strip that serves the
triple purpose of shoreline stabilization, establish-
ing a visually aesthetic area, and controlling
polluted runoff. If natural wetlands are found or
were present within the boundaries of a marina
before its development, their preservation or
re-creation can protect shorelines, dissipate low
wave energy, provide wildlife habitat, and filter
pollutants out of the water and storm water
4-28
-------
SECTION 4: Management Measures
runoff. A sloping beach is the best surface for
attenuating wave action, though such beaches can
occupy more space than other perimeter stabilization
methods.
Establishing a "no wake zone" in nearshore,
shallow aquatic areas can also be effective to
reduce impacts from boat wave energy.
4 Where shorelines need structural stabiliza-
tion and where space and use allow, riprap
revetment is preferable to a solid vertical
bulkhead.
In some cases, primarily because of space
limitations or elevation differences between the
land and water surface, steep slopes are neces-
sary within marinas. Riprap is a common and
economical revetment that can withstand substan-
tial wave energy. Its irregular surface also
reduces wave energy transmission better than a
solid vertical bulkhead does. Natural rock is the
best material. Concrete rubble can be used, but its
many flat surfaces transmit more wave energy
than do irregular natural rocks. Gabions (rock in
heavy-duty wire mesh baskets) can be used
where a slope steeper than that which can be
obtained with riprap is needed. Gabions function
best where waves do not exceed 12 inches. The
irregular surface of riprap revetment can provide
habitat for shore and nearshore plants and
animals.
+ Where reflected waves will not endanger
shorelines or habitats and where space is
limited, protect shorelines with structural
features such as vertical bulkheads.
Vertical bulkheads reflect waves and are not a
good choice for shoreline stabilization where
waves or surges occur in the marina basin and
are not mitigated in the stabilization design. They
are usually more costly to install than other forms
of shoreline protection but might be necessary
where boats are hauled and launched, where the
marina cannot be moved farther into the water,
and where valuable real estate needs protection.
They can be constructed of concrete, treated
timbers, steel, aluminum, or vinyl. Vertical bulk-
heads can be combined with riprap by placing the
former at the upper portion of a bank and riprap
along the lower edge. Scour protection at the toe
of the bulkhead should be incorporated into the
structural design.
4 At boat ramps, retain natural shoreline
features to the extent feasible and protect
disturbed areas from erosion.
Near boat ramps, shorelines can be damaged
during ramp construction. Shorelines are also
susceptible to erosion from runoff that is chan-
neled alongside the ramp (especially if the site has
been sloped for the ramp), boat wakes, waves,
and currents after initial installation. During boat
ramp construction, therefore, retention of natural
shoreline features to the extent possible generally
saves maintenance or corrective costs later.
Natural-appearing shorelines are also aesthetically
appealing, and they can minimize the likelihood of
invasion by unwanted or exotic plant species later.
BMP Summary Table 4 summarizes the BMPs
for Shoreline Stabilization mentioned in this
guidance.
4-29
-------
National Management Measures Guidance
4-30
-------
SECTION 4: Management Measures
4.5. STORM WATER RUNOFF MANAGEMENT
Management Measure for Storm Water Runoff:
Implement effective runoff control strategies that include the use of pollution
prevention activities and the proper design of hull maintenance areas.
Reduce the average annual loadings of total suspended solids (TSS) in runoff
from hull maintenance areas by 80 percent. For the purposes of this measure,
an 80 percent reduction of TSS is to be determined on an average annual
basis.
Management Measure Description
Any debris that is on the ground and light enough
to be swept away by flowing rainwater or snow-
melt can end up in lakes, reservoirs, ponds, rivers,
streams, canals, bays, estuaries, or oceans.
Sanding dust, paint dust and chips, copper and
other heavy metals, and other such solids that are
carelessly or inadvertently allowed to drop to the
ground while maintaining or repairing a boat by
sanding, pressure washing, or other abrasive
methods can be swept up by the runoff of the
next rainstorm. Oils, grease, solvents, paint
drippings, and fuel spilled or dripped onto the
ground can also be carried away in the runoff.
Unless the runoff is controlled or treated in some
manner, all of these pollutants end up in the
marina basin, where they create unsightly surface
films or float until they adhere to surfaces like
boat hulls or docks. Some of these pollutants flow
dissolved in runoff or attached to soil carried by
the runoff. When they reach the marina basin,
they sink with the soil to the bottom, are eaten by
bottom-feeding fish or by filter-feeding shellfish,
or settle onto the leaves of aquatic vegetation and
clog their pores. Storm water that is treated in
some way to remove these pollutants before they
can reach the marina basin does not result in
these problems.
The National Pollutant Discharge Elimination
System (NPDES) was established to control
pollutant discharges to the nation's waters,
including those from storm water runoff. The
1987 amendments to the Clean Water Act
mandated EPA to develop a tiered implementation
strategy for the NPDES Storm Water Program.
In response to the 1987 Amendments, EPA
developed Phase I of the NPDES Storm Water
Program in 1990. Phase I requires NPDES
permits for storm water discharges from
• "Medium" and "large" municipal separate
storm sewer systems (MS4s) that serve or
are located in incorporated places or counties
with populations of 100,000 or more people.
• Eleven categories of industrial activity, one of
which is construction activity that disturbs 5
acres or more of land.
The 11 categories of industrial activities for which
storm water discharge permits are required are
defined at 40 CFR 122.26(b)(14). A permit is
required for Standard Industrial Classification
(SIC) codes 4493 (marinas) and 3732 (boatyards
and boat builders that repair, clean, and/or fuel
boats). Note that the North American Industry
Classification System (NAICS) is replacing the
U.S. SIC system and is scheduled to be com-
pleted by 2002. NAICS was developed jointly by
the United States, Canada, and Mexico to provide
new comparability in statistics about business
activity across North America. NAICS numbers
corresponding to the previous SIC numbers are
provided in Table 4-2.
4-31
-------
National Management Measures Guidance
Table 4-2. Conversion of SIC to NAICS.
SIC
3732
NAICS
Boat Building and Repairing
Boat Repair
Boat Building
4493
Marinas
81149
336612
71394
Other Personal and Household Goods
Repair and Maintenance (part)
Boat Building
Marinas '-.'•". , , •
The second phase, known as Storm Water Phase
II, was signed by EPA in October 1999 and
published in the Federal Register on December
8,1999. The Phase H Rule will bring many
municipal separate storm sewer systems serving
fewer than 100,000 people, census districts in
counties with population densities greater than
1,000 per square mile, and small construction sites
of between 1 and 5 acres into the NPDES
permitting program by March 2003. Construction
sites where more than 1 acre is disturbed will
need to obtain a permit and implement BMPs to
minimize erosion and pollutant runoff. The rule
exempts from regulation facilities that have
industrial materials or activities that are not
exposed to rain or snow. The Storm Water Rule
and further information on Phases I and II of the
Storm Water Program can be obtained from
EPA's web site for the point source permitting
program: http://cfpubl.epa.gov/npdes.
Removal of TSS at the 80 percent level is practi-
cable, and the management practices mentioned
here, or combinations of them, can achieve this
degree of pollutant removal if they are designed
properly and the site is suitable for their installation
and use. The 80 percent level also provides a high
degree of protection for surface waters. Used
properly, pollutant removal management practices
can also reduce final TSS concentrations in runoff
very effectively. Table 4-3 reviews the pollutant
removal efficiencies of many storm water control
practices. Tables in Appendix F compare the
advantages and disadvantages of many storm
water control practices and their costs.
The 80 percent removal of TSS is recommended
for hull and engine maintenance areas, the runoff
from which often contains higher levels of toxic
pollutants than runoff from other parts of a marina
property. Pollutants in runoff from the remaining
marina property should be considered when
designing an effective runoff pollution prevention
system. If sufficient land area is not available
on-site to install runoff systems, management
practices that increase vegetative cover, reduce
impervious surfaces, and include infiltration
devices are practical solutions.
The principal pollutants in runoff from marina
parking areas and hull maintenance areas are
suspended solids (paint chips, sanding dust, and
the like.) and organics (predominately oil and
grease). Toxic metals (in antifoulant paints) from
boat hull scraping and sanding tend to attach
themselves to suspended soil particles and are
carried to the marina basin with the particles.
Designing and operating a hull maintenance work
area with a focus on pollution prevention is an
excellent way to prevent dangerous pollutants
from reaching the marina basin. Particularly
effective practices are designating a specified
area that has an impervious surface (cement, for
example) for hull maintenance work; doing all hull
maintenance work under a roof to prevent the
area from getting wet; and channeling and
draining runoff from other areas of the marina
property away from hull maintenance areas so it
won't pick up the pollutants associated with hull
maintenance. Devices with controls that collect
pollutants as they are produced, such as vacuum-
based (or dustless) sanders, are also effective for
preventing pollutants from entering runoff.
Pollutants can also be trapped, collected, or
filtered after they are on the ground but before it
rains. This can be accomplished by using street
4-32
-------
SECTION 4: Management Measures
Table 4-3. Effectiveness of management practices for runoff control (adapted from Caraco and Winer, 2000).
Runoff Treatment or
Control Practice
Category or Type
Quality Control Pond
Dry Extended Detention
Pond
i§iytP-onds -" _!' > - 51 *
Wet Extended Detention
Pond
Multiple Pond System
Wet Pond
'Wet Ponds „ ^ <*-
Shallow Marsh
Extended Detention
Wetland
Pond/Wetland System
Submerged Gravel
Wetland
,-Wetlandsr £?* ', W
Organic Filter
Perimeter Sand Filter
Surface Sand Filter
Vertical Sand Filter
Bioretention
1 Filtering Practices" VX
Infiltration Trench
Porous Pavement
Ditches"
Grass Channel
Dry Swale
Wet Swale
Open'CffarmebPractJcesN
Oil-Grit Separator
Median Pollutant Removal (Percent)
No. of
Studies
3
6
\& *
14
1
28
"43, "
20
4
10
2
"36 , .
7
3
7
2
1
V 18
3
3
9
3
4
2
C* s j*
^ y / — ^
1
TSS
3
61
s .47<'
80
91
79
* 80
83
69
71
83
J76' _
88
79
87
58
N/A
""186,
100
95
31
68
93
74
"8i ;.
-8
TP
19
20
- 19' :\
55
76
49
-"*51 '*&
43
39
56
64
-- 49 -
61
41
59
45
65
; 59\
42
65
-16
29
83
28
34 -
-41
OP
N/A
N/A
- N/A :
69
N/A
39
• 65 .
66
59
37
14
- 48 ,
30
68
N/A
21
N/A
5T
100
10
N/A
32
70
-31
< 1.0-
40
TN
5
31
" 25->
. 35
N/A
32
,-";x33
26
56
19
19
30
41
47
31.5
15
49
38^ *-
42
83
-9
N/A
92
40
.<* #^
N/A
NOx
9
-2
,-"3.5 '<
63
87
36
^43/
73
35
40
81
67""
-15
-53
-13
-87
16
,' -14 "-
82
N/A
24
-25
90
31
" 31 ^
47
Cu
10
29
;"26
44,,
N/A
58
- -.57 -'-
33
N/A
58
21
o ^-40;
66
25
49
32
97
' 49" 5
N/A
N/A
14
42
70
11
4o'"51
-11
Zn
5
29
-^26 -,*'
69
N/A
65
-Ws66 ,
42
-74
56
55
*&*>*
89
69
80
56
95
8"^8 :"
N/A
99
0
45
86
33
"71
17
Shaded rows show data for groups of practices (e.g., dry ponds includes quality control ponds and dry extended detention
ponds).
Numbers in italics are based on fewer than five data points.
° Excludes vertical sand filters
b Refers to open channel practices not designed for water quality.
TSS = total suspended solids, TP = total phosphorus, OP = ortho-phosphorus, TN = total nitrogen, NOx = nitrate and nitrite
nitrogen, Cu = copper, Zn = zinc.
4-33
-------
National Management Measures Guidance
sweepers and vacuums that collect debris from
the ground, placing tarps under boats while they
are being sanded or painted, and planting grass
buffers around hull maintenance areas, parking
lots, sidewalks, and other impervious surfaces
where pollutants tend to accumulate. Grass
buffers effectively filter runoff water before it
reaches surface waters, and they are attractive
landscape elements.
Covering areas that are not used for boat mainte-
nance with a porous surface allows rainwater to
filter into the ground and reduces the amount of
runoff created on the marina property. Crushed
gravel or concrete and low grassy areas inter-
spersed around and within otherwise impervious
areas (parking lots, for example) are surfaces that
allow rainwater to infiltrate into the ground.
Directing storm water to a grassed area instead
of to drains, pipes, or cement channels is an
effective way to prevent the pollutants in runoff
from reaching the marina basin, regardless of
whether the runoff originates from parking lots,
hull maintenance areas, rooftops, or any other
impervious surface.
Some marinas might need to pretreat storm water
runoff before it is discharged to a local sewer
system. Pretreating wastewater from hull clean-
ing (pressure washing) might also be needed. The
state or local environmental agency should be
contacted to determine any specific legal require-
ments for treatment before discharge.
The goal of 80 percent reduction in the load of
total suspended solids (TSS) in storm water runoff
recommended in this management measure is
achieved by eliminating (by pollution prevention or
source reduction) 80 percent of the total annual
load of suspended materials produced in an
average year of work. Most marinas use some
management practices and are already collecting
some or all of this 80 percent. Note that 80 percent
of the TSS load cannot usually be eliminated during
each storm because the efficiency of any means
chosen to remove pollutants from storm water
fluctuates above and below 80 percent for
individual storms. The goal of the management
measure is to control an average of 80 percent of
the amount of TSS produced at a marina during
any given year. Because no two marinas are the
4-34 ~
same, the storm water control management
practices used to achieve this goal have to be
chosen site-specifically for each marina.
The annual TSS load baseline can be calculated
as follows:
• Assume that marina operations are being
conducted as usual, except that no manage-
ment practices are used to collect pollutants
from hull maintenance areas. All of the
sanding dust, paint chips, and so forth pro-
duced fall to the ground.
• Given this scenario, add together the total
amount of solid pollutants, such as paint chips
and sanding dust, that would be swept away
in runoff during storms that occur over a
1-year period and that are less than or equal
to the 2-year/24-hour storm for the area.
Solids carried away in snowmelt runoff should
also be included.
• Multiply this quantity by 80 percent (0.80) to
obtain the target minimum quantity of solid
pollutants to be removed from storm water
runoff and prevented from reaching the
marina basin or storm drain.
This calculation can be complicated, primarily
because of the difficulty in measuring the quantity
of pollutants produced at a marina. The state or
local environmental agency can be contacted for
additional storm water guidance and for informa-
tion pertaining to storm water regulations.
Applicability
This management measure is applicable to new
and expanding marinas and to existing marinas at
a minimum at hull maintenance areas.
Best Management Practices
+ Perform as much boat repair and
maintenance work as possible inside work
buildings.
Sandblasting is best performed in a place where
the debris produced is prevented from drifting to
surrounding areas and being swept away in storm
water runoff. One of the simplest and most
effective ways to prevent pollutants from boat
repairs from entering storm water runoff is to
-------
SECTION 4: Management Measures
perform as much work as possible under roofs or
in enclosures. Performing maintenance work in a
fully enclosed building protects the work area
from wind and contains the dust and debris
produced during the work so it is much easier to
clean up afterward.
+ Where an inside work space is not avail-
able, perform abrasive blasting and sand-
ing within spray booths or tarp enclosures.
The inside of a building provides the most pro-
tected space, but if a large enough interior space
is not available, a suitably sized area can be
protected with tarps or temporary plastic buildings
can be used. Tarps help prevent residue from
drifting to nonwork areas of the marina and into
surface waters. Scheduling work on calm days
helps ensure that wind won't carry debris and
pollutants to other areas of the marina property
and the marina basin.
4 Where buildings or enclosed areas are not
available, provide clearly designated land
areas for boat repair and maintenance.
If a facility is large enough, one or more sections
of the yard, ideally located well away from the
shore, can be designated for boat repairs and
maintenance (Figure 4-8). Mark the area well
with signs, post a list of boat owner responsibili-
ties, indicate the rules for use of the work area,
and do not permit work outside the designated
areas. Areas where abrasive work will be
performed should be protected from wind and
enclosed if possible. This practice should help the
marina property stay relatively clean. Where
possible, inland areas, away from surface waters,
should be used for boat repair work.
4 Design hull maintenance areas to minimize
contaminated runoff.
Hull maintenance areas can be located indoors or
outdoors, and activities that produce a large
amount of polluting debris can be conducted over
a dry, impervious surface like a cement pad.
Other portable, temporary ground covers like
tarps can also be effective. Such a surface makes
it easy to collect and properly dispose of debris,
residues, solvents, and spills before they enter
storm water runoff.
Figure 4-8. Conanicut Marine Service (Rhode Island)
found that purchasing land almost a mile from the
shore and using a hydraulic boat trailer was
significantly less expensive than purchasing
waterfront property, and doing so allowed expansion
of its service work to an inland boatyard. No coastal
permits were needed for the inland yard, and the risk
of water pollution from runoff from the yard was
significantly reduced (USEPA, 1996: Clean Marinas-
Clear Value).
4 Use vacuum sanders both to remove paint
from hulls and to collect paint dust and
chips.
Vacuum sanders have proven very effective at
capturing paint dust and chips during boat hull and
bottom sanding. Immediate capture prevents paint
dust and chips from entering the marina basin,
makes cleaning up the work area easier. It also
increases the speed at which a boat bottom can
be completely sanded.
Such sanders capture up to 98 percent of the dust
generated. Workers do not have to wear full suits
with respirators. They use fewer disk pads and
have less cleanup to perform in surrounding
areas. Vacuum-based sanders are increasingly
being used in boatyards and marinas, and they
might be available for rental by boat owners who
want to sand their own hulls. Many marinas have
converted to dustless sanders and require that
they be used by customers and outside contrac-
tors. In addition to preventing pollution, using
vacuum sanders can dramatically increase the
efficiency of sanding operations.
The results of a BMP demonstration project at
five Rhode Island marinas showed that several
techniques can make the use of vacuum sanders
more effective. First, the availability of the
machinery needs to be publicized with flyers or
4-35
-------
National Management Measures Guidance
signs in hull maintenance areas. Second, staff
should be well trained and ready to inform
customers that a professional vacuum sander is
available for use and how to use it properly. Users
need to be given complete operating instructions
and must clearly understand them before using
the machine.
+ Restrict the types and/or amount of do-it-
yourself work done at the marina.
Largely for environmental liability reasons, an
increasing number of marina owners are restrict-
ing do-it-yourself boat repair work of the "dirty"
kind, such as exterior sanding and painting. A
small but increasing percent of marinas are
prohibiting such repairs on-site unless done by a
professional who is trained in, understands, and
follows state-approved environmental manage-
ment practices.
4 Clean hull maintenance areas immediately
after any maintenance to remove debris,
and dispose of collected material properly.
Cleaning hull maintenance areas immediately
after maintenance or repair work is done removes
trash, visible paint chips, and other debris before
they can be blown or washed into the marina
basin. Spent sandblasting grit, boat repair debris,
and solid waste should be stored under cover and
in a manner that minimizes contact with process
or storm water. Vacuuming or sweeping is an
excellent method of collecting these wastes,
especially over paved surfaces. Hosing a mainte-
nance area for cleanup can result in the same
pollution that storm water would cause.
+ Capture and filter pollutants out of runoff
water with permeable tarps, screens, and
filter cloths.
Tarpaulins can be placed on the ground, before a
boat is placed in a cradle or stand for sanding and
painting. The common plastic tarpaulins collect
paint chips, sanding dust, and paint drippings,
which then can be collected and disposed of into
dumpsters with other solid trash, as permitted by
local or state ordinances. Impermeable plastic
tarps, however, have their drawbacks. Wind easily
blows dust and chips off the tarps, and rainwater
washes debris from the tarps. Semipermeable
4-36 ~ ~
filter cloths can be more effective than solid cloth
or plastic tarps for collecting debris where wind is
a problem, where tarps are not always cleaned
each day after work is completed, or where work
is continued during light rains. The filter cloths
hold onto debris better and allow water to pass
through while retaining debris for later disposal.
4 Sweep or vacuum around hull maintenance
areas, roads, and driveways frequently.
Frequent vacuuming of impervious areas can
effectively prevent pollutants from reaching the
marina basin and nonmaintenance areas of the
marina property. Scheduling vacuuming (e.g.,
once a day or every other day during the boating
season) and adhering to the schedule helps make
this a particularly effective management practice.
The practice is most effective in hull maintenance
areas if the surface under any boat being worked
on is swept at the end of each workday.
4 Sweep parking lots regularly.
Cars, trucks, commercial vehicles, and foot traffic
carry a lot of sand, grit, and dirt to parking lots.
Gum wrappers, paper and styrofoam cups,
cigarette butts, and cellophane wrappings tend to
end up on parking lot pavement as well. Storm
water carries these pollutants to the marina basin
or to drain inlets, catch basins, and oil/grit separa-
tors. Regular parking lot sweeping helps reduce
the amount of sand, grit, and trash that reaches
the marina basin and storm water controls.
Because catch basins and oil/grit separators
require periodic cleaning for efficient operation,
sweeping the parking lot extends the time
between sweepings.
4 Plant grass between impervious areas and
the marina basin.
Grass retains and filters pollutants from runoff. A
well-maintained lawn that is located between
impervious surfaces (e.g., parking lots) and the
marina basin and to which runoff from the
impervious surface is directed increases rainwater
infiltration and creates an attractive marina
environment (Figure 4-9).
The technical term for a channel or ditch planted
with grass and used for storm water treatment is
grassed swale. Grassed swales are low-gradient
-------
SECTION 4: Management Measures
Figure 4-9. Storm water runoff is controlled at Deep
River Marina (Connecticut) by 50-foot-wide grass
buffers and a parking lot that is covered with
crushed rock and has sediment traps in the storm
drains. Picnic tables and flowers in the lawn areas
make the marina visually attractive and useful to
families. Summerfield Boat Works (Florida) added
an unpaved parking lot across the street from the
main marina property and basin and landscaped its
perimeter to blend in with the neighborhood. Harbour
Towne Marina (Florida) reduced runoff contamination
by planting a grass buffer around the perimeter of
the facility. The facility's parking is largely paved
and drains to the buffer strip, and the grass adds a
cooling and visually pleasing element to the marina
property (USEPA, 1996: Clean Mannas—Clear
Value).
channels that can be used in place of buried storm
drain pipes (Figure 4.10). To effectively remove
pollutants, grassed swales need to have only a
slight slope and should be long enough to allow all
of the pollutants in storm water to be filtered out.
Because storm water is directed to them and
storms are occasionally very strong, erosion-
resistant vegetation such as deep-rooted grasses
works best. The vegetation filters out pollutants
and absorbs nutrients from the storm water, and
runoff infiltrates into the ground as it is slowed by
the grass in the swale. Grassed swales are best
used in conjunction with other practices listed under
this management measure.
4 Construct new or restore former wetlands
where feasible and practical.
If space and economy permit, consider restoring
wetland vegetation that might have formerly
existed at the edge of the marina basin or altering a
portion of the basin perimeter to support wetland
vegetation. Wetlands are extremely efficient at
removing pollutants from water.
+ Use porous pavement where feasible.
Pervious pavement has strength characteristics
approximately equal to those of traditional pave-
ment but allows rainfall and runoff to percolate
through it. The key is the elimination of most of
the fine aggregate found in conventional pavements.
There are two types of pervious pavement, porous
asphalt and pervious concrete. Porous asphalt has
coarse aggregate held together in the asphalt with
sufficient interconnected voids to yield high
permeability. Pervious concrete, in contrast, is a
discontinuous mixture of Portland cement, coarse
aggregate, admixtures, and water that also yields
interconnected voids for the passage of air and
water. Underlying the pervious pavement are a
filter layer, a stone reservoir, and a filter fabric.
Stored runoff gradually drains out of the stone
reservoir into the subsoil.
A porous surface can also consist of a coarse,
permeable top layer covering an additional layer
of gravel (Figure 4-11). Runoff infiltrates through the
porous layer and into the ground. As storm water
passes through the pavement, the gravel, and
perhaps a perforated underground pipe system
and then into the underlying soil, pollutants are
naturally filtered out. Porous pavement helps
recharge ground water and provides excellent
pollutant removal (up to 80 percent of sediment,
trace metals, and organic matter).
Other types of porous pavements might be
suitable for walkways and areas that will not be ,
subjected to heavy loads.
4 Install oil/grit separators and/or vertical
media filters to capture pollutants in runoff.
' 4-37
-------
National Management Measures Guidance
Sicfca lined with pcrmeitbl*
filter JibST
ISO to 300 nan Mad filter «•
filter ctoa Unu bottom
Figure 4-10. Grassed filter strip surrounding an infiltration trence (adapted from
Schueler, 1987).
Oil/grit separators are useful where petroleum is
spilled or could be spilled (Figure 4-12). Oil/grit
separators can be used to treat water from small
areas where other measures are infeasible. They
are particularly applicable where the work
performed contributes large loads of grease, oil,
mud, or sand to runoff. Inspection and mainte-
nance should occur at least twice per year or per
the manufacturer's recommendations. With
proper maintenance, oil/grit separators can last 50
years.
Vertical media filters use passive filtration to
remove many pollutants from storm water. The
pollutants removed include sediment, nutrients,
soluble metals, hydrocarbons, trash, and debris.
The filters are typically installed in high-use
parking lots, industrial parking lots, roads, bridge
decks, and multiple-use areas. A variety of filter
media can be installed to capture different
pollutants, and the number of filter media used
can be adjusted, permitting the user to adapt the
installation to the requirements of the specific
location.
+ Use catch basins where storm water flows
to the marina basin in large pulses.
Catch basins with flow restrictions are used to
prevent large pulses of storm water from entering
the marina basin at one time. Particulates and soil
settle to the bottom of a
catch basin, in which the
bottom of the basin is typi-
cally 2 to 4 feet below the
outlet pipe (the pipe through
which the trapped water is
allowed to escape). The traps
in a catch basin require
periodic cleaning and mainte-
nance, but if properly main-
tained, a catch basin should
have a life span similar to
that of oil/grit separators (50
years).
Catch basins can have a
separate chamber filled with
sand. With this design, runoff
first enters an open chamber
where coarse particles that
could clog the sand are filtered out. The runoff
then flows into a second chamber where other
pollutants are filtered out by infiltrating through
the sand. Catch basins with sand filters are
effective in highly impervious areas, where other
practices have limited usefulness. They need to
be inspected at least annually, and the top layer of
sand should be removed periodically and replaced
with fresh, clean sand.
Figure 4-11. Lockwood Boat Works (New Jersey)
regraded its combined parking and boat
maintenance yard and surfaced it with 6 inches of
crushed concrete to successfully control runoff.
Using recycled concrete crushed into stone-sized
pieces, the cost was $18,000 per acre installed,
whereas crushed rock would have cost $27,000 per
acre and asphalt paving would have cost $54,000
per acre (USEPA, 1996: Clean Marinas—Clear
Value).
4-38
-------
SECTION 4: Management Measures
Top View Manholes for
clean-out
access
Stormdrain
Overflow
pipe
Perforated pipe inlet
Three-chamber water quality inlet
Underground trench
Side View
Test well
Overflowpipe
150-mm
orifices
Inverted elbow * 150-mm
layer
Figure 4-12. Underground trench with oil/grit chamber (adapted from Schueler, 1987).
4 Add filters to storm drains that are located
near work areas.
Some storm drain designs permit insertion of a
filter to screen solid materials out of runoff. If oil
is typically contained in runoff, an oil absorption
pad can be inserted into the water pool or trap
beneath the filter as well. Filters and absorption
pads placed in storm drains must be cleaned or
replaced regularly to function properly.
> Place absorbents in drain inlets.
Oil and grease are not ordinarily captured by
catch basins. An absorbent material placed in a
drain where it will intercept storm water can
remove much of the oil and grease contained in
runoff. Absorbent material products can remove
10 to 25 times their weight in oil. Absorption pads
placed in drain inlets must be cleaned or replaced
regularly to function properly.
4 Use chemical and filtration treatment
systems only where necessary.
Wastewater can be treated by the addition of
certain chemicals that cause small solid particles
to adhere together to form larger particles, which
are then filtered from the water. This type of
treatment system can remove more than 90
percent of the suspended solids and 80 percent of
most toxic metals associated with hull pressure-
washing wastewater. The degree of treatment is
determined by how much of the chemical is added
and the porosity of the filter used, and it can be
altered to meet municipal standards. Because the
chemicals used for this type of treatment require
disposal themselves, this method of pollutant
removal is suggested for use only where other
methods prove ineffective. This type of treatment
system might be regulated by the state or local
environmental authority, and any regulatory
restrictions for its use should be determined
before choosing to use it.
BMP Summary Table 5 summarizes the BMPs
for Storm Water Runoff control mentioned in this
guidance.
4-39
-------
National Management Measures Guidance
-------
SECTION 4: Management Measures
£• » S
rt u< iH
•8 -8 g
1 '§
•* £
331
I
i .s
•° o
sis
3 S. »
Sa »
oo "S
•a .s S
a 3 3
ea ^-;
•3 43 ^
j«5 O &
g.
. §•
FK u
ts o
11
o *^
'
If
III
S
I^lH
""hi
« i- 2
• - 4> *a
(-1 .23
s -S
al
ta "a
o a
II!
2 2 8
a s AS
p
a 43
.8.21
lilt
S -3
Si=
I I •
2 a
I
-
11
11
It
- 1
11
s
a
51
&
1*
i!
§ &i
« 'I
-
o o
i
-a 8
§.s
w O
rt S a "S *O
CJ e9 S *O o
-
4-4
-------
National Management Measures Guidance
4-42
-------
SECTION 4: Management Measures
Mil
H
w
4-43
-------
National Management Measures Guidance
4-44
-------
SECTION 4: Management Measures
4.6. FUELING STATION DESIGN
Management Measure for Fueling Station Design:
Design fueling stations to allow for ease in cleanup of spills.
Management Measure Description
The possibility of spills during fueling operations
always exists, and spills of gasoline and diesel fuel
during boat fueling are a common source of
pollution in marina waters. Most fuel dock spills
are small and result from overfilling boat fuel
tanks so that fuel splashes back at the nozzle onto
the deck, squirts out of the boat's air vent line, or
drips from the nozzle as it is removed from the
boat and returned to the fuel dock. Therefore,
installation of equipment that can minimize the
occurrence of spills and taking precautions to
contain, absorb, and minimize the spread of
petroleum products spilled during fueling opera-
tions in navigable waters are prudent environmen-
tal practices at all marinas.
Congress passed the Occupational Safety and
Health Act (OSHA) to ensure worker and
workplace safety. Their goal was to make sure
employers provide workers a place of employ-
ment free from recognized hazards to safety and
health, such as exposure to toxic chemicals,
excessive noise levels, mechanical dangers, heat
or cold stress, or unsanitary conditions. OSHA
has various regulations governing employee
involvement in spill cleanups, including requiring
training for such activities. Facilities are en-
couraged to have employees attend hazardous
materials handling training or other appropriate
training.
A form of fuel loss that occurs rarely but is
particularly damaging is when fuel leaks from fuel
pipes and hoses between the fuel storage tank
and the pump. This leakage can result from dock
damage caused by a major storm or a collision
involving a large boat. Because boat fuels are
lighter than water, they float on the water's
surface and are easy to capture if spill contain-
ment and absorption equipment is readily available
and used quickly.
The most effective way to minimize fuel spills and
petroleum hydrocarbon pollution at a marina is to
locate, design, build, and operate a boat fuel dock
or station so that most spills are prevented and
those that do occur are quickly contained and
cleaned up. An essential step in spill prevention
for both new and existing fuel docks is to identify
and locate possible sources of leaks or spills, such
as at joints in piping systems or between pipes and
storage tanks, and to address each one in the
facility's Spill Prevention, Control, and Counter-
measures (or SPCC) Plan. An SPCC plan is a
federal requirement (40 CFR Part 112) for any
marina that has more than 660 gallons of petro-
leum in a single aboveground container, an
aggregate of 1,320 gallons above ground, or more
than 42,000 gallons under ground. The regulation
requires that SPCC plans be certified by a profes-
sional engineer. Not all marinas are required to
prepare and submit an SPCC plan, but if fuel is
stored or transferred at a marina, even if only from
a portable gasoline container filled at a distant gas
station, being prepared to handle a spill is good
environmental practice.
Oil is defined in federal regulations to include
gasoline, diesel fuel, crude and refined oils, and
petroleum-derived products like turpentine.
Among the marine transportation-related facilities
considered to have the potential to cause "sub-
stantial harm" to the environment are "onshore
facilities capable of transferring oil to or from a
vessel with a capacity of 250 barrels or more and
deepwater ports." A barrel of petroleum contains
42 gallons, so 250 barrels translates to 10,500
gallons.
4-45
-------
National Management Measures Guidance
Rules for underground storage tanks (USTs) and
UST systems (40 CFR Part 280) apply to all
owners and operators of UST systems, except as
noted in the regulations. Marinas with one or
more stationary fuel storage tanks, above or
below ground, with a combined storage capacity
of 1,100 gallons or more of petroleum products
are subject to federal and state bulk storage
regulations for registration, testing, monitoring,
replacement, reconditioning, closure, and/or
removal. Fuel storage is also subject to other
regulations, such as for occupational safety and
fire. To ensure compliance with all applicable
regulations, the state and local authorities should
be contacted. Underground tanks with a capacity
of 110 gallons or more are subject to federal
underground storage tank (UST) regulations. UST
regulations can be viewed on the EPA web site at
.
The location and design of fueling facilities also
must meet applicable local, state, and federal
regulations.
Applicability
This management measure is applicable to new
and expanding marinas where fueling stations are
to be added or moved.
Best Management Practices
4- Use automatic shutoffs on fuel lines and at
hose nozzles to reduce fuel loss,
A commercial fuel line shutoff can be located
between the fuel storage tank and the dockside
fuel pump. The shutoff automatically stops fuel
movement when the system senses passage of a
high volume of fuel through the line. The shutoff
can also be manually closed when the fuel dock is
not in operation or during emergencies. State and
local codes might require shutoffs in specific
locations.
Similarly, automatic shutoff fuel nozzles guard
against overfilling boat fuel tanks by automatically
stopping the flow of fuel from the pump. They are
an excellent way to guard against spillage where
marina patrons fill their own tanks. Fume return
lines can also be used on automatic shutoff
nozzles.
+ Remove old-style fuel nozzle triggers that
are used to hold the nozzle open without
being held.
Old fuel nozzle triggers that hold the line open are
illegal in some states because they can result in
overfilling of fuel tanks and fuel loss out of air
vents. Most new fuel nozzles automatically shut
off when the tank fills. Check to see if the state
you are in requires their use.
4 Install personal watercrqft (PWC) floats at
fuel docks to help drivers refuel without
spilling.
Special docking facilities for PWCs can be
installed to stabilize them while they are at a fuel
dock (Figure 4-13). Docking PWCs while fueling
reduces fuel loss caused by the craft rocking on
the water while fueling. These docks have proven
popular with PWC operators and do reduce
spillage.
4 Regularly inspect, maintain, and replace
fuel hoses, pipes, and tanks.
Regularly scheduled preventive maintenance is the
best source control for fuel loss from the fuel
storage and delivery system, and it is often less
costly than cleanup costs and fines levied for spills.
Many marinas are changing from underground
storage tanks (UST) to aboveground, lined tanks.
For EPA publications about USTs, call EPA's
RCRA/Superfund Hotline at 1-800-424-9346 or
visit the EPA web site at (InformationServices link).
4 Install a spill monitoring system
The U.S. Navy has designed a real-time monitor-
ing system that can detect spilled crude and
petroleum-based products 24 hours a day in any
weather condition. The floating instrument detects
sheen as well as emulsion layers below the
surface, and it also determines the type of spill.
Either the instrument is hardwired or the data
from the instrument is telemetered to a base
station, where associated software distinguishes
between background levels and spills. The soft-
ware can be set for continuous or discrete event
logging data storage, and if a spill is detected, the
base station automatically contacts authorities
until a response is made.
4-46
-------
SECTION 4: Management Measures
Figure 4-13. Two PWC floating docks were installed
at Winter Yacht Basin, Inc. (New Jersey). The floats
are 4 feet by 10.5 feet and are connected to PVC
pipes to allow them to ride up and down with the
tide. Operators of PWCs can drive up onto the
platform, step off, and fill the tank from the dock.
The platform is stable enough to limit spilling during
fueling. This practice has also decreased conflict
between PWCs and larger boats at the fuel dock
and has increased fuel sales at the marina (USEPA,
1996: Clean Marinas—Clear Value).
+ Train fuel dock staff in spill prevention,
containment, and cleanup procedures.
Marinas should have at least one key staff
member fully trained and certified in spill manage-
ment, and this person should be designated to be
responsible for inspection, training, and control of
any spill. Hazardous materials response training,
such as 40-hour HAZWOPER training, is recom-
mended. Contact the local agency responsible for
hazardous waste response or a fire department
for information. All staff members should know
the location of absorbent materials and how to use
them to remove the fuel immediately from the
water or ground. Regular practice drills ensure
that staff are familiar with the proper use of these
materials.
+ Install easy-to-read signs on the fuel dock
that explain proper fueling, spill prevention,
and spill reporting procedures.
Most states and some federal agencies have
specific signage guidance. Signs with easy-to-
follow instructions, perhaps using pictures, located
on or near fuel pumps and fuel delivery locations
can help expedite a cleanup if a spill occurs. It is
helpful to have signs that state the following
information:
• Step-by-step way to fuel a boat
• Requirements of the law and spill reporting
phone numbers
• Procedures to follow in the event of a spill
• Locations of absorbent materials
• Proper use and disposal of fuel-absorbent
materials
• Warnings against the use of detergents or
emulsifiers.
Spills should be immediately reported to either the
U.S. Coast Guard or EPA. The U.S. Coast Guard
is the lead response agency for spills in coastal
waters and deepwater ports, and EPA is the lead
response agency for spills that occur in inland
waters. Oil spills can be reported 24 hours a day
at 1-800-424-8802. On navigable waters, any oily
slick or sheen must be reported. More information
on laws and regulations related to spills can be
obtained at the U.S. Coast Guard web site:
. EPA's web site for oil
spill information is www.epa.gov/oilspill.
4 Locate and design boat fueling stations so
that spills can be contained, such as with a
floating boom, and cleaned up easily.
A well-positioned and well-designed fueling
station allows for spill containment equipment,
such as booms, to be easily deployed to surround
a spill and any boats that may be tied to the fuel
dock if a spill occurs. Fuel storage tanks, the fuel
truck delivery area, and pipelines that deliver fuel
to the pump are also sites of potential spills.
Facilities that can be set back from the water
should be so placed, and spill prevention equip-
ment located at all likely places where spills could
occur (such as at pipe junctions). Many marinas
are switching from underground fuel storage
tanks to aboveground tanks because the latter
make spill detection and control easier and the
capital costs are lower.
When a spill occurs at the boat fueling station,
there are three basic steps to take, which need to
4-47
-------
National Management Measures Guidance
be considered when planning or rebuilding a fuel
dock:
• Report the spill to the proper authorities (U.S.
Coast Guard, EPA, and the appropriate state
agency). Any spill can be reported by calling
the U.S. Coast Guard's National Spill Re-
sponse Hotline, 1-800-424-8802. Any petro-
leum spill onto the navigable waters of the
United States sufficient to cause a slick or
sheen on the water is a violation of section
311 of the Clean Water Act, and must be
reported to the hotline.
• Contain the petroleum spill to prevent it from
spreading. Put a boom around and confine
diesel and other nonvolatile oils. The U.S.
Coast Guard recognizes that gasoline spills
pose an extreme explosion and fire threat and
recommends that small gasoline spills be
allowed to evaporate as quickly as possible
without a boom placed around them.
• Place materials on the water within the
contained spill area to absorb the petroleum.
If the spill is large, a commercial spill clean-up
contractor may be needed.
• Remove and dispose of the material at the
appropriate time. Contact the local spill
control authority, a fire department, or the
Cap Sante Boat Haven (Washington) uses
oil absorption booms anchored cross-
current to capture floating oil. The booms
are changed twice a year. The marina also
uses about 800 oil absorption pads a year
at a cost of $200. Battery Park Marina
(Ohio) also uses an oil boom where the
fuel line joins the floating dock, in case the
connection leaks. These booms are
replaced every 6 months at a cost of $25
each. Cedar Island Marina (Connecticut)
keeps a pole with a small floating absorp-
tion boom attached at one end on its fuel
dock to be used quickly and effectively by
staff to sweep and mop the water surface if
any small spills occur during boat fueling
(USEPA, 1996: Clean Marinas—Clear
Value).
local U.S. Coast Guard for specific removal
and disposal guidance.
+ Write and implement a fuel spill recovery
plan.
An SPCC plan is a first line of defense against
petroleum pollution and should be developed by all
marinas, whether required by regulations or not.
An example plan is appended to the Petroleum,
Control Management Measure. *An SPCC plan
should be written to apply to all locations in the
marina where fuel or oil is stored or transferred,
and it should clearly explain spill emergency
procedures, including health and safety, notifica-
tion, and spill containment and control measures.
Marina personnel should be trained in spill con-
tainment and control practices. The plan should
address the following:
• Who: Clearly identify who is responsible for
taking what action. Action items will include
deploying the equipment and contacting the
emergency agencies and additional cleanup
services. The plan should contain a list,
updated periodically,- of emergency phone
numbers to be used if a spill occurs. One
person on the marina staff should be desig-
nated the official spokesperson for the facility.
• What: Define what actions should be taken if
a fuel spill occurs and, based on likely threats,
what equipment should be deployed. Include
information on the type of spill equipment
available on-site and its characteristics and
capabilities. List emergency phone numbers
to be called, including the U.S. Coast Guard
and local fire department, when a spill is
discovered. Make sure dispersants are not
used on any spill.
• When: Clearly state when additional resources,
such as spill control services, should be called
for assistance. Plan when the manna's spill
control equipment will be inspected and
replaced, if necessary. A maintenance sched-
ule for the equipment and a training schedule
for staff should be established.
• Where: Show where the spill control material
is located in the facility. Make sure storage
lockers are clearly marked and easy to
access. Identify sources where additional spill
4-48
-------
SECTION 4: Management Measures
. response equipment can be obtained quickly if
necessary. Potential sources include commer-
cial spill response companies, fire depart-
ments, or neighboring marinas that have fuel
spill response equipment. If a commercial fuel
spill response firm is to be used, establish a
prearranged agreement and cost estimates
with the firm.
• How: Explain how the spill control equipment
should be used and disposed of. To be sure that
marina personnel understand the response plan,
regularly conduct drills that simulate a fuel spill.
Evaluate the drill and share observa-tions with
all employees.
State and local regulations might have broader
applicability than federal regulations and might
even require an SPCC plan of any facility where
fuel is stored or transferred. Contact the appropri-
ate state and local authorities to determine if the
facility needs to have a plan and for assistance in
preparing one.
An example of an oil spill response plan is con-
tained in Appendix B. In order that it is clear what
type of information is to be entered for the plan,
the example is filled out with explanations of the
information to be filled in or as if it were for an
actual marina. Information specific to this ficti-
tious marina is printed in Arial font. Where this
font occurs, the entries should be replaced with
information specific to the actual marina for
which the plan is being written, and the plan
should be updated as changes in procedure,
regulations, or the marina occur. Oil spill informa-
tion is updated quarterly in EPA's "Oil Spill
Program Update" on the Oil Program web site at
.
+ Have spill containment equipment storage,
such as a locker attached or adjacent to
the fuel dock, easily accessible and clearly
marked.
Store the appropriate type and quantity of fuel
spill containment and control materials in a clearly
marked cabinet or locker that is easily and quickly
accessible at the fuel dock. The type and quantity
depend on the type of spill likely to occur and the
potential quantity of a spill. Place absorbent pads
and booms, a copy of the SPCC plan, and other
important petroleum spill equipment in the locker.
Effective fuel spill containment equipment is
readily available from commercial suppliers.
Booms can absorb up to 25 times their weight in
petroleum products and float even when they are
saturated. It's best to have enough length of boom
to encircle the dock and the largest boat serviced,
or a length of boom about three times as Jong as
the longest boat serviced.
The following are examples of fuel/oil spill control
products currently available:
• Booms: Usually 10-foot floating sections that
interconnect to encircle the spill.
• Pads: Flat absorbent sheets that float; also
called diapers.
• Pillows: Short booms often used in bilge of
larger boats.
• Bilge sock: Small pillow for most boat bilges.
• Filter: Separates fuel from water.
• Bilge switch: Replaces float switch and shuts
off when floating fuel layer is reached.
BMP Summary Table 6 summarizes the BMPs
for Fueling Station Design mentioned in this
guidance.
4-49
-------
National Management Measures Guidance
o "3 O B -3
CJ Pi CJ
| g .a |
t
th
t.
a
eterior
prod
in suc
i R a
> JS 2
.
=8 «
Pro
nm
ts
g
v
J»
>J ^>
I'
o 42 "• £
Hill
IGH; greatly reduces
lume of fuel spills from
erfilling fuel tanks
15-5
*l
-11
I -
S JJ
ii
5 c
IGH;
ssibilit
ring fil
illed
spi
so
eli
en
; old-style n
rs are illegal
states
trig
so
fill
•S
§ 35
it
£"°
GH; reduces fuel los
used by rocking on t
ter, so less risk to th
spi
=3
if
3 3
a is
111!
1 8
« e
3
1
B .
o. «
g «
4-50
-------
SECTION 4: Management Measures
4-57
-------
National Management Measures Guidance
4-52
-------
SECTION 4: Management Measures
4.7. PETROLEUM CONTROL
Management Measure for Petroleum Control:
Reduce the amount of fuel and oil from boat bilges and fuel tank air vents
entering marina and surface waters.
Management Measure Description
Fuel is easily spilled into surface waters from the
fuel tank air vent while fueling a boat (if overfill-
ing), and oil is easily discharged during bilge
pumping. A small fuel sheen on the water
surface near docked boats is not an uncommon
sight and can be caused by a spill of only a few
drops or a slow leak from a gas tank. Because
of the properties of oil, a cup of oil can spread as
a very thin oil sheen over more than an acre of
calm water. Small amounts of oil spilled from
numerous boats can accumulate to create large
oil sheens. Gasoline spills are also a safety
problem because of gasoline's flammability.
Hydrocarbons are dangerous to aquatic plants
and animals both at and below the water sur-
face. Less than half of spilled oil stays in the
water; the rest evaporates. Spread over the
surface, oil creates a barrier to oxygen move-
ment across the water surface and to animals
(for instance, insect larvae) that must breathe at
the surface. At and below the surface, oil
attaches to plant leaves, decreasing their respira-
tion, and bottom sediments. It can also be
ingested by animals directly, or indirectly by
feeding on other organisms such as filter feeders
(mussels, sponges) that have ingested the oil.
The hydrocarbons in oil harm juvenile fish, upset
fish reproduction, and interfere with the growth
and reproduction of bottom-dwelling organisms.
Some oil remains as sediment contamination.
Petroleum spills can also cause structural
damage at marinas, such as discoloration on boat
hulls, woodwork, and paint, and deterioration of
white Styrofoam in floats and docks (because
petroleum dissolves this material).
The practices discussed here are used in many
marinas, and their use can minimize the entry of
petroleum from fueling and bilge pumping into
surface waters. Technologies such as air/fuel
separators, oil-absorbing pads, and bioremedial
pads and socks have been developed in response
to a growing recognition of the ecological and
cumulative damage that can be done by even
small spills of petroleum products into surface
waters. These small spills escape the attention of
many people, and marina owners and operators
can play an important role in bringing the impor-
tance of controlling this form of pollution to the
attention of their patrons.
Applicability
This management measure is applicable to marina
managers and boat owners. Although marina
managers have no control over the implementa-
tion of many of the BMPs mentioned in this
section, particularly those applicable to privately
owned and operated watercraft, aware-ness of
the issues associated with boat engines and their
maintenance is important because engines are
potential sources of nonpoint source pollution and
their operation and maintenance have the potential to
affect marina waters.
Best Management Practices
4 Promote the installation and use of fuel/air
separators on air vents or tank stems of
inboard fuel tanks to reduce the amount of
fuel spilled into surface waters during
fueling.
Often during fueling operations fuel overflows
from the air vent from the built-in fuel tank on a
4-53
-------
National Management Measures Guidance
boat. Attachments for vent lines on fuel tanks,
which act as fuel/air separators, are available
commercially and are easily installed on most
boats. These devices release air and vapor but
contain fuel before it can overflow. Marinas can
make these units available in their retail stores
and post notices describing their spill prevention
benefits and availability.
+ Avoid overfilling fuel tanks.
Fuel expands as it warms and the temperature in
a boat's fuel tank usually is much higher than
that in the storage tank, especially an under-
ground tank. While fueling, a distinctive change
in sound occurs when a tank is almost full. Filling
can be stopped at this time, leaving a small
amount of space in the tank to allow for expan-
sion of the fuel with temperature changes.
Without this space, fuel in a completely filled
tank can spill out when the fuel expands.
Automatic shutoff nozzles might not stop fuel
flow before some fuel spillage occurs through
the air vent, and listening for the sound of the
almost-full tank is the best way to know when to
stop filling. Having an oil absorbent pad ready to
wipe up any drops is also a good fueling practice.
+ Provide "doughnuts" or small petroleum
absorption pads to patrons to use while
fueling to catch splashback and the last
drops when the nozzle is transferred back
from the boat to the fuel dock.
Although few of us may be concerned about
drops of fuel spilled onto the ground while we fill
our car at the gas station, at the marina those
drops can go directly into surface waters. There
is no oil/water separator or catch basin to
prevent drops at the marina fuel dock from
entering the water, so using a little extra caution
and taking precautions to prevent spills is good
practice at the fueling dock. A doughnut placed
over the fuel nozzle or a small absorbent pad in
hand to catch any backsplash when the fuel tank
is full and any drops that fall while the handle is
replaced at the pump is an effective and easy
way to prevent the small spills that can add up to
big problems.
A small absorbent pad temporarily attached to
the hull below the fuel tank air vent during
fueling provides an added precaution against fuel
spilling directly into surface waters. Pads that
attach to vertical or horizontal surfaces with
suction cups are commercially available. Properly
dispose of all petroleum-containing materials as
hazardous waste, or according to your local
hazardous waste authority's recommendation.
At Battery Park Marina on Lake Erie, staff
cut absorption pads into squares, then cut
an X-shaped hole in the center for the fuel
nozzle to pass through. Any splashes
while fueling are absorbed by the pad
(USEPA, 1996: Clean Marinas—Clear
Value).
+ Keep engines properly maintained for
efficient fuel consumption, clean exhaust,
and fuel economy. Follow the
manufacturer's specifications.
Well-tuned and maintained engines burn fuel more
efficiently, improve mileage, and lower exhaust
emissions. Mixing fuel for 2-cycle outboard
engines according to the manufacturer's specifi-
cations (usually 50:1 fuel to oil) can help prevent
inefficient burning.
+ Routinely check for engine fuel leaks and
use a drip pan under engines.
The best way to keep fuel and oil out of bilge
water is to check for and fix small leaks, including
making sure fuel lines are secure and inspecting
them for wear.
4 Avoid pumping any bilge water that is oily
or has a sheen. Promote the use of materi-
als that capture or digest oil in bilges.
Examine these materials frequently and
replace as necessary.
Marina operators can advertise the availability of
oil-absorbing materials or can include the cost of
installation of such material in yearly dock fees. A
clause can be inserted in leasing agreements that
requires boaters to use oil-absorbing materials in
their bilges.
4-54
-------
SECTION 4: Management Measures
One oil spill response agent uses microbes to
assist in cleaning up petroleum pollutants.
Because it uses natural organisms, it is completely
nonhazardous, nontoxic, and biodegradable. In
independent tests by the National Environmental
Technology Applications Corporation (NETAC),
oil pollutants treated with the agent were
reduced by up to 98 percent within 8 weeks.
The agent can be sprayed as a loose powder
onto an oil spill, where it bonds with the oil and
keeps it from sinking and harming aquatic life.
Special socks containing the agent can be placed
directly in boat bilges to absorb oil there. The
socks can immediately absorb twice their weight
in oil, and they continue to degrade oil so that
one sock can be used for an entire boating
season. Once the oil has been degraded, the
agent degrades itself and the empty sock can be
thrown away. Consumers should make sure that
they are using an oil spill response agent that
actually "eats" the oil rather than seemingly
similar products that are pills made of biodegrad-
able detergents. These are actually emulsifiers
that only break oil down into smaller particles to
be discharged into the water.
+ Extract used oil from absorption pads if
possible, or dispose of it in accordance
with petroleum disposal guidelines.
If a container for recycling oil is available,
boaters should place extracted oil into it. Re-
cycled oil should be handled by a commercial
waste oil hauler. If recycling is not an option,
boat owners can place used pads in a sealed
plastic bag and dispose of them with other oily
wastes. All fuel- or oil-soaked materials should
be stored together and removed by a certified
waste hauler. Some booms can be cleaned and
reused. Some materials can be recycled or
burned as a heat source. If a marina doesn't
have a used oil collection receptacle or program,
a local department of environmental protection
can be contacted for the location of the nearest
used oil recycling station or collection point.
4 Prohibit the use of detergents and emulsifiers
on fuel spills.
Soaps, detergents, and emulsifying products
should not be used on oil or petroleum spills
because they only hide spills and seemingly make
them disappear. They actually cause petroleum
products to sink into the water, where the combi-
nation of fuel and detergent can harm aquatic life
and make the pollutants difficult to collect. Use of
detergent bilge cleaners is illegal and subject to a
high fine imposed by the U.S. Coast Guard. Many
bilge cleaners are actually detergents and their
use should be discouraged as well because
environmentally friendly alternatives exist.
BMP Summary Table 7 summarizes the BMPs
for Petroleum Control mentioned in this guidance.
4-55
-------
National Management Measures Guidance
4-56
_
-------
SECTION 4: Management Measures
EMENT MEASURE
r*
<
Z
INTROLMA
(_
M
^
g
5
g
w
fc
. — .
1
c
l>
OJ
IBMP Summarv Tab!
1
*J «
a S
1 «a
C- C3 C
^ C V-
•a -§ w
3 *3
S ^
^^
S5 v
C5 ^rt
S M
3
*^
3
Projected Environmenl
Benefits
ft
Benefits t<
Marina
d^j
^
1
u o
P «
CB ^
"I
CB
S
•B S
Best Managemel
Practice ExampI
&
jo
™
1 ^
11
-5 ^ •
ill
ill
^
s
^
s
aivnacKM
MODERATE
S
ll
t3 S
0 S
ua R
S I
S 8
ttj ro
Routinely check for engi
fuel leaks and use a drip
under engines
•> »
=5 S ^
"S MJ3
s :a 'S
E2 °
o 2 .-3
60* ° t.
3 U 0 M
1 8<3 i*
c c .g
«1
+^
.W) g
2°l i » §1
£ >,-3 & 1 g g
j?^ f 3 w f §
> ?S jg g '-a 'S "g,
Cl QJ
§ O
&.S "S s
S S "§ ***
2 3 w "2
i J e -
S -S--S g
iill-i
II 111
^
s
^
s
MODERATE to HIGH;
recycling and reusing reducs
raw material use
1 ^ •§ a g
Ifflll
T3
1
O
1
a
«r
a
S
»-( aj
0 0
u §
3 "9
Extract used oil from
absorption pads if possi'
dispose of them in accoi
with petroleum disposal
guidelines
u
i 's s
K 3 O
13 a"3
s a a
II?
|§|
III
&
Z
D
w
z
z
T3
HIGH; soaps, detergents, an
emulsifiers cause petroleum
products to sink into water,
making them impossible to
remove
&JO
.s-a
3 g1 a .
... sg •£ GO
[s :s g rf -g
<; w o ^ «
P- C3 ^ "^ r?
o £? § -^ «
S 8 1 S r8
2 -S a « o
— .
ca
1
I
¥1
.a g
KJ §
S g
S 2
1.1
Prohibit the use of deter
and emulsifiers on fuel
4-57
-------
National Management Measures Guidance
4-58
-------
SECTION 4: Management Measures
4.8. LIQUID MATERIAL MANAGEMENT
Management Measure for Liquid Material Management:
Provide and maintain appropriate storage, transfer, containment, and disposal
facilities for liquid material, such as oil, harmful solvents, antifreeze, and
paints, and encourage recycling of these materials.
Management Measure Description
Marinas store a variety of liquid materials for boat
and facility operation and generate various liquid
wastes through the activities that occur on marina
property. Adequate storage and disposal facilities
are important if these materials are to be kept out
of the environment. Proper storage is also impor-
tant to ensure that liquid materials do not become
contaminated while in storage and have to be
disposed of prematurely. Marina patrons and
employees are more likely to properly dispose of
liquid wastes if adequate and safe disposal
facilities are provided. Many states have manda-
tory or voluntary programs that address this
management measure.
Proper storage and disposal of potentially harmful
liquid materials can eliminate their entering marina
waters and harming the aquatic environment,
aquatic organisms, and marina or customer
property. Liquid materials for sale or use at the
marina, such as fuels, oils, solvents, and paints,
should be stored in a manner that minimizes the
chance of a spill and contains a spill if one occurs.
Liquid wastes, such as waste fuel, used oil, spent
solvents, and spent antifreeze, should be similarly
stored until they can be recycled or disposed of
properly.
Small quantities of many liquid wastes, including
antifreeze, waste oil, pesticides, cleaners, solvents,
and paints, can be harmful or deadly to people,
wildlife, pets, fish, and other aquatic organisms.
Discharge of these materials into marina waters
not only is environmentally damaging but also
destroys the overall clean, healthy environment
that a marina can provide to its patrons. Dirty
marinas affect boater satisfaction and present a
poor image to prospective patrons. A clean
marina reinforces the public image that boating is
clean and that marinas are beneficial for the
environment.
Regulations also play a role in proper liquid
material and waste management. Approved spill
protection materials and methods might be
required by the local fire department and are
necessary for marine environmental and liability
insurance coverage. Regardless of whether a
liquid waste material is eventually recycled or
disposed of, careful documentation of how much
material is collected, how it is removed from the
facility, and where it is ultimately going is ex-
tremely important. These records are invaluable if
there is ever any question from state or federal
authorities about the marina's hazardous waste
collection and disposal practices.
Marina staff and boaters should be informed
about safe storage and disposal of liquid wastes.
If a marina collects waste oil for recycling or
disposal, precautions need to be taken to prevent
contamination of one waste type with an incom-
patible type. Contaminated or mixed liquid wastes
are very expensive to dispose of because com-
mercial removal companies charge their highest
rates for unknown mixtures. Some marinas have
received costly fines by not controlling what is
dumped into waste oil containers or who dumps
materials into them. Holding tanks for liquid
wastes should be kept locked, and a staff person
should be responsible for moving waste from a
collection site to the storage facility.
4-59
-------
National Management Measures Guidance
Applicability
This management measure is applicable to
marinas where liquid materials used in the mainte-
nance, repair, or operation of boats are stored.
Best Management Practices
With respect to all BMPs mentioned in this
section, please consult with your state and local
regulatory authorities for specific requirements
and make sure your facility is in compliance.
Where state and local regulations contradict the
recommendations provided in this guidance, the
facility must follow regulatory requirements.
+ Build curbs, bertns, or other barriers
around areas used for liquid material
storage to contain spills.
To contain spills, curbs or berms should be
installed around areas where liquid material is
stored. A general guide is to build berms or curbs
to be capable of containing 10 percent of the total
volume of liquid material stored or 110 percent of
the volume of the largest container in storage,
whichever is greater. Drains in the floor would
defeat the purpose of the curbs or berms, so any
drains present should be permanently closed.
+ Store liquid materials under cover on a
surface that is impervious to the type of
material stored.
Containers of hazardous liquid materials are best
stored in a protected place where rain will not
lead to the containers' rusting and rupturing. It is
equally important that the surface on which the
containers are stored and of which the berms or
curbs are made be impervious to the contents of
the containers. If they aren't, a spill could quickly
destroy the spill containment material and spread.
+ Storage and disposal areas for liquid
materials should be located in or near
repair and maintenance areas, undercover,
Elliot Bay Marina (Washington) has its
staff pick up almost any hazardous waste
directly from the boat owner. This saves
the potential high cost for disposing of
hazardous materials that have been
accidentally mixed by customers, thrown
into dumpsters, or left on the dock where
they could fall or leak into the water. This
practice has worked well and has resulted
in lower disposal costs, a spi'lf-free marina,
; and happier customers who do not have to
handle the waste product (USEPA, 1996:
Clean Marinas—Clear Value).
protected, from runoff, with berms or sec-
ondary containment, and away from flood
areas and fire hazards.
+ Store minimal quantities of hazardous
materials.
A good idea is to conduct a regular review of the
facility's hazardous materials inventory to identify
any materials that can be stored in smaller
amounts, or that are no longer needed or that
have expired on the shelf. Buying only as much
material as will be used within a year, or on a
project basis, can save money and reduce waste.
+ Provide clearly labeled, separate contain-
ers for the disposal of waste oils, fuels, and
other liquid wastes.
Waste oils include waste engine oil, transmission
fluid, hydraulic fluid, and gear oil. Waste fuels
include gasoline, diesel, gasolines/oil blends, and
water contaminated by these fuels. Other liquid
materials of concern include used antifreeze/
coolant, solvents, acetone, paints, and, if a restau-
rant is present, edible cooking oils and fats. Each
of these liquids needs a separate container that is
clearly marked to prevent mixing with other
liquids and to assist in its identification for proper
disposal. The containers should be covered in a
Deep River Marina (Connecticut), Conanicut Marine Services (Rhode Island) and many
other marinas use portable oil-changing units that use a vacuum tank to suction oil out of
an engine through the dip-stick tube. The unit is rented to boaters for do-it-yourself oil
changing (USEPA, 1996: Clean Mannas—Clear Value).
4-60
-------
SECTION 4: Management Measures
manner that prevents rainwater from entering
them. Used oil filters are best drained before
disposal by placing the filter in a funnel over the
appropriate waste collection container. Waste
should be removed from the marina site by
someone permitted to handle such waste, such as
a hazardous material contractor, and receipts and
records of all materials disposed of and hauled
away should be retained for inspection.
Paint cans with unused paint should be opened in
well ventilated areas and left to dry until solid,
then disposed of with normal trash. For informa-
tion on how to handle particular types of hazard-
ous wastes and which wastes are hazardous and
which are not, contact a local extension service,
waste hauler, or fire department.
+ Recycle liquid materials where possible.
The decision to recycle is usually based on the
type of waste and the availability of recycling
facilities. Where a recycling program is available,
consider participating and encouraging the partici-
pation of all marina patrons. Liquids that are often
acceptable for recycling include waste or used oil
and used antifreeze. Drop-off at a hazardous
waste collection point may be necessary.
4 Change engine oil using nonspill vacuum-type
systems to perform spill-proof oil changes or
to suction oily water from bilges.
4 Use antifreeze and coolants that are less
toxic to the environment.
Care should be taken to avoid combining different
types of antifreeze/coolants. Propylene-glycol-
based antifreeze (with a pink color) should be
used because it is less toxic to the environment.
Ethylene-glycol-based antifreeze (identifiable by
its blue-green color) is very toxic to animals and
should be recycled when it is used.
+ Use alternative liquid materials where
practical.
When possible, use low-toxicity or nontoxic
materials, such as water-based paints and sol-
vents and propylene-glycol antifreeze, in place of
more toxic products. The use of nontoxic, high-
bonding, easily cleaned coatings can be encour-
aged among marina patrons. Solvents with low
volatility and coatings with low volatile organic
compound (VOC) content are available, as are
long-lasting and nontoxic antifouling paints.
4 Follow manufacturer's directions and use
nontoxic or low-toxicity pesticides.
At both marinas and boat launch sites, all pesti-
cides (herbicide or insecticide) should be applied
according to the directions provided on the
container and should be applied by someone
trained in pesticide application. All precautions
should be taken to avoid allowing any pesticide to
enter surface waters. Herbicides that are not
toxic to aquatic life are safest to use. A local
extension service is a good source of information
on the relative safety of pesticides and where and
when they can be safely applied. Using mulches
in gardens and under shrubs can be as effective a
method for controlling weeds and is more environ-
mentally friendly than using herbicides.
4 Burn used oil used as a heating fuel.
EPA permits burning used oil as a heating fuel
(though some states might not permit it) if special
high-temperature furnaces are used. This elimi-
nates disposing of the used oil as a hazardous
waste (Figure 4-14). Normally, the only oil that
can be used as a fuel for high-temperature
furnaces is that collected as part of normal
maintenance and boat service work, but check
with the furnace manufacturer. Also, verify that
use of this system is permissible with the local
environmental authority.
4 Prepare a hazardous materials spill recov-
ery plan and update it as necessary.
If large amounts of hazardous materials and/or
wastes are stored even for short periods of time
on marina property, a spill prevention and recov-
ery plan should be adopted. The plan should list
the types and volumes of materials that could
potentially be spilled. This information is important
because spill response action depends on the type
of material spilled. A spill response plan for
hazardous material can be integrated into an oil
spill response plan and should include the same
components:
• Who: Clearly identify who is responsible for
taking what action.
4-61
-------
National Management Measures Guidance
Figure 4-14. West Access Marina (Illinois) installed
a high-temperature furnace in 1993, which extended
the marine's boat maintenance activities into and
through the winter. The marine's engine mainte-
nance service collects between 1,000 and 2,000
gallons of waste oil a year. It is collected in small
containers and stored in a 1,000-galion drum. The
furnace burns very cleanly at 3,000 EF. The furnace
saves the marina thousands of dollars each year in
waste oil removal costs (USEPA, 1996: Clean Mari-
nas—Clear Value).
• What: Explain what action should be taken
during a spill event and, based on multiple
scenarios, what equipment should be de-
ployed.
• When: Specify when additional resources
should be called for assistance.
• Where: Tell where the material is located in
the facility.
• How: Explain how the equipment should be
used and disposed of.
+ Keep adequate spill response equipment
where liquid materials are stored.
Equipment that is suitable for the variety of
materials stored and can contain spilled material
and prevent it from entering surface waters
should be readily available near where spills are
likely. Many hazardous materials do not remain on
the water surface if they do enter surface waters,
so absorbent materials should be used as soon as
possible after a spill to contain them. These
materials should then be disposed of properly.
BMP Summary Table 8 summarizes the BMPs
for Liquid Material management mentioned in this
guidance.
4-62
-------
SECTION 4: Management Measures
£ ^
II
< fr^
(U
§
a
i
I
2
s
I!
5 'O
O! "C
-------
National Management Measures Guidance
JRIALMANAGEMEN'
=H
j
|
3
3
^-,
3
3
Ll
CO
«
0
2
a
vt
q
c
2
B ^
1 8|
&| .1
1 ."3 fr
c 3
•<
•3 E
•S '•§
2 pc
Bl
Projected
Environmental Beni
Benefits to Marina
«8
a
_o
s &
»3 s
_a
c5
§
•e g?
Best Managemei
Practice Exampl
g* CJ £*
t4_ .2 > en Q^
fllpLll
.2*3 S*e «) s^ o JS
§.< ^ e ^.3 "1 ^3 ^
1 -s 1 •§ ^"f « S..S1
21|~l^|o 1 1
^"^^ ot3 '-'•§ Eo1^
O raS-O»
w S3 T3
^A g 0
o gc •
•o g g
i « 1
ra
bo >< S
Change engine oil usin
nonspill vacuum-type s
to make spill-proof oil
changes or to suction o
water from bilges
^
s
j
If I
MODERATE; less toxic
propylene-glycol based
antifreeze (with PINK c<
is much less toxic to ani
MODERATE; lower
toxicity products protect
the marina property and
customer health
.."S
ja" *§
tJ O
a I
•a 1
o o
5= a
:§=§-
°* CO
W) o
5 3
1..
Use antifreeze and cool
that are less toxic to thf
environment
0
'i "e . "O '^ ^
ill i|-| !„
oa5>-3^Gt-**^'^
™ ^ y « ^ s. M 'i i
"i 1 « 1 '1 I'l g>c
|!||l f-illl
^w ^•Sa SjeJ'^-*4
3^"w)'S 8 o^ § =
^
3
1 • .
•8
1 a
111 '
pq" ^ ' j« ^
|||s
s § as
ilfli
•a
a "S
ll
i §
It
S s
U 'r^
Q 3
•a
ll
If
U
§ 3
S"" O '•»
*^3 ?3
S *? &
X O -4
w a§ 8
S s c 3
•a a .0 na
a ° 9 s
K a> ra c
ol-S-^
0 OT.Sl
&
3
1
MODERATE; reduces
toxicity to aquatic life
MODERATE; reduces
risk to human-health,
pets, chilcren
•s
If 'H
TH O
S8
3t
«j ™
C3 i2
DJJ 53
« >
1-
Follow manufacturer's
directions and use non-
or low-toxicity pesticid
4-64
-------
SECT/ON 4: Management Measures
a
All onl
high-temperatu
furnaces; check
local and state
authorities befo
sp
re
3 cu
*s
11
2) 3>
li &
II
fl
S i
h
al
any
materi
on the w
orben
uld b
ous
not re
terials
d to
sho u
contain the
U i
a*;
a
sS
o
3
^s
sli
l^i
Ss-3
- I"3
111
.
O 3
.
.tt «
••
o a s
" "I •§
| s >
C3 S
lie
&a H
III
r~* Q -O
E
«
0!
E-
•
S I
| |
Q
oo
_a
«
fc
I
1-i
as
I-3
•2
o c
3 3
'&'S
fill
4-65
-------
National Management Measures Guidance
_
4-66
-------
SECTION 4: Management Measures
4.9. SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT
Management Measure for Solid Waste:
Properly dispose of solid wastes produced by the operation, cleaning, mainte-
nance, and repair of boats to limit entry of solid wastes to surface waters.
Management Measure Description
This management measure is focused on con-
trolling the solid waste that can collect at mari-
nas and boat ramp sites if waste receptacles are
not provided and conveniently located or if
sufficient attention is not given to controlling
waste produced during boat cleaning, mainte-
nance, and repair activities. Many of the man-
agement practices that are useful for reducing
solid waste production during boat maintenance
activities are discussed under the Storm Water
Runoff management measure because much of
the solid waste produced during boat mainte-
nance activities could potentially be carried to
surface waters in storm water runoff. Please
refer to the discussions of those management
practices under the Storm Water Runoff man-
agement measure.
The purpose of this management measure is to
prevent solid waste from polluting surface waters.
Solid waste from boat cleaning, maintenance, and
repair might contain harmful substances such as
antifoulant paint chips or solvents used to clean or
polish metal or wood parts. Solid waste from
general activities and marina use, such as plastic
bags, cups, cigarette butts, and food containers,
also pollutes surface waters and degrades the
habitats of aquatic animals and plants. The simple
act of picking up and properly disposing of trash
goes a long way toward preventing this form of
nonpoint source pollution.
Marinas that appear clean because litter is not a
visual problem are also more attractive to
customers when they are shopping for a place to
dock their boats or when the time comes to sign
a new slip rental lease. Cleanliness at a marina
can also lead to public recognition and to fewer
complaints about flat tires or floating trash in slips.
Substantial cleanup costs can be replaced by
small initial investments in trash collection and
preventive practices (Figure 4-15). The invest-
ment in some clean marina practices can be
recovered by renting equipment such as dustless
sanders or selling items such as filter cloth to boat
owners.
Providing sufficient waste receptacles, separating
wastes into classes of recyclables, and preventing
litter are all accepted practices today and are part
of customer service and environmentally friendly
management at any public establishment. Marinas
generate solid waste through boat maintenance,
parties and small social gatherings on boats,
restaurants, commercial activity at the marina,
and the day-to-day operation of the facility
Figure 4-15. Filter cloths to capture debris. Port
Annapolis Marina (Maryland) uses geotextile
screening cloths to capture the normal sanding and
scraping debris, as well as screws, nails, and other
solid materials. This reduces cleanup time and
improves appearance (USEPA, 1996: Clean
Marinas—Clear Value).
4-67
-------
National Management Measures Guidance
(Figure 4-16). If adequate trash and solid waste
disposal facilities are not available, solid waste is
more likely to end up in surface waters or scat-
tered on the marina grounds, from which it might
be blown or washed into surface waters. Marina
patrons and employees are more likely to properly
dispose of solid waste if given adequate opportu-
nity and disposal facilities. In fact, under federal
law, marinas and port facilities must supply
adequate and convenient waste disposal facilities
for their customers.
Applicability
This management measure is applicable to all
marinas. Many of the BMPs mentioned here are
directed at boat owners and users, and the
information is provided here so that marina
managers are aware of the potential nonpoint
source pollution problems.
Best Management Practices
4 Encourage marina patrons to avoid doing
any hull maintenance while their boats are
in the water.
The quantity of debris discarded into the marina
basin from boat maintenance activities can be
minimized by limiting in-the-water boat mainte-
nance to tasks (such as propeller work and hull
inspection) that do not remove paint and other
solid materials. Dustless sanders can be used for
Figure 4-16. Vacuum sanders. Employees at The
Lodge of Four Seasons Marina (Missouri) use vacuum
or "dustless" sanders to prepare hulls for painting,
reducing waste in the environment and cleanup time
(USEPA, 1996: Clean Marinas— Clear Value).
topside work in slips, and tarps can be laid out
between a boat and the dock to catch any debris.
It can be very difficult to do any hull maintenance
while the boat is in the water without some debris
falling into the water, and some marina managers
require that all work be done on land. If feasible,
limit in-the-water hull maintenance to cleaning,
preferably without the use of cleansers. (See the
Boat Cleaning management measure).
+ Place trash receptacles in convenient
locations for marina patrons. Covered
dumpsters and trash cans are ideal.
Many people don't want to put their trash any-
where but in a trash receptacle. For these people,
and to encourage those who might otherwise
consider dropping trash on the ground to use trash
receptacles, waste disposal facilities should be
conveniently located near repair and maintenance
areas, in parking lots, on docks, and in heavy-use
areas, such as near grassy areas where people
picnic and in parking lots. Covered trash recep-
tacles do not fill up with water when it rains, do
not lose their contents to strong winds, and are
less likely to be invaded by scavenging mammals
and birds. A loose cover also acts as an indicator
that a receptacle is full. The best overfill preven-
tion is frequent emptying by marina staff.
+ Provide trash receptacles at boat launch
sites.
Trash disposal can be a big problem at boat
launch ramps. Boat launch sites are often the
most convenient access point to waterbodies, and
people from nearby areas, the non-boating public,
or those not using the launch ramp for boat
launching (e.g., those who use the site for picnick-
ing, swimming, or shore fishing) deposit their trash
in the receptacles provided for boaters at the site.
If trash receptacles are provided at the launch
site, this use can be expected, and a pick-up
schedule should be arranged accordingly. Some
states (e.g., Maine and Minnesota) have experi-
mented with removing trash receptacles from
boat launch sites because overflowing trash
receptacles and litter strewn on the ground can
result from providing trash receptacles that are
insufficient to accommodate the trash from many
users. Some people leave their trash atop an
4-68
-------
SECTION 4: Management Measures
overflowing trash receptacle or beside one rather
than taking it with them, thinking it will be picked
up by someone whose job it is to do so. Maine
and Minnesota have found that when trash
receptacles are removed the boating public
generally does not complain and takes their trash
with them. Litter can actually cease to be a
problem after trash receptacles are removed in
these instances. If it is decided not to provide
trash receptacles, posting signs that ask people to
"Pack it out!" can reduce the amount of trash •
left at the site.
+ Provide facilities for collecting recyclable
materials.
Recycling of nonhazardous solid waste such as
scrap metal, aluminum, glass, wood pallets,
alkaline batteries, paper, fishing line and nets, and
cardboard is recommended wherever feasible.
Recyclable hazardous solid waste such as used
lead-acid batteries and used oil filters, should be
stored on an impervious surface, under cover, and
sent to or picked up by an approved recyclable
materials handler. Often a recycling rebate is paid
to the marina for each battery.
Where recycling is available through the munici-
pality, it can be a cost-effective way to decrease
trash disposal costs. Public education is necessary
if a recycling program is to be effective, though
today many people recycle at their homes and
already have a "recycle" consciousness. Hazard-
ous and nonhazardous wastes are collected for
recycling separately.
Although recycling is a preferred disposal method
for reusable materials, not all municipalities
provide the service free of charge. Recycling can
The All Seasons Marina (New Jersey)
cut its trash bill in half by taking advan-
tage of the local solid waste recycling
program. The Cap Sante Boat Haven
(Washington) participates in a municipal
recycling program and saves TO to 20
percent on its annual trash removal bill.
The marina rents 28 recycling bins from
the town and places them at dock
heads for customers' convenience
(USEPA, 1996: Clean Marinas—Clear
Value).
be performed in-house, but private service
providers are often costly. In such a case, the
quantity of waste produced can be lessened by
reusing materials and sharing leftover cleaning
and maintenance supplies (e.g., excess varnish
and paint) among customers. A marina can place
a bulletin board up for notices from patrons about
extra supplies that are available or can provide
some sort of materials exchange program.
4 Encourage fishing line collection and
recycling or disposal.
Lost or discarded fishing line and netting in
aquatic environments is extremely dangerous to
aquatic life. Providing educational materials about
the dangers these materials pose and receptacles
or a location where marina patrons can dispose of
unwanted fishing line and nets could help reduce
the magnitude of the problem. Information on
debris problems is available from the Center for
Marine Conservation at .
4 Provide boaters with trash bags.
Boaters can be encouraged to bring all of the
trash they generate while boating back to an
onshore trash receptacle by providing them with a
plastic bag or other suitable trash container.
Imprinted with a marina's logo, the bag will carry
the clear message that the marina cares about the
environment.
+ Use a reusable blasting medium.
New technologies are available that make use of
a plastic blasting medium that can be reused
several times until it wears out. The medium is
used to remove antifoulant paint and is vacuumed
into a hopper along with the debris for recovery,
cleaning, and reclaiming (Figure 4-17). The much
smaller volume of debris is collected and sent to a
landfill.
+ Require patrons to clean up pet wastes and
provide a specific dog walking area at the
marina.
Where floating piers extend far from the grassy
areas of a marina, dog waste can become a
problem, leading to many complaints from staff
and boat owners. In many cities, dog owners are
required to clean up after their pets when they
4-69
-------
National Management Measures Guidance
Figure 4-17. Associated Marine Technologies
(Florida) took prevention of hull sand-blasting debris
a step further by switching from a silica wet/dry
sandblasting medium to a closed system that
employs a reusable plastic material. The facility
uses a high-capacity plastic-medium-blasting dry
stripper and a media reclaimer that recovers the
plastic material and separates it from the paint dust.
This process significantly reduces the cost of
cleanup and disposal, gives a higher-quality
surface, and is much less aggressive on the
gelcoats of fiberglass hulls (USEPA, 1996: Clean
Marinas—Clear Value)
walk them on public streets and parks. A similar
policy can take care of this problem at marinas.
BMP Summary Table 9 summarizes the BMPs
for Solid Waste Management mentioned in this
guidance.
4-70
-------
SECTION 4: Management Measures
v.
P.
cc
•a
w o o
&,-*3 2
3 '^ g
0 -Si ta
1 S o o
111
|1
3 -O c
3 a *v
!-ll
f|S
o o v4
Si
•aes
2
'=3
•51
£ a-
c T3 ra
•3 -|
ill13
11
W rO
w ^
til
^
5T1 ra
2a ^
•<3 c3
|i ^^
liai§
V3
1
Z
i B
CO O
3 2-1
s •?. I 11
B I 111 a
2s _ -- 5^ -3 «
a
a s °^
~ 0, O ^
II
s -a
•S -g a
II
O i~S
S.
« 3
I!!!
-------
National Management Measures Guidance
o
111
More practical
effective for hi
boatyards, whii
hull b
53 •§ S
•SI,
•a S «
3
ts
S3 "3
8 §
•§ &
SH3
II
*;
II
•-
«!3
NO
be c
othe
disp
urages bo
tra
, i
u
ard,
o
a;
le
it
or
n
pe
IG ost savings ca
esult by separating out
g blasting m
1 ° 1
. U Ill
a_
08
if
•e
'
"S
-
"S
•a
If
il
Is
« a
"S 2
W
a o o
, *t3 *O «
1 £ 'i
&.& s
•o 'a o
s|
4-72
-------
SECTION 4: Management Measures
4.10. FISH WASTE MANAGEMENT
Management Measure for Fish Waste Management:
Promote sound fish waste management through a combination of fish-cleaing
restrictions, public education, and proper disposal of fish waste.
Management Measure Description
Fish waste can create water quality problems at
marinas where a lot offish are landed. This might
be the case where long piers or breakwaters
provide access to deep water or accommodation
for many fishers, where fishing tournaments are
held, or at any marina during the local high fishing
season. The waste from fish cleaning shouldn't be
disposed of into a marina basin because of the
chance of overwhelming the natural ability of the.
waterbody to assimilate and decompose it. The
dissolved oxygen consumed by the decomposing
fish parts can cause anaerobic, foul-smelling
conditions. Unconsumed or floating fish parts are
also an unattractive addition to the marina prop-
erty. Fish waste is better disposed of in offshore
waters (if the state allows) where the fish are
caught, or treated as waste like any other and
deposited in trash containers.
Proper disposal of fish waste by marina patrons
helps keep marinas clean and free of waste.
Although only a few marinas deal with large
amounts of fish waste or fishing within the basin,
sport fishers can be found at most marinas, and it
is a good idea for marinas to promote proper fish
waste disposal. Fish cleaning stations provide
convenient places for marina patrons to clean fish
and dispose of their waste material, and they help
to keep the rest of the marina clean. Marina
managers often find that once a good fish clean-
ing station is available to fishing patrons, the
patrons gladly use it because gutting a fish at a
fish cleaning station avoids the mess created on a
boat or dock. Non-fishing marina patrons are
likely to appreciate not having fish waste on docks
or floating near their boats.
Some states prohibit fish waste from being
discarded in nearshore waters and require that
marinas prohibit the practice. Without a desig-
nated place to clean fish, docks, piers, and
bulkheads can become dirty quickly.
Applicability
This management measure is applicable to
marinas where fish waste is determined to be a
source of water pollution. Many of the BMPs
mentioned for this management measure are
implementable by marina patrons and are not
directly under the control of marina managers.
Best Management Practices
+ Clean fish offshore where the fish are
caught and discard of the fish waste at sea
(if allowed by the state).
Fish waste can be disposed of in the offshore
ecosystems from which the fish are caught. The
quantity offish waste produced from recreational
fishing generally should not cause any water
quality problems in open waters. Some states.
(such as Florida) require that all game fish be
brought ashore intact for measurement by fisher-
ies officials, and this management practice does
not apply.
+ Install fish cleaning stations at the marina
and at boat launch sites.
A fish cleaning station is a particular area set
aside for cleaning fish that have been caught. It
typically has a cutting table large enough to
accommodate a few to many people, a freshwater
hose or other form of running water, and recep-
tacles for the waste. Boaters and fishers can be
4-73
-------
National Management Measures Guidance
informed of the presence of the station and
encouraged to use it. To keep the stations attrac-
tive and sanitary, they should be cleaned frequently,
even as often as after each use. Making the station
convenient to use and clean will encourage people
to keep it clean themselves. Fish waste is placed in
covered containers, and the collected waste is
disposed of with other solid waste or by some
other environmentally friendly means. (Refer to
the next management practice.) If nutrient
enrichment is not a problem in regional waters,
fish cleaning stations can use garbage disposal
units to grind the waste and then send the ground
waste to a municipal sewer line for waste dis-
posal. As always, when state or local regulations
could be applicable, check with the environmental
authority to determine whether they apply.
Where extensive fishing is done from a boat
launch site, fish cleaning stations can be helpful.
Fish waste disposal is a problem at boat launch
sites because boaters return from fishing and
usually want to clean their catch before they
leave. Fish cleaning stations provide the ideal
facility where fishers can gather to discuss their
catch and clean it before heading home. As with
a marina fish cleaning station, fish waste can be
collected in covered containers and disposed of
like regular trash or ground and emptied into a
local sewage disposal system (where local
regulations permit). An alternative approach
would be to install an onsite disposal system with
a holding tank, though this is not recommended
where waterbodies have nutrient enrichment
problems.
+ Compost fish waste where appropriate.
A law passed in 1989 in New York forbids
discarding fish waste, with exceptions, into fresh
water or within 100 feet of shore. Contaminants
in some fish leave few alternatives for disposing
offish waste, so Cornell University and the New
York Sea Grant Extension Program conducted a
fish composting project to deal with the more than
2 million pounds offish waste generated by the
salmonid fishery each year. In the demonstration
project, fish parts were mixed with peat moss and
the mixture quickly turned into an excellent
compost suitable for gardens. The study found
that even with this quantity of waste, if
composting was done properly, the problems of
odor, rodents, and insects were minimal and the
process was effective. Another method of fish
waste composting, described by the University of
Wisconsin Sea Grant Institute, is suitable for
amounts of compost ranging from a bucketful to
the quantities produced by a fish-processing plant.
A local Extension Service can be contacted for
information on locally applicable composting
procedures and equipment and where supplies
can be purchased.
+ Freeze fish parts and reuse them as bait or
chum on the next fishing trip.
Fishers may consider recycling their own fish
waste into bait for their next fishing trip. The fish
parts from one fishing trip can be placed in a
plastic bag, frozen, and then used on the next
excursion as bait or offshore chum to attract
game fish.
4> Encourage catch and release fishing, which
does not kill the fish and produces no fish
waste.
The increasingly popular practice of "catch and
release" by recreational and competitive fisher-
men is reducing the fish waste problem at many
marinas.
BMP Summary Table 10 summarizes the BMPs
for Fish Waste Management mentioned in this
guidance.
4-74
-------
SECTION 4: Management Measures
•a
S
&
•a
§
.3
1
§<
, Q
-"s
8 S
an
S
-------
National Management Measures Guidance
4-76
-------
SECTION 4: Management Measures
4.11. SEWAGE FACILITY MANAGEMENT
Management Measure for Sewage Facilities:
Install pumpout, dump station, and adequate restroom facilities at marinas to
educe the release of sewage to surface waters. Design these facilities to
allow ease of access, and post signage to promote use by the boating public.
Management Measure Description
Boat sewage can be a problem when discharged
into surface waters without pretreatment. It is
similar to situations in which discharges of
municipal sewage close beaches when heavy
rainstorms overburden sewer systems and
rainwater mixed with raw sewage is discharged
directly to surface waters through combined
sewer overflows. Sewage from boats is more
concentrated than that from either combined
sewer overflows or sewage treatment plants
because marine heads use little water for
flushing and the sewage in marine heads is not
diluted by water from bathing, dishwashing, or
rain. Boat sewage contains nutrients that can
stimulate growth of aquatic plants (algae and
large aquatic plants) and pathogens (fecal
coliform bacteria and viruses), which can cause
human health problems directly through contact
in the water or indirectly through the consump-
tion of contaminated seafood.
Progress has been made toward eliminating
discharges of sanitary waste from boats v/ith the
designation of no discharge zones, installation of
pumpouts nationwide, and growing number of
boater education programs. Efforts to reduce
sewage discharges and to educate boaters about
the damage they cause need to continue, and
marinas can play a direct and important role in
these matters.
Pumpout facilities and restrooms should be
installed at new marinas and, where feasible, at
existing marinas. Most states encourage the
installation and use of pumpouts through the
federal Clean Vessel Act (CVA) Grant Program
and boater education.
Boaters and marinas are usually not considered
primary sources of pathogen contamination in
surface waters. Measurements of fecal coliform
(Escherichia coli) bacteria are used as an
indicator of sewage contamination in surface
waters. It is often hard to attribute high coliform
bacteria levels directly to any particular source,
and within an area many potential sources are
often present. Background coliform levels from
runoff polluted with pet waste and droppings of
waterfowl can be high, septic systems in an area
might be poorly maintained or operating improp-
erly, municipal sewage systems might have
leaks, and boaters in marinas might be discharg-
ing untreated or insufficiently treated waste into
surface waters. This management measure
addresses all potential sources of sewage
pollution to surface waters. Boaters and mari-
nas, in particular, have a vested interest in clean
waters, because the livelihood of marinas and
the recreational benefits boaters derive from use
of the waters are clearly linked to clean water.
Type I and II marine sanitation devices (MSDs)
are used to pretreat boat sewage before dis-
charging it overboard (except in a no discharge
zone) if not prohibited by local ordinances. In an
area designated as a no discharge zone, MSDs
of all types must be configured to prevent
discharge to surface waters and all sewage must
be pumped out. Type III MSDs are holding
tanks. They must be emptied into sewage
treatment systems and cannot be discharged
overboard. It is strongly recommended that
holding tanks equipped with Y-valves have the
valves in the closed position to prevent accidental
discharge into boating waters. Pumpout use and
no discharge zone designations have improved
4-77
-------
National Management Measures Guidance
water quality in many areas, so that shellfishing
and aquaculture, once prohibited because of high
bacterial concentrations, are allowed again. A
description of the types of MSDs is provided in
Section 3.
Chemicals are used in holding tanks to retard the
normal aerobic digestion of sewage and release of
noxious odors. Some concern has been expressed
about the effect that these chemicals might have
on municipal sewage treatment systems (that is,
the possibility of interfering with bacterial diges-
tion in the first stages of sewage treatment) when
boater sewage is transferred to a municipal
sewage system. Studies of this effect have found
that neither the chemicals nor the concentration of
marine wastes is a problem for any properly
operating public sewage treatment plant.
Two of the most important factors in successfully
preventing sewage discharge from boats are
providing adequate and reasonably available
pumpout facilities and conducting a comprehensive
boater education program. Congress passed the
Clean Vessel Act (CVA) in 1992 to help reduce
pollution from vessel sewage discharges by
providing funding to states for the installation of
adequate pumpout facilities (Figure 4-18). The act
established a 5-year (1992-1997) federal grant
program administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service that authorized funding from the Sport Fish
Restoration Account of the Aquatic Resources
Trust Fund for use by states. The act was renewed
for a second 5-year period in 1998. Grants are
available from the CVA grant program to both
private and public marinas for the construction,
renovation, operation, and maintenance of pumpout
stations and waste reception facilities. Further
information about CVA grants and the grant
program is available at the U.S. Fish and Wildlife
web site at .
Applicability
This management measure is applicable to
marinas where adequate pumpout, dump station,
and restroom facilities do not exist.
Figure 4-18. Pumpout station logo (Clean Vessel
Act).
Best Management Practices
+ Install pumpout facilities and dump stations.
Use a system compatible with the marina's
needs.
Three types of onshore sewage collection sys-
tems to handle sewage from boat holding tanks
and portable toilets are available — fixed point
systems, portable/mobile systems, and dedicated
slipside systems (Figure 4-19).
• Fixed-point systems.
Fixed-point collection systems include one or
more centrally located sewage pumpout stations.
The stations are usually located at the end of a
pier, often on a fueling dock, so that fueling and
pumpout operations can be done at the same time.
A boat that needs pumpout service moves to the
pumpout station; a flexible hose is connected to
the wastewater fitting in the hull of the boat; and
pumps or a vacuum system move the wastewater
to an onshore holding tank, a public sewer
system,a private treatment facility, or another
approved disposal facility.
• Dump stations for portable toilets.
Where boats in a marina use only small portable
(removable) toilets, a satisfactory disposal facility
is a dump station, which is fundable with a CVA
grant.
• Portable systems.
Portable/mobile systems are similar to fixed-point
systems and in some situations can be used in
4-78
-------
SECTION 4: Management Measures
Portable/mobile system,
contents emptied onshore
Figure 4-19. Examples of Pumpout systems
their place at a fueling dock. A portable unit
includes a pump and a small storage tank. The
unit is moved to a boat where the boat is docked.
The unit is connected to the deck fitting on the
vessel, and wastewater is pump'ed from the
vessel's holding tank to the pumping unit's storage
tank. When the storage tank is full, the portable
unit is taken to a location where its contents can
be discharged into a municipal sewage system or
a holding tank for removal by a septic tank
pumpout service.
Some marinas use a smaller mobile pumpout unit
that does not have a holding tank attached but
instead pumps directly from the boat, through a
pump hose, and into a hose fitting in each slip that
is connected to a below-dock, gravity-drained
sewer pipe system.
Because boaters do not have to move their boats
to a special location to use the systems and
marinas do not have to install extensive dockside
piping and pumping systems to provide pumpout
service, portable pumpout facilities might be the
most feasible, convenient, accessible, regularly
used, and affordable way to ensure
proper disposal of boat sewage.
Mobile systems have to be moved
about a marina, and this factor
should be considered when deter-
mining the correct type of system
for a marina. One type of portable/
mobile type of pumpout unit that is
popular in the Great Salt Pond in
Block Island, Rhode Island, is the
radio-dispatched pumpout boat. The
pumpout boat goes to a vessel in
response to a radio-transmitted
request, pumps the holding tank,
and then moves on to the next
vessel requesting a pumpout. This
approach eliminates the inconve-
nience of lines, docking, and
maneuvering vessels in high-traffic
areas. Pumpout boats and mobile
systems are also fundable with a
CVA grant.
• Dedicated slipside systems.
Dedicated slipside systems provide continuous
wastewater collection at select slips in a marina.
Slipside pumpouts are particularly suited to
liveaboard vessels, and dedicated slipside pumpout
points can be provided to slips designated for
liveaboards while the remainder of the marina is
served by a fixed-point or mobile pumpout
system.
In a dedicated system, direct connections are
made between the boat and a below-dock gravity-
drained sewer pipe system (Figure 4-20). This
requires use of a vacuum-type pumpout system,
which evacuates the entire line and the boat
holding tank. The landside vacuum pumpout,
which has its own holding tank, can discharge
directly into a large inground holding tank or to a
municipal sewer system.
+ Provide pumpout service at convenient
times and at a reasonable cost.
Use of pumpout stations increases if they are
made available at times of day when customers
want to use them. Pumpout availability during
4-79
-------
National Management Measures Guidance
Figure 4-20. Pumpout system at Hall of Fame
Marina (Florida). Accommodating dozens of yachts
more than 100 feet LOA, the marina's pumpout
system includes below-dock sewer pipes and
connectors of each slip (USEPA, 1996: Clean
Marinas—Clear Value).
regular marina hours or when the fuel dock is
also open (if the pumpout station is located next
to the fuel station) has been found to work well.
Pumpout stations should be available to all boats
that are able to access them and cannot be
restricted to marina members. Fees of up to $5
are federally allowed under the CVA grant
program, and high fees often decrease pumpout
use.
+ Keep pumpout stations clean and easily
accessible, and consider having marina
staff do pumpouts.
Free pumpouts are certainly an attraction for
customers, but cleanliness and ease of use are
popular features as well. Customers are more
likely to use pumpouts if they are kept clean and
neat and directions for their use are clearly
posted. Having a marina employee do pumpouts
for patrons is a real service that patrons appreci-
ate, especially if the staff person is skilled in use
of the pumpout and is knowledgeable of the
rules pertaining to marine sanitation devices
(Figure 4-21). The ability of a pumpout station to
attract new customers is magnified when
pumpouts are free and done by marina staff.
+ Provide portable toilet dump stations near
small slips and launch ramps. ••,,-••
The vast majority of boats used in the United
States are less than 26 feet in length, and more
than half are less than 18 feet in length. Of those
boats that have toilets onboard, most use portable
units designed to be carried ashore for dumping
into toilets. Boaters on these boats can be
encouraged to dispose of their waste properly by
providing portable toilet dump stations. The
stations can be placed on docks or land where
they are convenient to use and can be kept clean.
Marinas should consider making at least one
dump station available, even if the marina caters
primarily to large boats. Public launch ramps
should offer dump stations where feasible.
Figure 4-21. Management at Battery Park Marina
(Ohio) found that most customers are willing to
pump fuel but not their sewage. Dock staff at the
marina, therefore, pump out the boats. Customers
also often prefer to make a single stop for both
fuel and a pumpout, and marinas that have made
it convenient for boaters to do this (such as Battery
Park Marina and Kean's Detroit Yacht Harbor in
Michigan) have found that the arrange-ment leads
to an increase in the volume of fuel sales as well
as customer satisfaction (USEPA, 1996: Clean
Marinas—Clear Value).
4-80
-------
SECTION 4: Management Measures
4 Provide restrooms at all marinas and boat
ramps.
Clean, dry, brightly lit restrooms in marinas are
generally used in preference to boat toilets,
especially if easy to access. Restrooms are the
best way to reduce boat toilet use and thus
decrease the potential for overboard discharge of
untreated sewage. Where feasible, restrooms
should'be provided for those who use boat launch
ramps. Restrooms are also an amenity that can
increase user satisfaction.
+ Consider declaring marina waters to be a
"no discharge" area.
Federal law prohibits discharge of any untreated
sewage into all territorial waters, including coastal
waters to the 3-mile territorial limit, and inland
waters of the Nation, but does allow use of Coast
Guard-approved MSDs (Types I and II). A
private marina that is not in a federal or state-
designated no discharge zone may prohibit
sewage discharges within the marina basin, if
desired, with the addition of a clause to the slip
rental contract stating that sewage discharge is
not permitted (Figure 4-22). An attorney can add
the appropriate language. Marina-specific no
discharge policies will work if conditions are
similar to those necessary to make federal or
state-designated NDZs effective:
• Provision of adequate restroom facilities for
marina patrons.
• Convenient and low-cost or free pumpout
service at the marina.
• Adequate boater education.
• Signs that declare the marina's policy of no
discharge.
' This is NO DISCHARGE marina, "
/ - Rlease use pur cleantfestroomfe. 1
~ PJJmp'out servic's is"f reeTS> cugtOmeTs;.
^Please*'do your part to keep bur waterjclean.
Figure 4-22. An example of a sign declaring a "no
discharge" marina.
• Contract language that is legally sufficient
and easy to understand.
• Visible enforcement.
+ Establish practices and post signs to control
pet waste problems.
Many boats have dogs aboard, and the animals
need an area to relieve, themselves. The best way
to control pet sewage is to provide a special area
away from the shore for dogs to be taken and ask
owners to clean up after their pets (Figure 4-23).
A grassy area that is away from where people '
walk or children play is ideal.
+ Avoid feeding wild birds in the marina.
The popular practice of feeding wild ducks, geese,
swans, and seagulls around the docks attracts
more birds and encourages all of them to become
long-term residents at the marina. Such residential
flocks can contaminate water, foul docks, and
create a mess on boats. The best way to reduce
this water pollution source is to prohibit people
from feeding the birds.
The largest marina in the world, Marina Del Rey
(California), is owned and operated by the County
of Los Angeles. The county was forced to close
one of its popular family bathing beaches for more
than a year because of high fecal contamination in
the water. Extensive tests proved that the source
of the pollution problem was seagulls that spent
the night on the beach, not boat sewage. Within
days of stringing monofilament lines over the
beach to discourage bird visits, water quality
improved dramatically and the beach was eventu-
ally reopened.
4 Establish no discharge zones to prevent any
boat sewage from entering boating waters.
Every state has some no discharge boating waters
that prohibit release of any treated or untreated
sewage from all boats and vessels. No discharge
zones (NDZs) are established specifically to
control discharges of sewage from boats. Estab-
lishing an NDZ does not imply that other dis-
charges, such as those from municipal sewage
treatment facilities, industrial facilities, combined
sewage outfalls, septic tanks, and nonpoint source
runoff do not enter the waterbody. These sources
4-81
-------
National Management Measures Guidance
Figure 4-23. Elliott Bay Marina (Washington)
solved the problem of dog droppings on its docks
by providing free disposable plastic bags for
owners to use to clean up after their pets. This
Inexpensive solution freed staff from having to
clean the grounds of dog droppings periodically
and virtually eliminated complaints from other
boaters (USEPA, 1996: Clean Marinas—Clear
Value).
are addressed by other permitting and regulatory
programs.
EPA regulations define two types of NDZs—
those that are NDZs by nature of their geography
and those that can be designated by EPA and
states. Waterbodies of the first type include
freshwater lakes and reservoirs, and other
freshwater impoundments whose entrance and
exit points do not support traffic by the regulated
vessels, i.e., by vessels with installed toilets.
Rivers that do not support interstate vessel traffic
are also NDZs by this rule. Waterbodies of the
second type (that can be designated as NDZs by
EPA or states) include coastal waters and
estuaries, the Great Lakes and their intercon-
nected waterways, and other flowing interstate
waters that are navigable by vessels with installed
toilets. Since 1975, when EPA approved the first
state application for a no discharge zone, many
states have established NDZs. Some states,
including Michigan, Missouri, New Mexico, and
Rhode Island, have designated all their waters as
no discharge zones (Table 4-4). Most of Lake
Michigan and Lake Superior have been declared
to be NDZs.
A no discharge designation is particularly appli-
cable to inland lakes and reservoirs where
flushing may be limited, primary contact recre-
ational activities (e.g., swimming, windsurfing) are
popular, and surrounding homes might use on-site
septic systems for sewage treatment. The GVA
provides grants to coastal and inland states for
pumpout stations and waste reception facilities to
dispose of recreational boater sewage. A listing of
existing no discharge zones is presented at the
end of this management measure discussion.
For a no discharge designation to be successful,
three key elements are necessary:
• Pumpout services in the area declared to be
an NDZ should be reasonably available
when customers need them and adequate for
the number of boaters in the area.
• Boaters should be educated about the
purpose and importance of the NDZ desig-
nation, how to properly comply with the
designation, and the locations of pumpout
services.
• The NDZ designation should be strictly
enforced to ensure compliance. Enforcement
can include boat inspection to make sure that
through-hull valves from boat toilets or
holding tanks are sealed shut and that Y-
valves direct toilet waste into holding tanks.
4 Establish practices and post signs to control
pet waste problems. Establish equipment
requirement policies that prohibit the use of
Y-valves on boats on inland waters.
The U.S. Coast Guard has established equipment
requirements for vessels with onboard toilets.
Federal law prohibits the discharge of any un-
treated sewage from boats within the continental
waters of the nation, including all rivers and lakes
as well as coastal waters out to 3 nautical miles
into the ocean. These requirements typically state
that vessels must be configured so that the direct
discharge of sewage, treated or untreated, to a
waterbody is not possible. Only those relatively
4-82
-------
SECTION 4: Management Measures
Table 4-4. EPA-designated no-discharge zones in the United States (as of 2001).
States with all (or nearly all) waters designated as NDZs:
Michigan, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Mexico, Rhode Island, and Wisconsin
States with segments of their waters designated as NDZs:
California, Florida, Georgia, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Jersey, Nevada, New York, South
Carolina, Texas, and Vermont
Source: http://www.epa.gov/owow/oceans/vesseLsewage/vsdnozone.html
few boats that do travel out beyond the 3-mile
limit may use a Y-valve to discharge overboard.
The reality, however, is that many boats that
never enter the ocean have Y-valves, seacocks,
and thru-hulls installed. Most of these are boats
built before there were sufficient numbers of
pumpouts available. Y-valves (also called
"cheater valves") have no purpose other than to
bypass the holding tank to avoid using a pumpout.
Doing this is clearly illegal and bad for water
quality.
As with no-discharge policies, for laws that
require specific equipment or configurations on
boats to work, sufficient and suitable facilities for
disposing of any waste (pumpout services or
dump stations) should be available.
Another essential factor that promotes boater
compliance is enforcement of regulations. On
Lake Winnepeasaukee (New Hampshire), every
boat is inspected for having a holding tank and no
Y-valve or thru-hull discharge fitting. When a
thru-hull fitting is discovered, it must be plugged
solid before the boat may be used on the lake.
This enforcement has been done successfully for
over 30 years by state inspectors at all public
launch ramps and by staff in private marinas
around the lake.
BMP Summary Table 11 summarizes the BMPs
for Sewage Facility Management mentioned in
this guidance.
Dramatic improvement in water quality
have been recorded where pumpouts
have been installed and their use
enforced. Water testing in Avalon
Harbor (California) and Block Island
(Rhode Island) following implementation
of no discharge designations revealed
significant decreases in fecal coliform
bacteria concentrations during the
boating season. In Rhode Island, the
decrease permitted the opening of a
major shellfish bed on Block Island
after 13 years of summer closure.
4-83
-------
National Management Measures Guidance
2
i
2
•
„
<
.
T"
C
:
G
M
|
V.
,
elease of sewage to surface
1
1
1
K
o
i
_B
ra
S
•3
a
&
0
1
ra .
> c.
^ ?*"
G *•
« &
•0 g>
im facilities where neede
promote use by the boatii
. f *1*»* J
5 o
iut, dump station, and resti
F access, and post signage t
0.0
3 43
L ^*
*
i 0
• M
ige discharged from boats
L loading to the waterbody.
hey use oxygen needed by
us.
1| J:
O O to
«> ° <2 -
*O *S fe J
^ t«_4 ^ c
ID O C i
•s a „ i
J3 S ra :
GO 3 O ^
g 0 t/j 2
5 S.8.1
» _j ed 1
1 III
w o > B
&&•*'£.
la. a s
S s.-S |
H M ? ^
•*-* c3 «r S
3 S [§ .E
O O hn T
dumped overboard with
s very concentrated and <
imulate the growth of alj
Dntaminate shellfish, leai
S « « °.
vage can be a problem whi
t plant outfall, boat sewagi
dissolved oxygen and can
age goes overboard, it can
§ S 8 g
13 § 2 "
o « « T?
!ONCERNS:B
pical sewage tre
xtra nutrients th
;. When untreate
H « "S .2
g a "§ 1
5 S o £f
3 "S "3 u
•e£ w o &
Mf!
' g ™ «
Is II
ACTICES
H
^
^
MANAGEMEI
H
)
'.
i
s
08 ^
B 0
.2 u
'S a) J
I- 0 ,
O* ff3 f>
O S o
"3 's &
1 '"
0 Jjjjj;
"*
^
O "S
•a J
.« tE
S*
Projected
Environmental
Benefits
Benefits to Marina
0
X
3
i
itl
g S3 1
Sue
!•! 8
s § a
co a "S
III
! c/J Ci
BJl-a
N Is
It 8. 5
si S a
lit!
Pumpouts should be made
available during normal
marina hours or when the fuel
dock is also open during the
boating season
1
«
w
Q
O
S
2
j£
S
1
0
1}
1
Q
3
HIGH; providrng
convenient pumpouts
encourages use and
therefore reduces direct
discharge of sewage into
nearshore waters
MODERATE; low fees (up
to $5) or free service and
pumpouts done by marina
staff attract customers
•^
'a
3
J
3
3" u
ll
« i
| 8
' a
i S
ll
j 8 „
J-J §
a|^
I 3 2
s c w
i O S
JH O C
bo
.fcj
1
1
1
us
e
2
Q
o
2
^
s
I
2
n
1
^
D
•s.
HIGH; pumpouts reduce
dkect discharge of sewage
into nearshore waters
MODERATE to HIGH;
pumpout service at a marini
can attract new customers,
especially when customers
do not have to pump their
own boats
3
3
£
j. |
11 1
S § £
0
3 {3
iLi
s li %•
y~> A -.
1=3-5 •§
3-S|!g
I -2 -| 1
^ a § *
i •§ i B
One dump station may be all
that a drystack or small boat
marina needs; use signs to
indicate proper dump station
use; portable toilets should
never be dumoed overboard
E
2
w
Q
O
S
2
p£
S
E
3
§
2
•^
HIGH; providing
convenient portable toilet
dump stations encourages
use and therefore reduces
direct discharge of sewage
into nearshore waters
! MODERATE; makes it
convenient for boaters to
empty their portable toilet
and reduces chances of
unsightly and unsanitary
spills
5, •g
1 "o
1 £H
13 >»
II
ill
i!i
In
•s S.S
> rH^ M
2 § .&1
Clean, dry, convenient
restrooms; bright lights and
pleasant odor are important
g
•£
w
Q
o
2
^
S
2
2
2
3
i
a
0
§
HIGH; good restrooms get
used and reduce boat
toilet use, and hence
overboard discharge
HIGH; clean bathrooms
attract customers; marina
surveys show that a good
restroom is a major reason
why boaters select a marina
Marina dockside;
universally
recommended
'ES w
I a-
O O
O ,Q
\ "2
2 §
j W
n
4-84
-------
SECTION 4: Management Measures
•g E •§>
.ciaMT^
•3 I a
| 8
* g
tfll
!a||
S -2 3 M
~ « „ .9
-------
National Management Measures Guidance
4-86
-------
SECTION 4: Management Measures
4.12. MAINTENANCE OF SEWAGE FACILITIES
Management Measure for Maintenance of Sewage Facilities:
Ensure that sewage pumpout facilities are maintained in operational condition
and encourage their use.
Management Measure Description
Boaters are becoming increasingly aware of the
need to protect the environment and of their role
in maintaining healthy waters. Boaters today want
to do what is proper for the environment, and
maintaining sewage facilities in good operating
condition at all times so that they are always
accessible to boaters helps boaters achieve their
environmental goals. This measure is important
because it is the simplest and most effective way
to prevent the failure of sewage facilities and to
ensure their availability to boaters.
Sewage collection facilities, including sewage
pumpout stations and portable toilet dump stations,
help reduce the release of untreated sewage into
marina and surface waters. Boaters can use the
facilities, however, only when the facilities are
operating properly. Nonfunctioning sewage
collection and disposal facilities present a serious
obstacle to boaters whose holding tanks are full,
and in such circumstances boaters are left with
few choices for sewage disposal—travel else-
where to find an operable pumpout or dump
station, discharge sewage directly overboard, or
cease using their boat toilets. The first of these
options is very inconvenient; the second is illegal
in no discharge zones and legal otherwise only
through an approved marine sanitation device in
appropriate waters; and the third would mean
"stop using the boat" to many boaters. Also, an
inoperable pumpout or dump station at one marina
can create an excessive demand at stations in the
same area that are operable. Long lines at the
pumpouts can result, and these can be discourag-
ing and tempt people to discharge illegally. Finally,
if pumpouts are free to those with slips at a marina
and the pumpout at that marina is inoperable,
patrons will not likely be pleased with having to pay
for a pumpout elsewhere.
Applicability
This management measure is applicable to
marinas with sewage disposal facilities.
Best Management Practices
f Regularly inspect and maintain sewage
facilities.
Sewage disposal facilities can be kept operating
properly with regular inspection and maintenance.
Routine maintenance, performed according to
instructions that come with the unit, can be done
by marina staff, with major problems referred to
qualified service personnel. Routine inspections of
marina waste holding tanks and secondary
containment areas will ensure their integrity. If
septic tanks and leach fields are used for final
disposal, the tanks will function most efficiently
and at least cost if they are pumped out regularly
to prevent overflows and clogging.
Boatyards and marina facilities capable of
servicing and repairing boat toilet and holding tank
systems can promote annual marine sanitation
device inspections and maintenance by offering
this service to boat owners. During the off season
or winter storage months, this service can gener-
ate additional income for a marina. It is also one
way that marinas can play a proactive role in boater
education and the promotion of environmental
awareness.
* Disinfect the suction connection of a
pumpout station (stationary or portable) by
dipping it into or spraying it with
disinfectant.
4-87
-------
National Management Measures Guidance
Although not a practice to protect water quality,
part of pumpout station maintenance is protecting
pumpout operators, whether marina staff or
boaters, against infection and illness. Risk of
contact with bacteria or viruses while handling the
pumpout nozzle can be minimized by providing a
pail that contains water and a nontoxic disinfec-
tant, such as common bleach, next to the pumpout
station. The nozzle end can be dipped into the pail
immediately following each use. Care should be
taken to ensure that the disinfectant solution does
not spill into marina waters. The mildest, least
harmful disinfectant that will do the job is the best
choice for this purpose. Use of the disinfectant
solution can be added to instructions provided on
how to use the pumpout.
* Maintain convenient, clean, dry, and
pleasant restroom facilities in the marina.
An effective way to encourage boaters to dispose
of their sewage properly and not to discharge it
overboard is to have good shoreside restroom
facilities available for customers and guests.
Surveys have shown that a factor important to
boaters when selecting a marina is the cleanliness,
condition, and convenience of its restrooms. The
surveys show that boaters prefer to use restrooms
that are
• Clean and dry
• Close to docks and accessible at all hours
• Well maintained and brightly lit
• Free of insects
• Amply supplied with toilet paper and hand
towels
• Equipped with private showers and dressing
rooms
• Safe
+ Maintain a dedicated fund and issue a
contract for pumpout and dump station
repair and maintenance.
Marinas and launch ramps can establish dedicated
funds specifically to maintain pumpouts and dump
stations in continuous operational condition. If a
CVA grant was used to purchase and install the
sewage station, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
4-88 ~
requires that pumpout equipment be maintained in
operational condition for boater use.
BMP Summary Table 12 summarizes the BMPr
for Sewage Facility Maintenance mentioned ir
this guidance.
-------
SECTION 4: Management Measures
4-89
-------
National Management Measures Guidance
4-90
-------
SECTION 4: Management Measures
4.13. BOATING CLEANING
Management Measure for Boat Cleaning:
For boats that are in the water, perform cleaning operations to minimize, to the
extent practicable, the release to surface waters of (a) harmful cleaners and
solvents and (b) paint from in-water hull cleaning
Management Measure Description
Preventing the entry of chemicals from boat
cleaners, cleaning solvents, and antifoulant paint
into marina waters is the most direct way to
prevent harm to the aquatic environment from
these products. The management practices
associated with this management measure are
easily implemented. They can be practiced by
boat owners and marina managers alike, and they
do not interfere with the need to keep boats clean.
Marina employees and boat owners use a variety
of boat cleaners, such as teak cleaners, fiberglass
polishers, and detergents, and boats are usually
cleaned while in the water or onshore adjacent to
the water. Some of the cleaner used ultimately
ends up in the water. Additionally, when boat
bottoms are cleaned aggressively while boats are
in the water, antifouling paint can be abraded off
and deposited into marina waters and sediments.
This management measure is aimed at minimizing
the release of harmful ingredients in cleaners,
bottom paints, and harmful residues on boat hulls
to marina basin waters.
Many cleaners contain harsh chlorine, ammonia,
phosphates, and other caustic chemicals that harm
fish and other aquatic life. If a product's label
warns about potential harm to people's skin or
eyes, the product is most likely harmful to aquatic
life. Some chemicals in these cleaners
bioaccumulate in aquatic organisms (that is, they
become more concentrated as they are ingested
successively by animals higher on the food chain)
and could eventually bioaccumulate in fish or
shellfish that are be eaten by people, posing a
health risk.
Under the Clean Water Act, the NPDES Storm
Water Permit Program defines boat wash water
as "processed water." Discharge of any processed
water by a marina or boatyard is illegal nationwide
without a formal permit from EPA or a state
government. This permit requirement does not
apply to boat owners who are cleaning their own
boats, but it does apply to anyone who profession-
ally cleans boats in a marina.
If work is done sensibly, chemicals and debris
from washing boat topsides, decks, and wetted
hull surfaces while boats are in the water can be
kept out of the water.
Cleaning boats that are transported from one
waterbody to another is important to preventing
the spread of exotic species, and it is a highly
recommended practice.
Applicability
This management measure primarily concerns the
actions of boat owners, and the BMPs are to be
implemented primarily by individual boat owners.
The information contained here is provided to
educate marina managers about the importance of
these measures in maintaining a clean marina, and
marina managers are encouraged to incorporate
the BMPs mentioned here into education pro-
grams and staff activities.
Best Management Practices
+ Wash boat hulls above the .waterline by
hand. Where feasible, remove boats from
the water and clean them where debris can
be captured and properly disposed of.
4-91
-------
National Management Measures Guidance
Washing the boat hull by hand (that is, not by
pressure washing) reduces the amount of abra-
sion to the hull, which results in less paint chipped
off and less debris lost to the marina basin. Where
feasible, remove boats from the water and clean
them where debris can be captured and properly
disposed of.
+ Attempt to wash boats frequently enough
that the use of cleansers will not be neces-
sary.
Frequent washings with water alone can prevent
a boat from reaching a point at which abrasive or
caustic cleansers are necessary to adequately
clean the hull or topsides. This practice will help
prevent the possibility of spilling chemicals into the
water.
* If using cleansers, buy and use ones that
will have minimal impact on the aquatic
environment.
"Nontoxic" and "phosphate-free" cleaners are
available and friendlier to the environment than
products with toxic components. Products that
carry safety warnings about the harm they can
cause to people (Figure 4-24) can harm the
environment as well.
Although "biodegradable" sounds good, it does not
mean that a product is nontoxic. Biodegradable
products are those which can be broken down by
bacteria, other organisms, or natural processes.
The degradation of "biodegradable" products in
water uses dissolved oxygen, and therefore these
products can lower dissolved oxygen levels. Also,
some products might not biodegrade in aquatic
environments—freshwater or marine.
4 Switch to long-lasting and low-toxicity or
nontoxic antifouling paints.
Considerable progress has been made in antifoul-
ing paint technology in recent years, and more
improvements are expected that will reduce and
effectively eliminate the toxicity of hull paints and
increase their ability to keep hulls free of fouling
growth for longer periods. Silicone-based and
hard-surfaced, nonablative copper metal-based
paints are such recent innovations. In general,
harder paints last longer, and some reduce the
need to repaint boat bottoms to once every 10
years. More information on antifoulant paints and
specifications is available on the Internet (search
on "antifoulants") or can be provided by a marine
paint supplier. • - •
4 Avoid in-the-water hull scraping or any
abrasive process done underwater that
could remove paint from the boat hull.
Any hull cleaning performed in the water will
remove the least amount of paint if done with
something soft. Mechanical underwater scrubbing
machines can scrape and chip off antifouling paint
and encourage fouling growth on the hull.
Frequent hand washing of hulls should not cause
any paint to abrade or chip off but can adequately
remove scum and fouling organisms.
In-the-water hull cleaning performed by divers
should also be done in a manner that does not
remove paint from the hull.
* Ensure that adequate precautions have
been taken to minimize the spread of exotic
and invasive species when boats are trans-
ferred from one waterbody to another.
Boat owners should be aware of the importance
of thoroughly cleaning boats taken from waters
known to be inhabited by exotic or invasive
species. Some species can be introduced to new
waterbodies this way. Generally, the spread of
exotic and invasive species can be controlled by
washing a boat in hot water and letting it thor-
oughly dry for a minimum of 5 days before putting
the boat into a different waterbody. The recom-
WARNING: EYE IRRITANT. Avoid contact with'eyes. May cause skin irritation. For sensitive
skin or prolonged use wear gloves. Use with adequate ventifatiorf. FIRST AID: EYES—rinse'
eyes with water for 15 minutes, call a physician. SKIN—rinse with water. IF SWALLOWED—
drink a glassful of water. Call a physician. KEEP.OUT OF REACH OF CHILDREN. „
Figure 4-24. Warning sign that indicates toxicity to both people and the environment.
4-92
-------
SECTION 4: Management Measures
Associated Marine Technologies (Florida) installed a closed-loop pressure washing system for
boat bottoms.
• Green Cove Marina (New Jersey) designed its own sump drain system and lift pump under the
boat lift. The system pushes dirty water into a filter and recycling system consisting of three
55-gallon filtering drums and a 225-gallon holding tank. The debris is dried and sent to a landfill.
• Harbour Towne Marina (Florida) installed a wastewater filtration system to clean the power wash
water to meet the county's gray water standards for discharge into the municipal sewer system.
A concrete washing pad slopes down to a central drain, where the washwater is filtered and
treated with three different chemicals. The marina hauled and washed 650 boats in the
1994-1995 season.
• Summerfield Boat Works (Florida) installed a water filtration system that includes an ultraviolet
light ozone generator to oxidize all dissolved pollutants and erase odor. The wastewater is then
recycled within the marina. The boatyard pays for its wastewater treatment program by charging
an Environmental Cost Obligation for each boat hauled for pressure washing.
(USEPA, 1996: Clean Marina—Clear Value)
mendations for specific species vary, and informa-
tion should be provided to boaters about any
exotic or invasive species known to occur in
waterbodies connected to a marina's waters, or
where patrons from a marina are known to visit.
4 Minimize the impacts of wastewater from
pressure washing.
There are several ways to treat the wastewater
from pressure washing to remove the paint chips
or particles that might be present:
• Settling: Trap the water in a container and
allow it to sit long enough after washing to
permit any particles to settle out of the
water. This method will remove only the
particles large enough to settle out of
solution.
• Filtration: Wastewater can be passed
through one or more filters that screen out
particles. A filter cloth used at the wash site
can be effective for straining out visible
particles. Additional filtration is achieved by
using a series of filters with smaller and
smaller mesh sizes.
• Treatment: Chemical or biological cleaning
technologies can be used to treat the waste-
water and remove contaminants. Treatment
can remove oil and grease, metals, or other
contaminants. Once wastewater has been
treated, it can be discharged into marina
waters or a sanitary sewer (check local
regulations) or can be reused at the marina
for more boat washing or grounds watering.
Effluent from pressure washing usually requires a
storm water discharge permit, issued by the state
or locality. Closed loop or zero discharge pressure
wash systems usually do not require a permit.
Check with the appropriate environmental author-
ity before discharging any effluent to a sewer
system.
BMP Summary Table 13 summarizes the BMPs
for Boat Cleaning mentioned in this guidance.
4-93
-------
r
National Management Measures Guidance
4-94
-------
SECTION 4: Management Measures
4.14. BOAT OPERATION
Management Measure for Boat Operation:
Manage boating activities where necessary to decrease turbidity and physical
destruction of shallow water habitat
Management Measure Description
No wake zones, motorized craft restrictions, and
sign and buoy placement are widely used prac-
tices for protecting shallow-water habitats.
Important aquatic vegetation should be protected
from damage due to boat and personal watercraft
propellers because of its ecological importance
and value in preventing shoreline erosion. This
management measure presents effective, easily
implemented practices for protecting aquatic
vegetation and shorelines.
Boat traffic (including personal watercraft)
through shallow-water areas and in nearshore
areas at wake-producing speeds can resuspend
bottom sediment, uproot submerged aquatic
vegetation, erode shorelines, and harm some
animals, including manatees. Resuspended
sediment and erosion along shorelines increases
turbidity in the water column. Turbid waters can't
support submerged aquatic vegetation to the same
depths as clear waters because sunlight can't
penetrate to as great a depth. With photosynthesis
limited to the upper foot or so of water, less
dissolved oxygen is produced.
Fish that locate prey primarily by sight have a
harder time finding prey in turbid waters. Plant
leaves can become coated with fine sediment, and
bottom-dwelling organisms are continually cov-
ered by resettling sediment.
Resuspended sediment can also contain harmful
chemicals that were discharged at the marina or
elsewhere in the watershed and had been trapped
in the sediment. Once in the water column, these
chemicals are more likely to be ingested by fish
and shellfish and to work their way up the food
chain, possibly to someone's dinner table.
Uprooted submerged aquatic vegetation can no
longer provide habitat for fish and shellfish or food
for waterfowl. Instead of recycling nutrients
released from matter decomposing in the
waterbody, the vegetation adds more nutrients as
it decomposes. It also cannot reduce wave energy
at shorelines, so the shorelines become more
exposed to the erosive forces of storm waves and
the boat wakes that contributed to their initial loss.
Replacing submerged aquatic vegetation once it
has been uprooted or eliminated from an area is
difficult, and the science of replacing it once it is
lost is not well developed.
Many manatee mortalities are human-related,
occurring from collisions with watercraft, and
restrictions on boating activity in shallow water
habitats favored by the animals could reduce the
number of animals injured by propellers. West
Indian manatees (Trichechus manatus) are found
in shallow, slow-moving rivers, estuaries, saltwater
bays, canals, and coastal areas. They are a
migratory species, and in the United States they
are concentrated in Florida in the winter but can be
found in summer months as far west as Alabama
and as far north as Virginia and the Carolinas.
There are about 2,600 West Indian manatees left in
the United States.
Manatees are protected under federal law by the
Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972 and the
Endangered Species Act of 1973, which make it
illegal to harass, hunt, capture, or kill any marine
mammal. They are also protected by the Florida
Manatee Sanctuary Act of 1978, which states:
4-95
-------
National Management Measures Guidance
Guidelines for Responsible Personal Watercraft Operation
Personal watercraft, include jet skis and waterbikes, are propelled by waterjet drives, have shallow
draft designs, and are able to achieve planing speeds (65 mph and higher). Approximately one-
third of all new boat sales in recent years have been personal watercraft. They are defined as
Class A inboard boats by the U.S. Coast Guard and are required to follow most boating regula-
tions. The personal watercraft industry encourages users of personal watercraft to adopt the
following simple guidelines to preserve natural resources:
• Ride in main channels to avoid stirring bottom sediments; limit riding in shallow water. ;
• In coastal areas, be aware of low tide when seagrass beds, other delicate vegetation, and ; •
bottom organisms are more exposed. . .
• Operate away from shore as much as possible to avoid disturbing wildlife with wakes and
noise and to avoid interfering with their feeding, nesting, and resting.
• Ride at controlled speeds in waters where sea otters, sea lions, manatees, whales, and sea
turtles live and swim, so you can avoid hitting and injuring them.
• Avoid mangrove communities, kelp forests, seagrass beds, and coral reefs, since these are
delicate ecosystems that are easily damaged.
• Avoid high speeds near the shore to minimize or eliminate your contribution to shoreline
erosion.
• Wash your personal watercraft off after use and before trailering it to other waters to avoid
spreading exotic, nonnative species to un infected waters.
(PWIA, 1999)
"It is unlawful for any person, at any time,
intentionally or negligently, to annoy, molest,
harass, or disturb any manatee." Anyone con-
victed of violating Florida's state law faces a
possible maximum fine of $1,000 and/or imprison-
ment for up to 60 days. Conviction on the federal
level is punishable by a fine of up to $50,000 and/
or 1 year in prison.
The manatee is mentioned to illustrate the harm
that can be done to aquatic life by boats. Species
other than manatees, such as seals or dolphins,
might be more likely to be affected by boat
operation in other regions of the country. The
state natural resources agency can be contacted
for state- or region-specific information.
Applicability
This management measure is applicable to state
natural resource managers. Marina managers and
boaters can become involved in efforts to protect
sensitive aquatic habitats.
Best Management Practices
+ Restrict boater traffic in shallow-water
areas.
Where shallow areas that normally have sub-
merged aquatic vegetation are found instead to
have trenches (usually 10 to 24 inches wide)
without vegetation running through them, boat
propellers or personal watercraft are probably the
reason. Seagrass beds usually grow in patches;
the center of the patch is protected from erosive
currents by vegetation at the edge of the patch.
Trenches cut by boat propellers act like roads cut
through a forest, exposing the center of the patch
to currents and making the entire patch less
stable. The sediment in the trench is also newly
exposed to currents, making it difficult for new
vegetation to establish itself. Further loss of
submerged aquatic vegetation and sediment next
to the trenches is likely after the initial loss.
4-96
-------
SECTION 4: Management Measures
To protect seagrass beds and bottom habitats,
shallow-water areas can be established as "off
limits" to boat traffic of any type, including
personal watercraft. Signs or buoys in the water
around the edges of these areas can help the
public comply with shallow habitat protection
efforts. Distribution of flyers with maps that show
shallow areas and indicate permanent landmarks,
so boaters can easily determine whether they are
near shallow areas, is another effective tool.
Boaters usually try to protect these habitats once
they understand their ecological importance and
are aware of their presence. Shallow-water
habitat destruction is due more to a lack of
knowledge than to negligence.
+ Establish and enforce no wake zones to.
decrease turbidity, shore erosion, and
damage in marinas.
No wake zones are more effective than speed
limits in shallow surface waters for reducing
turbidity and erosion caused by boat passage. Hull
shape strongly influences wake formation,
allowing some boats to go fast with little wake
while other boats throw a large wake at slow,
nonplaning speeds. In shallow areas, larger waves
from the wakes of "speed-limited" watercraft are
more likely to resuspend bottom sediments and
create turbid waters.
Although the prime responsibility for creating,
enforcing, and posting signs for no wake zones
rests with government, marinas can (and many
do!) post NO WAKE signs within their marina
waters.
BMP Summary Table 14 summarizes the BMPs
for Boat Operation mentioned in this guidance.
4-97
-------
National Management Measures Guidance
'€
•55
•3
M
11-81
ill**
> g *§)•
38?
P m
tg^iii
«!
I if I
WJ
»•-? 3 tf
: * ^ S
' "S T3 O
GO"
.3
U
.o
gi
•a a-a
4-98
-------
SECTION 4: Management Measures
4.15. PUBLIC EDUCATION
Management Measure for Public Education:
Public education, outreach, and training programs should be instituted for
boaters, as well as marina owners and operators, to prevent improper
disposal of polluting material.
Management Measure Description
Public education is one of the most effective
ways to reduce pollution in and around marinas
and from recreational boating. A boating public
that understands the causes and effects of
pollution is more likely to want clean waters and
healthy aquatic environments. If the public is told
about the simple and effective ways that they can
reduce their impacts on the environment, they are
usually happy to do their part. One of the primary
factors in the success of any pollution prevention
program is widespread support for the program by
an educated public.
Public education is a low-cost, effective, proven
method to improve and reinforce environmentally
conscious behavior in all segments of the public,
including the boating public. The availability of a
variety of public education materials on virtually
all environmental issues and for all segments of
the public makes this management measure easy
to implement, and creating an education program
with a message that is consistent from the state
level through the local level to the level of the
private or public marina is an excellent way to
ensure that the right message is reaching as wide
a public as possible.
Many states, localities, public and private agencies
and organizations, and marina owners are using
public education as a tool for combating pollution.
This management measure supports efforts
already being made and encourages others to join
the educational campaign with public education
programs of their own. A state might target
registered boat owners, an organization might
target its membership, and a marina might focus
on its patrons. Numerous examples of public
education materials are available from national
organizations like the National Marine Manufac-
turers Association, the National Clean Boating
Campaign organized by the Marine Environmental
Education Foundation, Inc. (or MEEF)
(www.cleanboating.org), the National Oceanic
and Atmospheric Administration's Sea Grant
program (www.nsgo.seagrant.org), and EPA's
Office of Water (www.epa.gov/OW). There is no
reason to reinvent the wheel! Instead, time and
effort can be saved by using available materials to
create a program that focuses on a particular
situation.
The EPA web site offers a couple of ways to find
out who is involved in environmental activities in
your watershed. One is from the homepage of
the Office of Wetlands, Oceans, and Watersheds
(OWOW), . A listing of
specific groups involved in actions for water-
sheds throughout the United States can be found
at the Surf Your Watershed homepage,
. At this page, do the
following:
• Click on Locate your watershed.
• Click on Search by Map.
• Select your state from the map.
• Within the state map, click on the watershed
you're interested in.
The subsequent web page will tell you the name
of the watershed you've chosen and the U.S.
Geological Survey's cataloging unit number for it.
Near the bottom of the page will be a section
titled People that provides links to groups involved
4^99
-------
National Management Measures Guidance
with watershed protection activities in that
watershed.
Another way to find out who is involved in
activities in your watershed from EPA's
homepage (www.epa.gov) is by clicking on the
Concerned Citizens option. One of the options at
the Concerned Citizens page is Acting Locally.
This option provides links to national organizations
active at the local and watershed levels.
If you find that there are no groups listed as
working in your watershed, try following the first
three steps above, and at the Watershed Infor-
mation page, under Working in Your Watershed,
click on either How can I get involved in my
watershed? or How do I start a watershed
team? to find out how you can get yourself and
others involved.
EPA publishes many documents and fact sheets
on topics of interest to boaters. A list of publica-
tions related to a specific topic can be obtained
from the EPA homepage (www.epa.gov). At the
homepage, select Publications and then browse
and search the National Publications Catalog
using keywords such as "boat," "storm water," or
"discharge" to find what you are interested in.
Some of the documents are available on the
Internet, or they can be ordered on-line from the
Publications web site. Most are free of charge.
The National Sea Grant Program encourages the
wise stewardship of marine resources through
research, education, outreach, and technology
transfer. Sea Grant is a partnership between the
Nation's universities and the National Oceanic
and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
Congress passed the National Sea Grant College
Program Act to create Sea Grant in 1966. Today
29 Sea Grant Colleges are focused on making the
United States the world leader in marine research
and the sustainable development of marine
resources. Sea Grant produces and makes
available a wealth of information on marine
topics—from public school curriculum materials to
the most advanced scientific research. Visit the
Sea Grant homepage (www.nsgo.seagrant.org) to
see what publications are available, where the
Sea Grant programs are located, and what kinds
of research and activities they are involved in.
The U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) homepage at
offers a link to the USCG
Marine Safety and Environmental Protection
page. Links to other programs from the USCG
can be found most easily by clicking on the link to
Services We Provide and then choosing what is
of interest on the subsequent page. For example,
the Sea Partners Campaign is an environmental
education and outreach program focused on
communities at large to develop community
awareness of maritime pollution issues and to
improve compliance with marine environmental
protection laws and regulations. A link to listings
of publications of the USCG is also provided at
this web page. ]
Searching through an Internet search engine, such
as Infoseek or Altavista, on clean boating should
produce a number of links to sites with informa-
tion on campaigns and organizations involved with
clean boating issues. A few of the pages likely to
appear as a result of the search are:
• California Clean Boating Network (CCBN)
homepage, .
• California Department of Boating and Water-
ways, .
• Sea Grant Extension (San Diego) Boating
Pollution Prevention Section,
.
A portion of funding from the Clean Vessel Act
can be used for educational outreach regarding
the effects of boater sewage and what boaters
can do to avoid improper sewage disposal. Public
awareness campaigns occur annually, and mari-
nas are encouraged to participate in the National
Clean Boating Campaign (Figure 4-25). Visit the
campaign's web site at .
Major national CVA educational products pro-
duced by the joint effort have included a poster
for distribution to more than 22,000 marinas, press
4-100
-------
SECTION 4: Management Measures
NATIONAL
CLEAN BOATING
CAMPAIGN
Figure 4-25. National Clean Boating Campaign logo.
and training packets, and various public service
announcements for radio, television, and print
media. States have also held similar events and
are producing their own educational products.
These efforts are also geared toward informing
boaters and marina operators of sewage disposal
problems, educating them about the use and
advantages of pumpout and dump stations, and
where it is best to locate such stations. Boaters
and anglers can call 1-800-ASK-FISH, a toll-free
number established by the Sportfishing Promotion
Council, to find the location of pumpout and dump
stations near them and to report malfunctioning
facilities.
Signage is an important element in any public
education campaign, both to remind the educated
to practice what they know and to educate the
unaware of what they can do to reduce their
impact on the environment. Short, simple, positive
messages should be prominently posted wherever
they will be helpful.
Applicability
This management measure is applicable to all
groups and entities involved in boater education.
Effective education programs can be implemented
by states, organizations, or marina managers.
Best Management Practices
+ Use signs to inform marina patrons of
appropriate clean boating practices.
Interpretive and instructional signs placed at
marinas and boat-launching sites are a key
method of providing information to the boating
public. Boater cooperation can be substantially
increased at modest expense by using signs.
In a Rhode Island best management practice
demonstration project, the use of signs was
ranked by boaters as the best method to inform
them about best management practices in the
marina. It ranked second in terms of its effective-
ness for getting boaters to use best management
practices. Signs can be more cost-effective than
other methods of education because they need be
installed only once, and once in place they are
effective for a long time. Inexpensive yet effec-
tive signs can be produced by a marina employee
with a little artistic talent. Common topics for
marina signage include solid waste disposal, liquid
waste disposal, pumpout locations and instruc-
tions, and spill response instructions. Figure 4-26
shows an example of wording on a sign in Ponaug
Marina (Rhode Island).
In areas where boaters are of various ethnic and
cultural backgrounds, publishing education materi-
als in the various languages appropriate to the
region is encouraged.
4 Establish bulletin boards for environmental
messages and idea sharing.
Bulletin boards are a form of signage, and they
allow marinas to post recent or new information
The Cap Sante Boat Yard (Washington)
uses a materials exchange sheet in the
harbor master's office that encourages
sharing leftover varnishes, paints, and
other boat maintenance products
instead of discarding them. People
with materials left over after a project
list what they have on a sheet, and
anyone who needs them can contact
the person on the sheet (USEPA, 1996:
Clean Marinas— Clear Value).
4-101
-------
National Management Measures Guidance
HARMFUL MATERIALS COLLECTION! SITE, To ensure proper disposal, deposit hafmfuljna|efials- '<•
below. Liquids such as solvents, fuels, engine oils,~ and toxkfantifreeze'shoulcf ,b© bottiedfand1
capped to prevent spillage. Keep incompatible liquids such as oil and antifreeze separate. Label alf
containers noting their content and origtnrOil fllt¥rs"and'pthe'r absdrbenlmafe"rialishouldbe ,,_. '>"
packaged so as to prevent leakage. Thank you'for hefping.to kef p our marina and the boating^
envionrment clean.
Figure 4-26. Sign with instructions to patrons on proper disposal of materials.
for the benefit of their patrons. They are conve-
nient places to post notices about the availability
of dustless sanders for rent, environmentally
friendly cleaners and antifouling paints, new
practices and programs at the marina for reducing
pollution, water quality monitoring results, how to
maintain an engine to keep emission output low, or
any other positive clean boating message. Marina
patrons can be invited to post notices about
leftover products (for example, varnish or paint)
they have for sale or tips on practices they've
found to be easy and effective for protecting the
boating environment.
Bulletin boards are noticed more often if their
contents are moved around or changed often and
if the location of the bulletin board is changed
occasionally as well.
+ Promote recycling and trash reduction
programs.
A New Jersey marina encouraged recycling by
giving its patrons reusable tote bags with the
manna's name printed on the side. The patrons
used the bags to temporarily store recyclable
glass, cans, and plastics from then- boats for
proper disposal later at a recycling collection
point, and occasionally for grocery shopping.
Promoting recycling is an effective way to reduce
the quantity of solid and liquid waste placed in
marina and surface waters.
4 Hand out pamphlets or flyers, send newslet-
ters, and add inserts to bill mailings with
information about how recreational boaters
can protect the environment and have clean
boating -waters.
The Washington State Parks and Recreation
Commission designed a multifaceted public
education program that encourages the use of
marine sanitation devices and pumpout facilities,
discourages impacts on shellfish areas, and
4-102
provides information to boaters and marina
operators about environmentally sound boat
operation and maintenance. The commission
prepared written materials, gave talks to boating
groups, participated in events such as boat shows,
and developed signs for placement at marinas and
boat launches. Printed materials included maps of
pumpout facility locations, booklets explaining how
boats pollute, pamphlets on the dangers of plastic
debris in the water, and articles on the environ-
mental effects of improper boat operation.
Marina owners can do the same on a smaller
scale. Written materials can be made available at
a marina's office, its supply store, or other places
frequently visited by boaters or included with bills
mailed to patrons.
Fact sheets ranked second among boaters for
informing them about best management practices
in a University of Rhode Island demonstration
project. Fact sheets had the highest effectiveness
rating and ranked first in getting boaters to
actually use best management practices, but
boaters generally didn't pick up educational flyers
where they saw them. An important lesson from
this demonstration project was that boaters cannot
be expected to voluntarily take the information:
brochures should be placed directly into their
hands. Inserting fact sheets and information in
newsletters or monthly mailings or handing them
out with slip lease agreements are effective ways
to do this.
+ Organize and present enjoyable environ-
mental education meetings, presentations,
and demonstrations and consider integrat-
ing them into ongoing programs.
Presentations at local marinas or other locations
are a good way to discuss issues with boaters and
marina owners and operators. Boater workshops
can also be a useful tool for introducing new
environmental practices at marinas, but this
-------
SECTION 4: Management Measures
method was ranked last among methods for
informing boaters about best management prac-
tices. Conducting successful formal workshops
requires a considerable investment of time and
resources. One of the best methods to inform
marina patrons about best management practices
is a walking tour of the facility with demonstra-
tions of products and procedures so that partici-
pants see the benefits of management practices
first-hand and gain hands-on experience in using
the practices. Incentives for participation like door
prizes, coupons for free pumpouts, or discounts at
the marina store help bolster attendance.
+ Educate and train marina staff to do their
jobs in an environmentally conscious
manner and to be good role models for
marina patrons.
Marina staff who are fully educated and trained
on all of the environmental management practices
used at a marina—from how to use a pumpout
station, where the recycling bins are located, and
what can and can't be recycled to how storm
water is treated and where it goes—can set an
excellent example for patrons. Marina staff are
the first people boaters will ask about a marina's
environmental practices. An informed staff
presents the image of an environmentally proac-
tive marina, whereas an uninformed staff could
make patrons think a marina is not concerned
about environmental matters.
+ Insert language into facility contracts that
promotes tenants' using certain areas and
clean boating techniques when maintaining
their boats. Use a contract that ensures that
tenants will comply with the marina's best
management practices.
When a marina has established procedures for
keeping the grounds and waters clean, coopera-
tion from patrons is absolutely essential. The time
and money spent to establish a clean marina can
be negated by patrons who either don't share an
enthusiasm for clean boating or mistakenly don't
think it is their responsibility to keep the grounds
and water clean. Language in slip contracts or
other documents, such as dustless sander rental
agreements, make them take notice and realize
that the marina is serious about maintaining a
clean marina, and clean boating in general. Some
patrons might elect to dock their boats at other
marinas, but most boaters are glad to cooperate
with a good cause.
4 Have a clearly written environmental best
management practices agreement for
outside contractors to sign as a precondi-
tion to working on any boat in the marina.
A facility is often legally responsible for pollution
problems created by negligent outside contractors.
Because of this significant liability, outside con-
tractors need to be provided with information that
clearly explains the facility's pollution prevention
policies and best management practices and
clearly states the contractor's responsibility to
operate in accord with the marina's policies.
4 Participate with an organization that
promotes clean boating practices.
Public and private organizations are available to
assist in developing or providing educational
materials. These materials can be tailored to suit
an individual marina or yacht club or to be used as
public service announcements. Some marina-
oriented organizations that might be able to
provide assistance with environmental education
efforts are listed in Appendix E.
Public Education Practices Applicable to
Specific Management Measures
Some public education strategies specifically
geared toward individual management measures
are suggested below.
4 Provide MARPOL placards.
International MARPOL law requires all boats of
25 feet or more in length to have a visible sign
about trash disposal regulations posted where
garbage is stored. Most boat retail stores and
marinas have standard MARPOL signs available
for sale to customers who need to comply with
this legal requirement.
4 Paint signs on storm drains.
Painted storm drains grab people's attention at a
marina and help control disposal of solid and liquid
wastes in inappropriate places. Cap Sante Boat
4-103
-------
National Management Measures Guidance
Haven (Washington) stencils its storm drains with
pictures of crabs and fish and the words "DUMP
NO WASTE - DRAINS TO BAY/LAKE/RTVER."
+ Establish and educate marina patrons
about rules governing fish cleaning.
Marinas can issue rules regarding the cleaning of
fish at the marina, depending on the type of
services offered by the marina and its clientele.
Marinas not equipped to handle fish wastes can
prohibit fish cleaning at the marina; those that host
fishing competitions or that have a large fishing
clientele can establish fish cleaning areas with
specific, enforceable rules for their use. Signs can
be used to attract fishers to fish cleaning stations
and explain the rules for their use.
+ Educate boaters about good fish cleaning
practices.
Some boaters need to be educated about the
problems created by discarding fish waste into
marina waters, proper disposal practices, the
ecological advantages of cleaning fish at sea, and
discarding wastes into the water where the fish
were caught (if allowed). Signs posted on docks
(especially if fish cleaning has typically been done
there) and talks with boaters during the course of
other marina operations help educate boaters
about marina rules governing fish cleaning, waste
disposal, and cleanup.
4- Provide information on local waste collec-
tion and recycling programs.
Information on used oil recycling and collection
programs for used products that are contaminated
with oil or other petroleum products can be
inserted in monthly newsletters or monthly bills or
provided with slip leasing contracts. A clause
requiring the use of fuel/air vent spill preventors
and bilge absorption pads on all boats can be
added to contracts.
+ Hold clinics on safe fueling and bilge
maintenance.
During special clinics on environmental practices
or general clinics of interest to boaters, demon-
strate the proper use and disposal of bilge oil pads
and other petroleum control devices.
+ Teach boaters how to fuel boats to minimize
fuel spills.
Boaters need to understand that whenever they
spill even a few drops of oil or fuel, the environ-
ment is harmed. There are simple steps boaters
can take to prevent fuel loss: use an oil absorption
pad to catch drops when the fueling nozzle is
removed from the boat; install a fuel/air separator
on the air vent line; and place an oil-absorbing pad
in the bilge. Teach boaters that when they top off
a fuel tank from an underground storage tank, the
cool fuel expands as it heats up and will overflow
through the air vent onto the water if there is not
enough expansion space in the fuel tank. Spills of
this type are even' more dangerous when boats
are placed in dry rack storage in buildings, where
the fuel is a fire hazard. Antisiphoning valves can
be installed on the engines of larger boats on the
fuel line near the fuel tank to prevent fuel from
draining if the fuel line breaks during an accident ;
or fire.
+ Stock phosphate-free, nontoxic cleaners and
other environmentally friendly products.
Marinas can stock, advertise, and promote the use
of phosphate-free, nontoxic cleaners and other
environmentally safe products.
+ Place signs in the water and label charts to
alert boaters about sensitive habitat areas.
Many harbors establish and mark no wake zones
near marinas or in narrow channels using floating
marker buoys. Signs and buoys could also be used
to designate sensitive environmental areas where
boaters should exercise particular caution. As
with other public education materials, these signs
should be in multiple languages if appropriate to
the region.
4 Educate boaters to thoroughly clean their
boats before boating in other waterbodies.
The spread of many exotic and invasive aquatic
species can be controlled by ensuring that they
are not transported from one waterbody to
another on trailered boats. See section 4.3,
Habitat Assessment, for further information.
BMP Summary Table 15 summarizes the BMPs
for Public Education mentioned in this guidance.
4-104
-------
SECTION 4: Management Measures
a
o
I
§•
•o
ID
f>
•a
1
1
^
c.
i
s
a
|
v
I
e
•§
•» -g
A
t t
•c
d i
of
1
ement
mples
Best Ma
Practice
S 3 S
8 1 is js
l|ill!
S s a^a
U
Move o
to incre
bulletin
Si
a
S3 1 1 -S 1
lltllf
•s .
Ii
a
soli
nt to
dfills; red
use
th
li
la
ally
rinas and
ps; gener
mmende
4-705
-------
National Management Measures Guidance
§>•!
,3 ti
a-a-g s
HIS
a 13 a
s e -
-s-S.il
t
•8
I if | 8
,0 ••-» o •" *.Q
no ^ « o w o
1II1||&
&o 2 w « "c
q .g -g p S3
*S 90
4-106
-------
SECTION 4: Management Measures
.a
a a
d o
H
*s «
8 §
oo a
•" e
O W) p
a-i I
5 HI
s a
il
II
.f
I
4-^07
-------
National Management Measures Guidance
J a
g)
= ?
o i
o «>
O ~
tal
Projected
Enviro
Ben
allow
ments ar
ogically
M
the
MOD
ter
w
i
OD
epen
pecies
stablis
urro
11
dly
-free,
s and
frien
cle
en
B
Pr
Sto p
nontoxi
environ
produts
te
oa
at
Pl sig th
label charts to al
about sensitive h
to
lean their boats
g in other
cl
Edte boaters
thoroughly
before boat
4-70S
-------
SECTION 5: Determining Pollutant Loads
SECTION 5: DETERMINING POLLUTANT LOADS
Section 5 Contents
Example Models for Marina Flushing Assessment 5-2
Selection Criteria ........5-2
Models Selected 5-3
Simple Model 5-3
Mid-Range Models ...5-5
Tidal Prism Model ..5-5
NCDEM DO Model 5-6
Complex Models 5-6
WASP4 5-6
EFDC Hydrodynamic Model 5-7
Water Quality Monitoring in Marinas (for modeling applications) 5-8
Sampling Guidelines for Existing Marinas 5-8
Spatial Coverage • 5-8
Constituents Sampled 5-9
Sampling Locations ...5-10
Sampling Time and Frequency • 5-10
This section is included for those interested in the
technical information used to determine the
dynamics of water flow and water quality varia-
tions. Although numerical models provide an
effective approach to evaluate design parameters,
marina developers may use their own discretion in
employing modeling techniques.
The use of an area for a marina might infringe on
or preclude other uses of the resources, and it is
this potential conflict that can be evaluated by
using of water quality modeling. Marina basins
can contain pollutants ranging from sanitary
wastes to toxic metals leached from hulls and
petroleum products discharged in engine exhaust.
These wastes pose a variety of potential problems
for water quality, including microbiological con-
tamination of adjacent shellfish and swimming
areas, depletion of dissolved oxygen in the water
column or sediments, and toxic effects on estua-
rine biological resources. Water quality monitoring
can be used before marina construction or
expansion to determine the design (including basin
shape and entrance locations and runoff controls)
that will be the least disturbing to the surrounding
aquatic environment. It can be used after marina
construction to determine compliance with water
quality criteria and what, if any, changes in design
are necessary to meet any water quality criteria
that have been violated.
Water quality criteria are based on pollutant
concentrations. Concentrations of water quality
constituents (such as dissolved oxygen [DO] or
petroleum hydrocarbons) can be used to assess
instantaneous conditions (water quality when the
sample is taken) and conditions over time
(samples taken daily for a week or a month).
Concentrations of pollutants in water can be
measured in storm water runoff before the runoff
reaches a waterbody or in the waterbody of
interest. If concentrations are measured in runoff,
the timing is important. Pollutant concentrations
usually vary widely during a rainstorm, typically
being higher during the first wave or "first flush"
of storm water, when pollutants accumulated
since the previous storm are washed away, and
lower later in the storm.
5-1
-------
National Management Measures Guidance
Concentrations also vary from storm to storm.
Longer periods between storms allow more
pollutants to accumulate on surfaces, whereas a
storm that occurs shortly after a previous storm
might carry very few pollutants in its runoff.
Time of year is also important. A storm that
occurs during a week of peak boat maintenance
activity is likely to carry more pollutants than a
storm that occurs in the spring before the boating
season begins. If nothing else, the pollutants
carried by the storm runoff will be different. A
storm in spring might carry more sediment and
salt from winter road treatments, whereas one in
summer might have more oil and debris from hull
maintenance activities.
Pollutant loads in a marina basin can be measured
by collecting samples at various times, depths, and
places in the basin. For a simple assessment of
water quality, samples of dissolved oxygen, fecal
coliform bacteria, and perhaps water clarity (using
a Secchi disk) might be performed. If sampling
for assessment of meeting state water quality
standards, samples for the constituents required
by the state have to be taken and the samples
might have to be analyzed by a state-approved
laboratory.
Samples can be taken once for an indication of
instantaneous water quality or over a period of
time to assess average water quality conditions or
trends in water quality (for example, whether
water quality is worse over busy boating week-
ends or in particular seasons, or just after a storm
and for how long after a storm has occurred).
Comparison of samples of storm water runoff and
samples of marina basin water quality might be
used to determine whether degraded water quality
during and shortly after storms is due to runoff
from the marina property or from surrounding
properties.
General water quality monitoring is discussed
under the Water Quality Assessment manage-
ment measure in Section 4. A discussion of
models and monitoring, which supports their use
for in-depth analyses of water quality and water
quality changes that might occur from changes in
marina configuration or marina construction,
follows. The discussion is somewhat technical
because it is anticipated that if these models are
applied, they will be applied by persons trained in
their use and familiar with their implementation.
Those without a background in modeling can still
benefit from reading the discussion to gain a
general understanding of what modeling involves
and to help decide whether modeling is appropri-
ate for a particular marina and situation.
Example Models for Marina Flushing
Assessment
Selection Criteria
To understand what is needed to apply a model, it
is essential to focus on the physical, chemical, and
biological processes that move water into and out
of the marina area, control mixing with adjacent
waters, regulate chemical reactions in the water
and sediments, and facilitate biological growth and
decay (die-off). A variable combination of winds,
tides, currents, and density differences is respon-
sible for the physical movement of water volumes
and pollutants. The geometry of a site can also
have a major effect on flushing and dispersion and
is an important issue in selecting the model,
collecting the data, and attaining the required
water quality standards.
Biodegradation of organic material, growth and
decay of bacteria and other organisms, nutrient
uptake, and chemical transformations of various
kinds are typical of the biochemical processes that
affect contaminants. Physical, chemical, and
biological processes should be combined to form a
conceptual model of the site and its consequent
contaminant assimilation potential. After the site
in question has been conceptualized, the next step
is to choose a model that incorporates the appro-
priate physical processes and biochemistry to
predict water quality. Depending on the level of
sophistication at which the assessment is taking
place, the model selected might be a simple
screening calculation (e.g., Tidal Prism Analysis)
or a multidimensional numerical model (e.g.,
WASP4, DEM, WQM2D, or EFDC Hydrody-
namic Model).
The models discussed here have been selected
for the following reasons:
• They are in the public domain.
5-2
-------
SECTION 5: Determining Pollutant Loads
• They are available at a minimal cost from
various public agencies.
• They are supported to a varying extent by
federal or state agencies. The form of support
is usually telephone contact with a staff of
engineers and programmers who have
experience with the model and can provide
guidance (usually free of charge).
• They have been used extensively for various
purposes and are generally accepted within
the modeling profession.
• Together they form a sequence of increas-
ingly more technically complex models; that
is, each model takes additional phenomena
into account in a more detailed manner than
the preceding model.
Selection from among these models should be
made on the basis of the model capabilities
needed.
In addition to model capabilities, the two most
important factors in the selection of a model are
the adequacy of the documentation and the
adequacy of the support available. The documen-
tation should state the theory and assumptions in
adequate detail, describe the program organiza-
tion, and clearly present the input data require-
ments and format. A well-organized data scheme
is essential. The support provided should include
user access via telephone to programmers and
engineers familiar with the model. Special support
(including short courses or informational or
personnel exchanges) might be available under
existing intra-agency or interagency agreements
or can be, made available to the potential user.
The support agency might also be able to provide
the potential user with a list of local users who
could be contacted for information regarding their
past or current experience with the computer
program. Table 5-1 presents documentation and
user's support available for some of the models
discussed in this section.
In addition to having adequate documentation and
user's support, the selected model should address
all marina water quality problems of concern.
The following section provides an overview of the
best-qualified marina water quality model in each
of the selected categories. These models are
listed in Table 5-1, which provides information
related to the operational features of the models.
This information is provided to help in evaluating
the estimated cost associated with and the ease of
acquiring the model, getting the model running on
the user's system, calibrating the model, and
finally applying the model. Table 5-2 lists the level
of effort involved in applying the models.
Models Selected
The most rigorous tools that can be used for
assessing marina impacts on water quality are
numerical models. Models range in complexity
from simple desktop calculations to full three-
dimensional models that simulate physical and
chemical processes by solving equations of motion
and rate equations for chemical processes.
The complexity of the model used and the quality
of the input data determine the degree of resolu-
tion in the results. For example, in an early part of
a study, the Tidal Prism Analysis strategy is used
to obtain a general understanding of potential
impacts caused by pollutant discharged from a
proposed marina. It is likely that the simplified
strategy will predict substantial impacts on the
environment. Therefore, an advanced model is
needed to conduct further detailed analyses. A
mid-range model is used in situations where
steady-state conditions may be assumed and tidal
flushing is the predominant mode of flushing. A
complex model is used in dynamic environments
subject to complex circulation patterns and full
biochemical kinetics, with sources and sinks for all
dissolved constituents and for proposed marinas.
Simple Model
The methods listed here include desktop screening
methodologies that calculate seasonal or annual
mean pollutant concentrations based on steady-
state conditions and simplified flushing time
estimates. These models are designed to examine
and isolate trouble spots for more detailed analy-
ses. They should be used to highlight major water
quality issues and important data gaps in the early
stage of a study.
Methods presented in this section, particularly
some of the mathematical descriptions, are
5-3
-------
National Management Measures Guidance
Table 5-1. Ease of application: Sources, support, and documentation.
Model
Tidal Prism
Analysis
Flushing
Characteristics
Diagram
MODEM DO
Model
Tidal Prism
Model
WASP4
EFDC
Hydrodynamic
Model
Source(s) of Model
USEPA, Region 4, Atlanta,
GA. 1985. Chapter 4 of
Coastal Marinas
Assessment Handbook.
Christensen, B.A. 1989.
Canal and marina flushing
characteristics. The
Environmental Professional
11:241-255.
North Carolina Dept. of
Environmental Health and
Natural Resources,
Division of Environmental
Management
(919)733-6510
Virginia Institute of Marine
Science, Gloucester Point,
VA 23062
(804) 642-7212
Center for Exposure
Assessment Modeling,
U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency, Athens,
GA30613
(404) 546-3585
Virginia Institute of Marine
Science, Gloucester Point,
VA 23062
(804)642-7212
Nature of
Support
N/A
N/A
Telephone
contact
Telephone
contact
Software
maintenance,
workshop
technical
assistance
through EPA
channels
Telephone
contact
Adequacy of
Documentation
Excellent
documentation with
example application
Good illustrations with
numerical example
application
Good documentation
with several applications
Excellent
documentation of theory
and assumptions;
excellent user's guide
with input and output
information
Excellent
documentation of theory
and assumptions;
excellent user's guide
with input and output
information
Excellent
documentation of
theoretical and
computational aspects;
excellent user's manual
with input and output
information; numerous
papers written
describing capabilities
of the model
Cost
Low
Low , -
Medium
Medium
High
High
simplifications of more sophisticated techniques.
These techniques, as presented, can provide
reasonable approximations for screening potential
impact problems when site-specific data are not
available. The Tidal Prism Analysis was selected
as the method of choice in this category. This
method is capable of addressing all marina water
quality issues of concern (e.g., dissolved oxygen
and fecal coliform bacteria) and comes with
excellent documentation. The primary strengths
and advantages of the screening procedures are
as follows:
• Excellent user documentation and guidance.
5-4
-------
SECTION 5: Determining Pollutant Loads
Table 5-2. Level of effort for best models.
Complexity
Model
Water Quality Problem
Approximate
Level of Effort
Simple
Tidal Prism Analysis DO, fecal coliform bacteria 1-2 Days
Mid-range
Mid-range
Complex
Complex
Tidal Prism Model
NCDEM DO
WASP4
EFDC Hydrodynamic
DO, BOD, nutrients,
phytoplankton, fecal
coliform
DO
DO, BOD, nutrients,
phytoplankton, toxics, fecal
coliform
DO, BOD, temperature,
3-7 Days
1-2 Days
3-4 Weeks
4-6 weeks
salinity, nutrients,
sediment, finfish,
phytoplankton, shellfish,
toxics, fecal coliform,
eutrophication
Note: DO = dissolved oxygen, BOD = biological oxygen demand
• No computer is necessary because the
procedures can be performed on hand
calculators.
• Relatively simple procedures with minimal
data requirements that can be satisfied from
the user's manual when site-specific data are
lacking.
The Tidal Prism Analysis procedures can be
easily implemented in a computer program. This
allows the user to test model sensitivity and
determine the range of potential water quality
impacts from a proposed marina quickly and
efficiently.
Mid-Range Models
The recommended marina mid-range models are
the Tidal Prism Model and the NCDEM DO
Model. Both models are in the public domain, are
easy to apply, and are supported with good
documentation.
Tidal Prism Model
The Tidal Prism Model is a steady-state model
capable of simulating up to 10 water quality
variables, including dissolved oxygen and fecal
coliform bacteria. The user's manual is well
written and includes input/output examples, as
well as guidance on how to calibrate and apply
the model. Based on constituents modeled, the
Tidal Prism Model is recommended as the best-
qualified marina mid-range model. The primary
strengths and advantages of the Tidal Prism
Model are as follows:
• Excellent user documentation and guidance.
• Minimal computer storage requirements.
• Relatively simple procedures with data
requirements that can be satisfied from
existing data when site-specific time series
data are lacking.
The Tidal Prism Model is applicable only to
marinas where tidal forces are predominant with
oscillating flow (e.g., an estuary or a tidal river).
Therefore, the Tidal Prism Model can't be applied
to marinas located on a sound, an open sea, or a
lake or reservoir. Because the Tidal Prism Model
is not applicable to most marina situations, the
NCDEM DO model is recommended as an
alternative best-qualified model for mid-range
applications where the Tidal Prism Model isn't
applicable.
5-5
-------
National Management Measures Guidance
NCDEM DO Model
The NCDEM DO model is a steady-state
program that is capable of predicting only DO
concentrations. The NCDEM DO model is
applicable to one-, two-, and three-segment
marinas. Model theory, assumptions, and input
parameters are presented in adequate detail.
Model documentation includes input and output
examples of several applications as well as a
listing of the model code. The model code is
written in BASIC.
The NCDEM DO model incrementally mixes the
ambient and marina waters as a function of the
average lunar tides. The tidal variation is assumed
to follow a sinusoidal distribution. For simplicity, a
12-hour tidal cycle is used. If this time-variable
model is run through a sufficient number of tidal
cycles, the average marina basin DO value
approaches a steady-state value.
Complex Models
Complex models consist of two components—
hydrodynamics and water quality. In this model
category, hydrodynamics may be represented by
numerical solution of the one-dimensional or the
full two-dimensional equations of motion and
continuity. Water quality conservation-of-mass
equations are executed using the hydrodynamic
output of water volumes and flows. The water
quality component of the models calculates
pollutant dispersion and transformation or decay,
giving resultant concentrations over time. These
models are very complex and require an extensive
effort for specific applications.
Water Quality Analysis Simulation Program
(WASP4)
The Water Quality Analysis Simulation Program,
WASP4, is a dynamic compartment modeling
system that can be used to analyze a variety of
water quality problems in one, two, or three
dimensions. WASP4 simulates the transport and
transformation of conventional and toxic pollutants
in the water column and benthos of ponds,
streams, lakes, reservoirs, rivers, estuaries, and
coastal waters. The WASP4 modeling system
covers four major subjects—hydrodynamics,
conservative mass transport, eutrophication-
dissolved oxygen kinetics, and toxic chemical-
sediment dynamics. The modeling system also
includes a stand-alone hydrodynamic program
called DYNHYD4, which simulates the move-
ment of water. DYNHYD4 is a link-node model
that can be driven by either constantly repetitive
or variable tides. Unsteady inflows can be
specified, as well as wind that varies in speed and
direction. DYNHYD4 produces an output file of
flows and volumes that can be read by WASP4
during the water quality simulation. WASP4
contains two separate kinetic submodels,
EUTRO4 and TOXI4. EUTRO4 is a simplified
version of the Potomac Eutrophication Model
(PEM) and is designed to simulate most conven-
tional pollutant problems. EUTRO4 can simulate
up to eight state variables, including dissolved
oxygen and fecal coliform. TOXI4 simulates
organic chemicals, metals, and sediment in the
water column and underlying bed.
The WASP4 model system is supported by the
EPA's Center for Exposure Assessment Modeling
(CEAM) in Athens, Georgia, and has been
applied to many aquatic environments. The
WASP4 model can be obtained from the CEAM
web page (www.epa.gov/ceampubl/
softwdos.htm). The water quality component is
set up for a wide range of pollutants, and the
model is the most versatile and most widely
applicable of all models considered here. For
these reasons WASP4 is the model of choice in
this category. The primary strengths and advan-
tages of the WASP4 model are as follows:
• Documentation: WASP4 has excellent user
documentation and guidance. Theory and
assumptions are presented in adequate detail;
program organizatfon and input data require-
ments and format are clearly presented.
• Support: User access is available by tele-
phone to programmers and engineers familiar
with the model. Occasional workshops,
sponsored by CEAM, are available. The
support agency (CEAM) can provide the
potential user with a list of local users who
could be contacted for information regarding
their past or current experience with the
computer program.
5-6
-------
SECTION 5: Determining Pollutant Loads
• Flexibility: Model users can add their own
subroutines to model other constituents that
might be more important to the specific
application with minimal or virtually no
programming effort required. The user can
operate WASP4 at various levels of complex-
ity to simulate some or all of these variables
and interactions.
CEAM maintains and updates software for
WASP4 and the associated programs. Continuing
model development and testing within the CEAM
community will likely lead to further enhance-
ments and developments of the WASP4 modeling
system. In fact, CEAM is currently supporting the
development of a 3-dimensional (3-D) hydrody-
namic model that will be linked to the WASP4
model.
EFDC Hydrodynamic Model
The environmental fluid dynamics code (EFDC)
model was originally developed at the Virginia
Institute of Marine Science (VIMS) for estuarine
and coastal applications and is considered public
domain software. It is a general-purpose modeling
package for simulating three-dimensional flow,
transport, and biogeochemical processes in
surface water systems, including rivers, lakes,
estuaries, reservoirs, wetlands, and coastal
regions. In addition to hydrodynamic and salinity
and temperature transport simulation capabilities,
EFDC can simulate cohesive and noncohesive
sediment transport, near-field and far-field
discharge dilution from multiple sources, eutrophi-
cation processes, the transport and fate of toxic
contaminants in the water and sediment phases,
and the transport and fate of various life stages of
finfish and shellfish. Special enhancements to the
hydrodynamic portion of the code, including
vegetation resistance, drying and wetting, hydrau-
lic structure representation, wave-current bound-
ary layer interaction, and wave-induced currents,
allow refined modeling of wetland marsh systems,
controlled flow systems, and nearshore wave-
induced currents and sediment transport. The
EFDC model has been extensively tested and
documented for more than 20 modeling studies.
The model is currently being used by a number of
organizations, including universities, governmental
organizations, and environmental consulting firms.
The structure of the EFDC model includes four
major modules: (1) a hydrodynamics model, (2) a
water quality model, (3) a sediment transport
model, and (4) a toxics model (see Figure 5-1).
The EFDC hydrodynamic model itself is com-
posed of six transport modules—dynamics, dye,
temperature, salinity, near-field plume, and drifter.
Various products of the dynamics module (water
depth, velocity, and mixing) are directly coupled to
the water quality, sediment transport, and toxic
models.
• Documentation: Extensive documentation of
the EFDC model is available. Theoretical and
computational aspects of the model are
described by Hamrick (1992a). An excellent
user's manual (Hamrick, 1996) is available
and includes input file templates. A number of
papers describe model applications and
capabilities (Hamrick, 1992b, 1994; Hamrick
andWu, 1996; Moustafa and Hamrick, 1994;
and Wuetal., 1996).
Hydrodynamics
I
%
EFDC
Water I
Quality |
Model
Sediment 3 |
_. , Ds-j 1 U A 1 v O m
Transport | |
^r^f^^'f-y^^^t,,^^^^;^-"^ ffi^4^-^ "•^•'~^"*^^^t^^d
Figure 5-1. Structure of and modules associated with the EFDC model.
5-7
-------
National Management Measures Guidance
• Support: User access is available by tele-
phone to programmers and engineers familiar
with the model. VIMS can provide the
potential user with a list of local users who
could be contacted for model information.
• Flexibility: The EFDC model can be config-
ured to execute all or a portion of a model
application in reduced spatial dimension mode,
including two-dimension depth or width
averaged and one-dimension cross section
averaged. The number of layers used in the
three-dimension mode or two-dimension width
averaged mode is readily changed by one line
of model input. Model grid sections specified
as two-dimension width-averaged are allowed
to have depth-varying widths to provide
representations equivalent to those of two-
dimension width-averaged estuarine and
reservoir models, such a CE-QUAL-W2.
Water Quality Monitoring in Marinas (for
modeling applications)
Sampling Guidelines for Existing Marinas
General guidance is presented to develop the
framework for a site-specific water quality
sampling program suitable for an existing marina.
A monitoring study at an existing marina may be
requested by regulatory agencies if it is suspected
that the marina is causing degradation of water
quality standards. An overall monitoring program
can consist of three phases or levels. In Level 1,
preliminary screening is conducted to gather
baseline information on the marina. If historical
data on the marina are available, this level might
not be needed or the quantity of data needed
might be reduced. Based on the historical or
Level 1 data, if it is established that the marina
may be causing impacts on water quality, Level 2
sampling, which incorporates additional sampling
of the receiving waters, would commence. If
evaluation of Level 2 data also indicates that the
marina is affecting water quality, marina design
changes may be recommended and eventually
implemented. Level 3 sampling would be initiated
to evaluate the performance of any implemented
marina design changes. Examples of potential
marina design changes include removal of sills,
which tend to trap water in the lower depths of a
marina, and improvement of flushing by altering
sharp corners within the marina or by enlarging
the marina entrance.
Spatial Coverage
An intensive spatial coverage of the marina and
the adjacent waterbody for some indicator or
surrogate water quality parameter, such as salinity
or turbidity, is generally needed to estimate spatial
variability and to determine the model type and
the segmentation required.
Generally, the spatial coverage of the modeled
marina should extend away from the marina site
to the extent that normal background levels for
DO are encountered. At this location, model
boundary conditions (i.e., surface elevations or
current velocities) can be established. In this
manner the total effect of the marina can be
measured.
The preceding approach is appropriate when
using complex models. Sampling stations for
complex models should be spaced throughout the
model grid system, with the spatial coverage being
governed by the gradients in velocities and water
quality constituents. For existing marinas, adjacent
waterbodies are divided into a series of reaches
for complex model application, with each reach
described by a specific set of channel geometry
dimensions (cross-sectional dimensions) and flow
characteristics (flow rates, tidal range, velocities,
and biochemical processes). The models assume
that these conditions are uniform within each
reach. Each reach is in turn divided into a series
of model segments or computational elements to
provide spatial variation for the water quality
analysis. Each segment is represented by a grid
point in the model where all water quality vari-
ables are computed. For the WASP4 model, the
segment length is dependent on the degree of
resolution desired and the natural variability in the
system. Enough detail should be provided to
characterize anticipated spatial variation in water
quality.
The hydrodynamics of the Tidal Prism Model are
based on the tidal prism volume at each segment.
Therefore, the spatial coverage of a marina, using
the Tidal Prism Model, includes the entire estuary/
river where the marina is located. The length of
5-8
-------
SECTION 5: Determining Pollutant Loads
each segment is defined by the tidal excursion, the
average distance traveled by a water particle on
the flood tide, because this is the maximum length
over which complete mixing can be assumed.
A sampling station for each model segment is the
minimum requirement to calibrate the returning
ratios of the Tidal Prism Model. Sampling stations
should generally be located along the length of the
estuary and in the main channel. The returning
ratio is defined as the percentage of tidal prism
that was previously flushed from the marina on
the outgoing tide.
Constituents Sampled
The specific constituents that must be sampled, as
well as the sampling frequency, depend to some
extent on the particular modeling framework to be
used in the analysis. The selected model should
include all of the processes that are significant in
the area under investigation without the unneces-
sary complexity of processes that are insignifi-
cant. A few preliminary measurements might be
useful to define which processes are important.
The minimum sampling requirements for all
dissolved oxygen studies should include dissolved
oxygen, temperature, carbonaceous biochemical
oxygen demand (CBOD), and total Kjeldahl
nitrogen (TKN), because these parameters are
fundamental to any dissolved oxygen analysis.
Biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) is typically
measured as 5-day BOD, but a few measure-
ments of long-term BOD are also necessary. The
Tidal Prism Model considers only the CBOD
component, and therefore the model should be
used only in situations where the nitrogenous
components are known to be unimportant.
In addition to TKN, ammonia (NH,) and nitrate
(NO3G) (or nitrite [NO2G] plus nitrate) should be
measured for dissolved oxygen investigations for
both the Tidal Prism and WASP4 models. Even if
ammonia, nitrate, and nitrite are not modeled, the
data are useful for estimating the nitrogenous
BOD decay rate or ammonia oxidation rate.
Concentrations .of algal dry weight biomass or
chlorophyll a should be measured because both
the complex models and the Tidal Prism Model
simulate algae growth for dissolved oxygen
analysis. Light extinction coefficients (or Secchi
depths) are also needed for the algal growth
computations in dissolved oxygen analysis if the
complex models are used.
In situ sediment oxygen demand (SOD) should be
measured in situations where it is expected to be
a significant component of the oxygen budget.
This is most likely to occur in shallow areas
where the organic content of the sediments is high
or in deep marina basins where flushing is mini-
mal. In developing a strategy for SOD measure-
ment, it is logical to assume that those factors
important in establishing model reaches or seg-
ments are also relevant to selecting SOD mea-
surement sites. The more important of these
factors are
• Geometry: depth and width.
• Hydraulics: velocity, slope, flow, and bottom
roughness.
• Water quality: location of point sources,
nonpoint source runoff, and abrupt changes in
DO/SOD concentrations.
The most important factor for SOD is likely to be
the location of abrupt changes in DO/BOD
concentrations, such as areas surrounding the
entrance channels of marinas and in the marina
basin proper. The final point to consider is that
SOD can vary with season. This observation is
particularly relevant to marinas and adjacent
areas dominated by algal activity and/or oxidation
of organic and inorganic nutrients by benthic
microorganisms, both of which can occur season-
ally. The modeler should thus be aware of this
potential concern and structure the SOD mea-
surement times accordingly.
In addition to sampling for the constituents to be
simulated, measurements are also necessary to
help quantify the various coefficients and param-
eters included in the model equations. Coefficient
values can be obtained in four ways: (1) direct
measurement, (2) estimation from field data,
(3) literature values, and (4) model calibration.
Model calibration is usually required regardless of
the selected approach. However, coefficients that
tend to be site-specific or that can take on a wide
range of values should be either measured directly
5-9
-------
National Management Measures Guidance
or estimated from field samples. These could
include the following parameters:
• CBOD decay rate
• CBOD settling rate
oxidation rate (nitrogenous BOD decay
rate)
• SOD
In addition to the preceding model parameters,
which are determined primarily from the results of
field sampling surveys, several other rate coeffi-
cients can be measured in the field. For example,
stream reaeration rates for the WASP4 model and
returning ratios for the Tidal Prism Model can be
measured using tracer techniques. WASP4
provides several options for the reaeration rate
equation because many of the equations are
applicable to only certain ranges of depth and
velocity.
Sampling Locations
Water quality data should be collected at the
downstream boundary of the study area for model
calibration. Adjacent waters both upstream and
downstream should also be sampled to determine
background concentrations of water quality
constituents. Although a single downstream
station is the minimum requirement for short
channel sections, additional sampling stations are
desirable to provide more spatial data for calibrat-
ing the model. Logical locations for additional
stations are sharp comers and dead end segments
in the marina basin proper. If the marina is
segmented for a complex model application, each
segment should be sampled. However, water
quality variations might be negligible at stations
located upstream and downstream immediately
outside marinas.
In the Tidal Prism Model, water quality is as-
sumed to be well mixed and uniform over each
segment of the stream. Therefore, samples taken
immediately downstream of the marina would
probably not match conditions in the model unless
they were taken far enough downstream for
complete cross-sectional mixing to occur. In
general, increased sampling should be allocated to
those areas of the marina and the adjacent water
that have the most impact (along the shoreline). In
general, all of the major water quality parameters
of interest (DO, CBOD, TKN, NH3, NO3, fecal
coliform bacteria, temperature, and so forth)
should be measured at each station in the sam-
pling network.
Rate coefficients and model parameters can be
estimated from literature values before site-
specific measurements are available. For impor-
tant parameters such as the BOD decay rate,
sensitivity analyses can be performed to evaluate
the effects of different coefficient values in
formulating DO concentrations. These analyses
should provide enough information so that sam-
pling stations can be located in critical areas.
Sampling Time and Frequency
The duration and frequency of water quality
sampling depend to a large extent on whether the
Tidal Prism Model or a complex model will be
used. The Tidal Prism Model computes water
quality conditions only at slack before ebb; thus,
sampling at a higher rate is not necessary. The
complex models have a user-specified time step,
which means that sampling should be more
frequent for shorter time steps.
Because the Tidal Prism Model assumes that
conditions remain constant with time, it is impor-
tant to conduct the sampling program during a
period when this assumption is valid. Synoptic
surveys (e.g., sampling all stations over 2 to 3
days) should be conducted to the extent possible
so that water quality conditions at different
locations are not affected significantly by changes
in the weather or variations in the marina dis-
charge that are not accounted for in the model.
However, since temperature varies diurnally and
temperature influences the process rates of most
biological and chemical reactions, some variability
in the sampling results will be inevitable. It should
be noted that the Tidal Prism Model uses the first
day of field data as initial and boundary condition
input to the model. Field data from succeeding
cycles are then used to compare the output
simulations at the same cycle.
Complex models compute continuous changes
that occur over time because of variations in
stream flow, temperature, nonpoint and point
5-10
-------
SECTION 5: Determining Poffutant Loads
source loadings, meteorology, and processes
occurring within a marina and its adjacent waters.
All of the factors that are assumed constant for a
Tidal Prism analysis are free to vary continuously
with time in a complex model. This feature allows
an analysis of diurnal variations in temperature
and water quality, as well as continuous prediction
of daily variations or even seasonal variations in
water quality.
Application of a complex model requires a much
more detailed sampling program than that required
by a mid-range model. Enough data should be
collected to define the temporal variations in
water quality throughout the simulation period at
the model boundary conditions. Therefore, more
frequent data collection should be conducted at
the model boundary condition. Complex models
investigate the temporal variations in dissolved
oxygen and fecal coliform bacteria much better
than mid-range models. To achieve this resolution,
intensive surveys should be mixed with long-term
trend monitoring. The significance of the temporal
variations depends on the context of the problem.
For example, if the daily average dissolved
oxygen concentration is around 5 mg/L or less, a
diurnal variation of less than 1 mg/L could be very
important with respect to meeting water quality
standards; if the average dissolved oxygen
concentration is around 10 mg/L, diurnal varia-
tions are important and the sampling program
should include 2 or 3 days of intensive sampling
for dissolved oxygen and temperature at all of the
key stations. As a minimum, these stations would
include the stations designated as the model
boundary, as well as the stations surrounding the
marina and adjacent waters and stations within
the marina. These locations satisfy the minimum
requirements of defining the boundary and loading
conditions, plus a few calibration stations in the
critical areas for DO, SOD, and fecal coliform
bacteria.
Long-term dynamic simulations of seasonal
variations in stream water quality might be
impractical. Where seasonal variation is of
interest, the typical practice is to run the Tidal
Prism Model or a complex model (with short-term
simulations) several times for different sets of
conditions that represent the full spectrum of
conditions expected over the period of interest.
Enough data should be collected to characterize
the seasonal variations and to provide adequate
data for calibrating and applying the model. If
possible, enough data should be collected to cover
the full range of conditions of the model analysis.
As a minimum, these should include conditions
during the critical season for the water quality
variable of interest. For DO, for example, the
critical season occurs during the hot summer
months (July through September).
Two general types of studies can be defined—
intensive surveys, which are those used to
identify short-term variations in water quality, and
trend monitoring, which is used to estimate
trends or mean values. Intensive surveys are
intended to identify intertidal variations or varia-
tions that occur because of a particular event in
order to make short-term forecasts. Intensive
surveys should encompass at least four full tidal
cycles. They should usually be conducted regard-
less of the type of modeling study being con-
ducted. Boundary conditions should be measured
concurrently with the monitoring of the marina
basin and the adjacent water. A record of all point
source waste loads located near the marina site
during the week before the survey is recom-
mended. Variables that should be sampled during
the intensive surveys include tide, current velocity,
salinity, DO, fecal coliform bacteria, nitrogen, and
phosphorus, measured hourly.
Trend monitoring is conducted to establish
seasonal and long-term trends in water quality.
Trend sampling may take place on a biweekly or
monthly basis for a year at a time. Stations should
be sampled at a consistent phase of the tide and
time of day to minimize tidal and diurnal influ-
ences on water quality variations. Some stations
may be selected for more detailed evaluation
during the intensive survey. Long-term trend
monitoring should also be considered as a way to
track changes in water quality between the
intensive surveys.
Most states have water quality standards for the
24-hour average concentration and the instanta-
neous minimum concentration of DO. Therefore,
it is important to collect DO data throughout a
complete cycle, that is, from the high value, which
normally occurs at mid-aftemoon, to the low
5-11
-------
National Management Measures Guidance
value, which usually occurs at dawn. This
approach will allow the DO range in the model to
be calibrated to specific field conditions. If the
waterbody is stratified, samples should be col-
lected at the surface, mid-depth (above and below
the thermocline and pycnocline, if possible), and
bottom. In general, it is necessary to collect
samples at a 2-hour frequency over a 24-hour
period to adequately define the daily average and
the minimum DO concentrations.
5-12
-------
Appendix A
Best Management Practices Checklist for Marinas
and Recreational Boating
-------
Appendix A
BEST MANAGEMENT PRACTICES CHECKLIST FOR MARINAS
AND RECREATIONAL BOATING
Name of marina:
Marina address:
Name of person doing assessment:
Date of assessment:
This best management practices (BMP) checklist is designed to help marina owners and operators
review the general activities associated with developing or expanding recreational marinas and boat
ramps and operating existing marinas. Several BMPs and combinations of BMPs might be necessary at a
marina to prevent or reduce runoff pollutants. Professionals can also use this checklist to review new
marina development or expansion.
The BMP tables in the guidance provide detailed descriptions and the applicability of various management
measures and practices. The lists provided here can be used to assemble information on the BMPs
installed or used at the marina. If BMPs other than those listed are used, they may be identified in the
space provided.
The scope of this guidance is broad, covering diverse nonpoint source pollutants from marinas and recre-
ational boating. Because it includes all types of waterbodies, it does not provide all practices and tech-
niques suitable to all regional or local marina or waterbody conditions. Also, BMPs are continually being
modified and developed as a result of experience gained from their implementation and the innovation of
marina owners and operators across the country.
The guidance can assist marina owners and managers in identifying potential sources of nonpoint source
pollution and offer potential solutions. Finding the best solution to any nonpoint source pollution problem at
a marina requires taking into account the many site-specific factors that together compose the setting of
the marina. The applicability of BMPs to any particular marina or situation can be determined based on
site-specific factors unique to the marina site.
A-ii
-------
Appendix A
1. MARINA FLUSHING
Site and design marinas such that tides and/or currents will aid in flushing of the
site or renew its water regularly.
Marina water quality depends on water circulation within the boat basin, the level of pollutants present,
and new amounts of pollutants entering the water. In a poorly flushed marina, pollutants tend to concen-
trate in the water and/or sediments. In a basin with poorly flushed corners or secluded or protected spots,
pollutants and debris can tend to collect in those locations. Stagnant, polluted water can be the conse-
quence. The flushing rate is the time required to replace the water in a basin. In tidal waters flushing is
driven primarily by the ebb and flow of the tide, whereas in inland lakes and rivers flushing depends on
wind-driven circulation and current speed. Pollutants tend to concentrate in water and/or sediments in
poorly flushed coves and marinas. Fine sediment and organic debris can collect in uncirculated water,
which can deplete the amount of oxygen in the water. Reduced dissolved oxygen in stagnant water
hinders biological activity and can result in lifeless shores and offensive odors. Adequate marina flushing
greatly reduces or eliminates the potential for water stagnation and helps maintain the biological produc-
tivity and aesthetic value of a marina basin. Good flushing can reduce pollutant concentrations in a marina
basin by from 70 percent to almost 90 percent over a 24-hour period.
BMPs that should be considered and used where appropriate:
D Ensure that the bottom of the marina and entrance channels are not deeper than adjacent navigable
channels.
D Consider design alternatives in poorly flushed waterbodies to enhance flushing (open design instead
of a semienclosed design, wave attenuators instead of fixed breakwaters).
D Design new marinas with as few enclosed water sections or separated basins as possible to promote
circulation within the entire basin.
D Consider the value of entrance channels in promoting flushing when designing or reconfiguring a
marina.
D Establish two openings at the most appropriate locations within the marina to promote flow-through
currents.
D Consider mechanical aerators to improve flushing and water quality where basin and entrance
channel configuration cannot provide adequate flushing.
D Other (describe):
A-iii
-------
Appendix A
2. WATER QUALITY ASSESSMENT
.Assess water quality as part of marina siting and design.
Water quality is assessed during the marina design phase to predict the effect of marina development on
the chemical and physical health of the water and aquatic environment. Marina development can cause
changes in flushing and circulation; and boat maintenance, boat operation, and the human activities in and
around boats can be sources of solid and liquid wastes, pathogenic organisms, and petroleum compounds.
The results of water quality predictions or sampling are compared to state or federal water quality
standards. Water quality assessments for dissolved oxygen concentration and pathogenic organisms can
be used as indicators of the general health of an aquatic environment. Water quality assessments can be
useful in determining the suitability of a location for marina development, the best marina design for
ensuring good water quality, and the causes and sources of water quality problems.
BMPs that should be considered and used where appropriate:
D Use water quality sampling and/or monitoring to measure water quality conditions.
D Use a water quality modeling methodology to predict postconstruction water quality conditions.
D Monitor water quality using indicators.
D Use rapid bioassessment techniques to monitor water quality.
D Establish a volunteer monitoring program.
D Other (describe):
A-iv
-------
Appendix A
3. HABITAT ASSESSMENT
Site and design marinas to protect against adverse effects on shellfish resources,
wetlands, submerged aquatic vegetation, or other important riparian and aquatic
habitat areas as designated by local, state, or federal governments.
The construction of a new marina in any waterbody type has the potential to disrupt aquatic habitats.
These habitats include fish spawning areas, shellfish harvesting areas, designated wetlands, beds of
submerged aquatic, vegetation, and the habitats of threatened or endangered'species. Marinas can be
designed and located to help 'support the aquatic plants and animals that were present in the waters
before the marina's construction. A marina can be operated as a valuable habitat for plants and animals
that do well in quiet, sheltered waters. ...
BMPs that should be considered and used where appropriate:
D Conduct habitat surveys and characterize the marina site, including identifying any exotic or invasive
species.
D /Assess habitat function (e.g., spawning area, nursery area, feeding area) to minimize indirect
effects.
D Use rapid bioassessment techniques to assess effects on biological resources.
D Redevelop waterfront sites that have been previously disturbed and expand existing marinas.
D Consider alternative sites where adverse environmental effects will be minimized or positive effects
will be maximized.
D Create new habitats or expand habitats in the marina basin.
D Minimize disturbance of riparian areas.
D Use dry stack storage.
D Other (describe):
A-v
-------
Appendix A
4. SHORELINE AND STREAMBANK STABILIZATION
Where shoreline or streambank erosion is a nonpoint source pollution problem,
shorelines and streambanks should be stabilized. Vegetative methods are strongly
preferred unless structural methods are more cost-effective, considering the
severity of wave and wind erosion, offshore bathymetry, and the potential adverse
impact on other shorelines, streambanks, and offshore areas.
Protect shorelines and streambanks from erosion due to uses of either the
shorelands or adjacent surface waters.
Erosion in any waterbody is a natural process that results when moving water and waves undermine,
collapse, and wash out banks and shorelines. Banks erode along nontidal lakes, rivers, and streams;
shorelines erode along intertidal portions of coastal bays and estuaries. Eroding streambanks and shore-
lines and streambanks do not protect the land and structures during storm events. Such erosion contrib-
utes to nonpoint source pollution problems, turbidity, and shoaling and increases the need for maintenance
dredging in marina basins and channels. Vegetation and structural methods have been shown to be
effective for mitigating shoreline erosion and for filtering pollutants from overland and storm water runoff.
BMPs that should be considered and used where appropriate:
D Use vegetative plantings, wetlands, beaches, and natural shorelines where space allows.
D Where shorelines need structural stabilization and where space and use allow, riprap revetment is
preferable to a solid vertical bulkhead.
D Where reflected waves will not endanger shorelines or habitats and where space is limited, protect
shorelines with structural features such as vertical bulkheads.
D At boat ramps, retain natural shoreline features to the extent feasible and protect disturbed areas
from erosion.
D Other (describe):
A-vi
-------
Appendix A
5. STORM WATER RUNOFF MANAGEMENT
Implement effective runoff control strategies that include the use of pollution
prevention activities and the proper design of hull maintenance areas.
Reduce the average annual loadings of total suspended solids (TSS) in runoff from
hull maintenance areas by 80 percent. For the purposes of this measure, an 80
percent reduction of TSS is to be determined on an average annual basis.
Sanding dust, paint chips, metal filings, and other such solids that drop on the ground during boat repair
and maintenance can all be swept into the water by the next rainstorm's runoff. Oils, grease, solvents,
paint drippings, and fuel spilled or dripped onto the ground are also be carried away in runoff. Unless
runoff is treated in some manner, all of these pollutants end up in the marina basin, where they create
unsightly surface films or float until they adhere to a surface, such as a boat hull. Some of these pollutants
sink to the bottom, where they can be eaten by bottom-feeding fish or filter-feeding shellfish, or settle
onto the leaves of aquatic vegetation and clog their pores.
BMPs that should be considered and used where appropriate:
D Perform as much boa t repair and maintenance work as possible inside work buildings.
D Where an inside work space is not available, perform abrasive blasting and sanding within spray
booths or tarp enclosures.
D Where buildings or enclosed areas are not a vailable, provide clearly designated land areas for boat
repair and maintenance.
D Design hull maintenance areas to minimize contaminated runoff.
D Use vacuum sanders both to remove paint from hulls and to collect paint dust and chips.
Ci Restrict the types and/or arridUht of do-it-yourself work done at the marina.
D Clean hull maintenance areas immediately after any maintenance to remove debris, and dispose of
collected material properly.
D Capture and filter pollutants out of runoff water with permeable tarps, screens, and filter cloths.
D Sweep and/or vacuum around hull maintenance areas, roads, and driveways frequently,
D Sweep parking lots regularly.
D Plant grass between impervious areas and the marina basin.
D Construct new or restore former wetlands where feasible and practical.
D Use porous pavement where feasible.
D Install oil/grit separators to capture petroleum spills and coarse sediment.
D Use catch basins where storm water flows to the marina basin in large pulses.
D Add filters to storm drains that are located near work areas.
D Place absorbents in drain inlets.
A-vii
-------
I
Appendix A
D Use chemical and filtration treatment systems only where necessary.
D Other (describe):
A-viii
-------
Appendix A
6. FUELING STATION DESIGN
Design fueling stations to allow lor ease in cleanup of spills.
Spills of gasoline and diesel oil during boat fueling are a common source of pollution in marina waters.
Usually these are very small spills that occur from overfilling boat fuel tanks, but these small spills can
accumulate to create a larger pollution problem. The hydrocarbons in oil harm juvenile fish, upset fish
reproduction, and interfere with the growth and reproduction of bottom-dwelling organisms. Oil and gas
ingested by one animal can be passed to the next animal in the food chain, ultimately resulting in a poten-
tial risk to human health. In a marina, petroleum spills also deteriorate the white Styrofoam in floats and
docks and discolor boat hulls, woodwork, and paint. Gasoline spills are also a safety problem because of
the flammability of this product. The most effective way to minimize fuel spills and petroleum hydrocar-
bon pollution at a marina is to locate, design, build, and operate a boat fuel dock or station so that most
spills are prevented and those that do occur are quickly contained and cleaned up.
BMPs that should be considered and used where appropriate:
D Use automatic shutoffs on fuel lines and at hose nozzles to reduce fuel loss.
D Remove old-style fuel nozzle triggers that are used to hold the nozzle open without being held.
D Install personal watercraft (PWC) floats at fuel docks to help drivers refuel without spilling.
D Regularly inspect, maintain, and replace fuel hoses, pipes, and tanks.
D Install a spill monitoring system.
D Train fuel dock staff in spill prevention, containment, and cleanup procedures.
D Install easy-to-read signs on the fuel dock that explain proper fueling, spill prevention, and spill
reporting procedures.
D Locate and design boat fueling stations so that spills can be contained, such as with a floating
boom, and cleaned up easily.
D Write and implement a fuel spill recovery plan.
D Have spill containment equipment storage, such as a locker attached or adjacent to the fuel dock,
easily accessible and clearly marked.
D Other (describe):
A-ix
-------
Appendix A
7. PETROLEUM CONTROL
Reduce the amount of fuel and oil from boat bilges and fuel tank air vents entering
marina and surface waters.
Although more than half of the oil that spills into the water evaporates, less than a cup of oil can create a
very thin sheen over more than an acre of calm water. Small amounts of oil spilled from numerous boats
can accumulate to create a large oil sheen, which blocks oxygen from moving through the surface of the
water and can be harmful to animals and larvae that must break the surface to breathe. The hydrocar-
bons in oil harm juvenile fish, upset fish reproduction, and interfere with the growth and reproduction of
bottom dwelling organisms. Oil and gas ingested by one animal can be passed to the next animal in the
food chain, ultimately resulting in a risk to human health. In a marina, petroleum spills also dissolve the
white Styrofoam in floats and docks and discolor boat hulls, woodwork, and paint. Gasoline spills, which
evaporate quickly, are also a safety problem because of the flammability of gasoline.
BMPs that should be considered and used where appropriate:
D Promote the installation and use of fuel/air separators on air vents or tank stems of inboard fuel
tanks to reduce the amount of fuel spilled into surface waters during fueling
D A void overfilling fuel tanks
D Provide doughnuts or small petroleum absorption pads to patrons to use while fueling to catch
splashback and the last drops when the nozzle is transferred back from the boat to the fuel dock.
D Keep engines properly maintained for efficient fuel consumption, clean exhaust, and fuel economy.
Follow the manufacturer's specifications.
D Ftoutinely check for engine fuel leaks and use a drip pan under engines.
D Avoid pumping any bilge waterthatis oily or has a sheen. Promote the use of materials that either
capture or digest oil in bilges. Examine these materials frequently and replace as necessary.
D Extract used oil from absorption pads if possible, or dispose of it in accordance with petroleum
disposal guidelines.
D Prohibit the use of detergents and emulsifiers on fuel spills.
D Other (describe):
A-x
-------
Appendix A
8. LIQUID MATERIALS MANAGEMENT
Provide and maintain appropriate storage, transfer, containment, and disposal
facilities for liquid material, such as oil, harmful solvents, antifreeze, and paints,
and encourage recycling of these materials.
Liquid material such as fuels, oils, solvents, paints, pesticides, acetone, cleaners, and antifreeze are
potentially harmful or deadly to wildlife, pets, and humans and are toxic to fish and other aquatic organ-
isms when they enter a waterbody. This is true for other types of liquid waste, such as waste fuel, used
oil, spent solvents, battery acid, and used antifreeze. Waste oils include waste engine oil, transmission
fluid, hydraulic fluid, and gear oil. Waste fuels include gasoline, diesel, gasoline/oil blends, and water
contaminated by these fuels.
BMPs that should be considered and used where appropriate:
D Build curbs, berms, or other barriers around areas used,for liquid material storage to contain spills.
D Store liquid materials under cover on a surface that is impervious to the type of material stored.
D Storage and disposal areas for liquid materials should be located in or near repair and maintenance
areas, undercover, protected from runoff with berms or secondary containment, and away from flood
areas and fire hazards.
D Store minimal quantities of hazardous ma terials
D Provide clearly labeled, separate containers for the disposal of waste oils, fuels, and other liquid
wastes.
D Recycle liquid materials where possible.
D Change engine oil and suction oily water from bilges using nonspill vacuum-type systems for spill-
proof oil changes.
D Use antifreeze and coolants that are less toxic to the environment.
D Use alternative liquid ma terials where practical.
D Follow manufacturer's directions and use nontoxic or low-toxicity pesticides.
D Burn used oil used as a heating fuel where permitted by la w.
D Prepare a hazardous materials spill recovery plan and update it as necessary.
D Keep adequate spill response equipment where liquid materials are stored.
D Other (describe):
A-xi
-------
Appendix A
9. SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT
Properly dispose of solid wastes produced by the operation, cleaning, mainte-
nance, and repair of boats to limit entry of solid wastes to surface waters.
Boat maintenance, painting, and repair can result in a range of waste materials, such as sanding debris,
antifoulant paint chips, scrap metal, fiberglass pieces, sweepings, and battery lead and acid. Other solid
waste such as bottles, plastic bags, aluminum cans, coffee cups, six-pack rings, disposable diapers,
wrapping paper, glass bottles, cigarette filters, and fishing line can come from general boating activities
and marina use. Living organisms and the habitats of aquatic animals and plants are harmed by this type
of debris after it enters the water. A litter-free marina is more attractive to present and potential custom-
ers. Reducing a marina's solid wastes also reduces overall disposal costs.
BMPs that should be considered and used where appropriate:
D Encourage marina patrons to avoid doing any debris-producing hull maintenance while their boats are
in the water. When maintenance is done with the boat in the water (for small projects and where
necessary), prevent debris from falling into the water.
D Place trash receptacles in convenient locations for marina patrons. Covered dumpsters and trash
cans are ideal.
D Provide trash receptacles at boat launch sites.
D Provide facilities for collecting recyclable materials.
D Provide boaters with trash bags.
D Use a reusable blasting medium.
D Require patrons to clean up pet wastes and provide a specific dog walking area at the marina.
D Other (describe):
A-xii
-------
Appendix A
10. FISH WASTE MANAGEMENT
Promote sound fish waste management through a combination of fish-cleaning
restrictions, public education, and proper disposal of fish waste.
Sportfishing is very popular, but fish cleaning produces waste that can create water quality problems in
marinas with poor circulation. Too much fish waste in a confined area can lower oxygen levels in the
water, which leads to foul odor and fish kills. Floating fish parts are also an unsightly addition to marina
waters.
BMPs that should be considered and used where appropriate:
D Clean fish offshore where the fish are caught and discard of the fish waste at sea (if allowed by the
state).
D Install fish cleaning stations at the marina, and at boat launch sites.
D Compost fish waste where appropriate.
D Freeze fish parts and reuse them as bait or chum on the next fishing trip.
D Encourage catch-and-release fishing, which does not kill the fish and produced no fish waste.
D Other (describe):
A—xiii
-------
Appendix A
11. SEWAGE FACILITY MANAGEMENT
Install pumpout, dump station, and restroom facilities where needed at new and
expanding marinas to reduce the release of sewage to surface waters. Design
these facilities to allow ease of access and post signage to promote use by the
boating public.
Boat sewage can be a problem when dumped overboard without any treatment. Although the volume of
sewage discharged from boats is not as massive as a typical sewage treatment plant outfall, boat sewage
is very concentrated and can add to the overall problem of fecal coliform bacteria loading to the water
body. Boat sewage also adds extra nutrients that use dissolved oxygen and can stimulate the growth of
algae, which in the worst case can grow so fast that they use oxygen needed by fish and other organisms.
When untreated sewage goes overboard, it can contaminate shellfish, leading to potentially serious human
health risks.
BMPs that should be considered and used where appropriate: , , .
D Install pumpout facilities where needed. Use a system compatible with the manna's needs (fixed-
point systems, dump stations for portable toilets, portable systems, dedicated slipside systems).
D Provide pumpout service at convenient times and at a reasonable cost. .
D Keep pumpout stations clean and easily accessible, and consider having marina staff do pumpouts.
D Provide portable toilet dump stations near small slips and launch ramps.
D Provide restrooms at all marinas and boat ramps.
D Consider declaring marina waters to be a "no discharge" area.
D Establish practices and post signs to control pet waste problems.
D A void feeding of wild birds in the marina.
D Establish no discharge zones to prevent any sewage from entering boating waters.
D Establish equipment requirement policies that prohibit the use of Y-valves on boats on inland waters.
D Other (describe):
A—xiv
-------
Appendix A
12. MAINTENANCE OF SEWAGE FACILITIES
Ensure that sewage pumpout facilities are maintained in operational condition and
encourage their use.
When faced with nonfunctibning sewage collection and disposal facilities, boaters whose holding tanks
are full have three choices: (1) go elsewhere to find an operable pumpout or dump station, which is
inconvenient; (2) discharge sewage directly overboard, which is illegal in no discharge zones and legal
otherwise only through an approved marine sanitation device in nearshore waters; or (3) cease using their
boat toilets, which to some would mean "stop using the boat." In addition, one inoperable pumpout might
overload another pumpout nearby, tempting boaters to discharge illegally, particularly if the other one is
not free or charges a higher fee. •
BMPs that should be considered and used where appropriate:
D Maintain a dedicated fund and issue a contract for pumpout and dump station repair and mainte-
nance (applies to government-operated marinas, pumpout stations, and dump stations only).
D Regularly inspect and maintain sewage facilities.
D Disinfect the suction connection of a pumpout station (stationary or portable) by dipping it into or
spraying it with disinfectant.
D Maintain convenient, clean, dry, and pleasant restroom facilities in the marina.
D Other (describe):
A-xv
-------
Appendix A
13. BOAT CLEANING
For boats that are in the water, perform cleaning operations to minimize, to the
extent practicable, the release to surface waters of (a) harmful cleaners and sol-
vents and (b) paint from in-water hull cleaning.
Many boat cleaners contain harsh chlorine, ammonia, phosphates, and other chemicals that can harm fish
and other aquatic life. Some chemicals in these cleaners become more concentrated in aquatic organisms
as they are ingested by other animals and might eventually find their way into fish and shellfish that are
eaten by people. Chemicals and debris from washing boat topsides, decks, and hull surfaces can be kept
out of the water with some common sense boating practices.
BMPs that should be considered and used where appropriate:
D Wash boat hulls above the waterline by hand. Where feasible, remove boats from the water and
clean them where debris can be captured and properly disposed of.
D Buy and use detergents and cleaning compounds that will have minimal impact on the aquatic
environment.
D Avoid In-the-water hull scraping or any abrasive process that is done underwater that could remove
paint from the boat hull.
O Switch to long-lasting and low-toxicity or nontoxic antifouling paints.
D Minimize the impacts of wastewater from pressure washing.
D Other (describe):
A-xvi
-------
Appendix A
14. BOAT OPERATION
Manage boating activities where necessary to decrease turbidity and physical
destruction of shallow-water habitat.
Boat and personal watercraft traffic through very shallow water and nearshore areas at wake-producing
speeds can resuspend bottom sediments and erode shorelines, all of which can increase turbidity in the
water column. Turbid waters block the penetration of sunlight to underwater plants that need light for
survival, and they reduce visibility for fish that rely on sight to catch their prey. Vessel traffic can also
uproot submerged aquatic vegetation which is habitat for fish and shellfish and food for waterfowl,
recycles nutrients released from matter decomposing in the waterbody, and reduces wave energy at
shorelines, thus protecting them from erosion. Vessel traffic might also chum up harmful chemicals that
have been trapped in the sediments and might contaminate fish and shellfish that people eat. Propellers or
jet drives, when in contact with the bottom, dig visible furrows across the soil and the vegetation, which
can take years to recover.
BMPs that should be considered.,and used where appropriate:
D Restrict boater traffic in shallow-water areas.
D Establish and enforce no wake zones to decrease turbidity, shore erosion, and damage in marinas.
D Other (describe):
A-xvii
-------
Appendix A
15. PUBLIC EDUCATION
Public education, outreach, and training programs should be instituted for boaters,
as well as marina owners and operators, to prevent improper disposal of polluting
material.
A boating public that understands the causes and effects of pollution is more likely to want clean waters
and healthy aquatic environments. If they are told about the simple and effective ways that they can
reduce their impact on the environment, they will usually be happy to do their part. Public education is one
of the most effective ways to reduce pollution in and around marinas and from recreational boating.
BMPs that should be considered and used where appropriate:
D Use signs to inform marina patrons of appropriate clean boating practices.
D Establish bulletin boards for environmental messages and idea sharing.
D Promote recycling and trash reduction programs.
D Hand out pamphlets or flyers, send newsletters, and add inserts to bill mailings with information
about how recreational boaters can protect the environment and have clean boating waters.
D Organize and present enjoyable environmental education meetings, presentations, and demonstrations.
D Educate and train marina staff to do their jobs in an environmentally conscious manner and to be
good role models for marina patrons.
D Insert language into facility contracts that ensures that tenants use certain areas and clean boating
techniques when maintaining their boats. Use an environmental agreement that ensures that tenants
will comply with the manna's best management practices.
D Have a clearly written environmental best management practices agreement for outside contractors
to sign as a precondition to working on any boat in the marina.
D Participate with an organization that promotes clean boating practices.
D Provide MARPOL placards to boaters.
D Paint signs on storm drains indicating that anything placed in it or runoff to it drains directly to
surface waters (where drainage is not to a treatment plant).
D Establish and educate marina patrons about rules governing fish-cleaning.
D Educate boaters about good fish cleaning practices.
D Provide information on local waste collection and recycling programs.
D Hold clinics on safe fueling and bilge maintenance.
D Teach boaters how to fuel boats to minimize fuel spills.
D Stock phosphate-free, nontoxic cleaners and other environmentally friendly products.
D Place signs in the water and label charts to alert boaters about sensitive habitat areas.
D Other (describe):
A—xviii
-------
Appendix B
Example
Oil Spill Response Plan
(Note that text in Arial font should be
replaced by facility-specific information.)
-------
Appendix B
Oil Spill Response Plan
Name of Marina
EMERGENCY RESPONSE ACTION: .
Reaction
• Identify the source of the spill if possible.
• Attempt to secure the source of the spill.
• If a spill is observed at the fueling dock, immediately cease all fueling activities.
• Make a preliminary assessment as to what the spill material is and approximately how much has
entered the waterway. This information will dictate what equipment needs to be deployed.
• Advise the facility manager or spill response manager if necessary.
Reporting
• U.S. Coast Guard
• State department of environmental protection
1-800-424-8802
Business hours; 24 hours
All spills that result in a slick or a sheen on the water require that the Coast Guard and state
department of environmental protection be contacted and provided with pertinent information.
Note: All fuel spills, no matter how small, must be reported to the U.S. Coast Guard.
Response
Gasoline spill:
If the spill is small (5 gallons or less):
• Allow natural weathering to reduce and eliminate the spill.
• Do not allow smoking during any spill.
• Do not contain or collect gasoline because confined gasoline might create a risk of
explosion and fire. ,
For larger spills (more than 5 gallons):
• Implement the reporting requirements.
• Secure all electricity.
• Make sure everyone is away from the affected area.
• Do not allow anyone to enter the affected area.
• Use water hoses to wash the spill away to protect docks and boats.
• Contact the fire department and harbormaster.
Other oil spills (crude and refined residual oils, diesel fuel, and kerosene):
B-ii
-------
Appendix. B
• Contain the oil spill using a curtain boom to prevent spreading. When possible, completely
surround the source.
• If the oil was spilled in an upland area, use an absorbent boom and pads to contain the
material and prevent it -from entering the waterbody.
• If more oil than can be contained by the boom was spilled, contact: name of primary
contact for additional spill equipment.
• Once the spill is contained, use absorbent material to collect the oil. Absorbent pads can
be placed within the boomed area, retrieved, wrung out, and placed back in the boomed
area.
• If spreading is occurring too rapidly or other conditions prevent the containment of the oil,
use the boom to deflect the oil from critical or sensitive areas.
PERSONNEL
Spill Manager
Name of person responsible for maintaining plan and equipment inventory.
Qualified Staff
List marina staff authorized to implement the spill plan.
Marina spokesperson: One person who is responsible for communicating to enforcement officials,
customers, and the media. Using one person helps to ensure a consistent message.
Contact for Additional Assistance
In the event that this facility needs the services of a professional oil spill response company, con-
tact: list the name of a professional oil spill response company with whom prior arrangements exist.
This service should be requested only by the facility manager or the spill response manager.
THREATS
Maximum Threat(s)
Overfilling pf gasoline during fueling, creating explosion hazard: The most common spill occurrence
will result from overfilling of gasoline and diesel fuel tanks at the fueling dock. Gasoline, because of
its flammability, is the greatest threat.
Vessel spill
Under a worst-case scenario, the largest on-board fuel tank is aboard a 50-foot
powerboat that carries approximately 200 gallons of diesel fuel and 20 gallons of
crankcase oil. This would pose a maximum threat if this vessel was to sink within the
marina perimeter.
Spill from fuel storage tank or connections to pumping station
On-site there is a gallon in-ground storage tank that is connected to the fuel
pumping station by a series of flexible and rigid hoses. A fuel spill could result from
the failure of one of the connections. A spill could also result when the fuel tank is
being filled.
B-iii
-------
Appendix B
Minimum Threats
Spill from waste oil receptacle: On site there is a 200-gallon waste oil receptacle. It is
located 100 yards from the coastal edge and is surrounded by an impervious berm de-
signed to retain 110 percent of the receptacle's volume.
SPILL RESPONSE EQUIPMENT
Available On-site Resources
(1) 150-foot harbor curtain boom (3 times the length of the vessel with the largest fuel tank)
Operational characteristics: deflects and contains oil in the water. Curtain boom is suscep-
tible to wind, waves, and current. These factors can cause/oil to escape over the top and under
the bottom of the boom. '•'..'' ';.
Deployment: Can be attached to a fixed structure or to an anchor. Place downstream of oil
spill. If surface current is moving greater than 0.7 knot, the boom will not contain oil acting at a
right angle to it. The boom angle will need to be adjusted to decreasing angles as the speed of
the current increases.
Disposal: The boom, if maintained properly, can be used multiple times. The average life span
for the boom is approximately 5 to 10 years, depending on the use it receives.
Maintenance: Rinse thoroughly with fresh water. Be sure to collect with absorbents any
remaining oil on the boom. Store out of sunlight in a manner that allows quick deployment.
(2) 80 feet of 5-inch absorbent boom (37.5 ft3; 84 Ib)
Operational characteristics: Boom has little inherent strength and might need extra flotation
to keep from sinking when laden with oil.
(3) 200 individual absorbent pads (3/8 in. x 18 in. x 18 in.)
Operational characteristics: Use absorbents only in low current velocity situations.
Deployment: Place absorbents on spilled .oil. Recovery efficiency decreases rapidly once outer
layer is oil-soaked.
Disposal: May be wrung out and reused. (See manufacturer's specifications.) At the end of
the useful life, wring out and store in a sealed container. The container will be disposed of by a
contracted waste hauler.
Maintenance: When possible, wring out and dry after use. (See manufaeturer's'jspecifica-
tions.) Otherwise, material will be disposed of properly.
(4) Empty 55-gallon drum with lid for storage of collected oil
(5) Gloves
(6) Pitchfork
(7) Two 15-lb Danforth anchors
(8) Mooring lines
(9) Standard mop or laundry wringer
B-iv
-------
Appendix B
Location
The spill response equipment is stored in the spill response shed located adjacent to the
maintenance shed. Key number 000, which the manager holds on the master ring,
opens the spill response shed.
Additional Equipment
If the rapid deployment of additional resources is necessary, we have secured permission to use
equipment from: List local sources of equipment and how they can be reached, e.g.,
neighboring marina, they can be reached on VHP CH 68 or by calling 555-0000.
Coast Guard oil spill response trailer is also available as a first-aid measure.
NOTES
Do not use dispersants on oil/fuel spills. Dispersants include products manufactured specifically for
that purpose and more common products such as detergent. Using them simply forces the oil into
the water column, where it might be more harmful. Dispersants may be used only with the approval
of the Coast Guard federal on-scene coordinator.
On the downstream side of the marina is a salt marsh that should be protected from a large oil spill.
A floating oil boom should be used to deflect spilled oil away from this critical area.
This response plan will be tested twice a year, with a least one test occurring at the beginning of the
boating season. All of the spill response equipment will be inspected at the time of the tests.
RECORDS
Staff Readiness Drills
Date
date
Drill Simulation
Sinking vessel
Who participated
List of staff members who participated
Supervisor
Signature
B-v
-------
Appendix B
Inspection
Date
date
Inspected by:
Name
Condition/Notes
Notes on equipment condition
Emergency Phone List
• United States Coast Guard, Marine Safety Office: (###) ### - ####
• State Department of Environmental Management: (###) ### - ####
• Local Harbormaster Department: (###) ### - ####
• Local Police Department: (###) ### - ####
• Local Fire Department: (###) ### - ####
Plan last updated: date
Updated by: name
B-vi
-------
Appendix C
Table of Costs and Benefits of Marina
Best Management Practices
(Originally published in USEPA, 1996:
Clean Marinas—Clear Value)
-------
Appendix C
ts
in
ycle
tin
Waste di
bins.
m
de
als
o
"
sa
for
of
fee
g
8
8
R<31*
§
cs"
* •£
B-B
8
recy
NJ
1.
M
ycling
5. Public education and
Cap Sante Boat Haven, WA
itat as
g und
a, CT
.
far
M
Ri
11
re
pu
N
C-ii
-------
Appendix C
Co1
CT\
<£
co
>-*
1
g
s
"a
&
a
•c
1
6
•s
Appendix C: Costs and Benefits
I
Si
jj O fl
1* I a
**^ tS* 3 c3
^ S *P
^ fl
'« "3 9
li i
S 3 o
^
l-a 1
°
2s e^ §
a ^ §
TO •*-» ,S
•
S
/»
17. Dustless vacuum sanding - The
Lodge of Four Seasons Marina, MO
0
£
. ' t
g>.a £
•° £ J
State grant funded $58,600 cost of pumpou
city hauls the marina's septic waste for free,
saved an equivalent of $8,220 in septic hau
o
CO
cs_
*rT
O
ffr
cf
ta
8
|
8
18. Floating pumpout and restroom
barge to serve transients - Oak Harbor
Marina, WA
-a
i
j>
Savings on cleanup costs, less the cost of la
screen tarps.
o
of
s
o^
w-
1
of
N"
,_,
0
N"
19. Outdoor boat repaks done over
screen tarps - Port Annapolis Marina,
MD
S
ts
^
S
o5
ji
Additional dock rental income attributed to
quality.
**"!
r-T
o"
T)
21. Wash water recycled without
chemicals - Summerfield Boat Works,
FL
M
g
1 •§
Cost savings on disposal and energy, less ar
maintenance costs, plus additional boat repi
Tf
oo"
w-
s
•^t_
w
f
°°*
oC
§•
I
o
0
g
22. Used oil burner installed to heat
boat repak building - West Access
Marina, IL
1
.3
|
1
•a
o,
1
\o
*T
oo-
VO
en
vo"
«fl-
s
-w-
o
00
•o
^
23. Floating personal watercraft (PWC)
fueling dock prevents spillage - Winter
Yacht Basin, NJ
03
• 1-4 ^
«) 'S 2
a .a -S
No calculations because chain-wide efforts
difficult to attribute benefits to any one part
change; owners, however, felt strongly that
improvements made good business sense.
+
^j
J2J
^
1
|
1
24. Envkonmental changes at boatyard
chain - Brewer Yacht Yards; NY, CT,
RI.MA.ME
+
^J
^H
g
1
0
|
25. Envkonmental changes at marina
chain - Westrec Marinas, Inc.; national
C-//7
-------
Appendix C
C-iv
-------
Appendix D
Federal Laws Related to Marinas
and Recreational Boating
-------
Appendix D
ll projects that distu
bmit a Notice of In
An
y
ti
Mu
Mu
req
O <« .5
to
mil 411
ng
s
CO
2
8
DC
ro
CO
co
co
1
CD
CC
2
CD
73
0)
JS
S
p
•o
S.
So
tf
i i! ! H
i2o
Water
8.
for C
I
Srf s
o to
D-/7
-------
Appendix D
It is u
or age
distribut,
any paint
spray can
Ide
ha
fac
Nu
o
D)
"5
o
CO
To
c
o
%—'
'S
o
CD
rr
03
CC
CC
I
li
o
DC
co
I
CO
o3
-
CD
LL
.92
s
S.
Water Act,
PR 153.305
en
D G-
• *5b
D-iii
-------
Appendix D
« 2s £
o
.0.
D)
ra
o
m
"ro
a
2
o
(D
oc
to
CO
ro
co
JSS
o
CC
1
d
is
*M
.O
s
s
.2
•3
I
S
0\
•3£S
K«-> Q.^UJJ-"
fs^ llf.ll.1
S y B 5> ^ o o
sj so'SSS0'
CJPU PB.a^s^s's.
••3-3
D-/V
-------
Appendix D
.s-i
CD
I
o
CD
15
g
"ts
•£
o
CD
or
•a
I
CO
T3
1
CD
CC
CD
CD
U_
Q
CD
.CO
t
i
q
CO
3"
! O
! o
i •*
< CO
S
f
Q H
0
•a
Q
CO
-------
Appendix D
V
"c
E
a
DC
CO
I
1
CD
73
Q
D-vi
-------
Appendix E
Web Sites with Information Related to Marinas
and Recreational Boating
-------
Appendix E
SOME WEBSITES TO VISIT
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office
of Wetlands, Oceans, and Watersheds
http://www. epa.gov/owow/
Information on the control of nonpoint source
pollution, the condition of the water-related
environment, and the management and
restoration of watersheds.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of
Solid Waste and Emergency Response
http://www.epa.gov/swerrims/
Provides policy, guidance, and direction for the
land disposal of hazardous wastes, underground
storage tanks, solid waste management,
encouragement of innovative technologies, source
reduction of wastes, and the Superfund Program.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency,Office
of Wetlands, Oceans, and Watersheds
Publications On Line
http://www.epa.gov/OWOW/info/PubList/
publist4.html
http://earthl.epa.gov/OWOW/info/NewsNotes/
A variety of EPA publications related to
Nonpoint Source Pollution that can be ordered
or read on the Internet.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office
of Wetlands, Oceans, and Watersheds
Publications On Line
http://www.epa.gov/OWOW/info/PubList/
publist4.html
http://earth l.epa. gov/O WO W/info/News Notes/
A variety of EPA publications related to
Nonpoint Source Pollution that can be ordered
or read on the Internet.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Index
of Watershed Indicators
http://www. epa.gov/surf/iwi
Maps and information about watersheds nationwide.
Locate your own watershed and learn about the
quality of the waters in it, sources of pollution, and
organizations active in protecting it
U.S. Coast Guard Kids' Corner
http://www. uscg. mil/hq/g-cp/kids/kidindx. html
Activities and information for kids about safety
and clean boating practices; "The Adventures
of Captain Cleanwater: An Activity Book for
Kids About Clean and Safe Boating" and "The
True Story of Inky the Whale."
E-ii
-------
Appendix E
National Sea Grant National Depository
http://nsgd.gso. uri. edu
Searchable archive of all Sea Grant-funded
documents since 1967, including hundreds of
studies on boating, marinas, and the
environment, plus many educational flyers,
brochures, and fact sheets; well worth the visit.
National Sea Grant College Program
http://ww w. mdsg. umd. edu/NSGO/
Information about the National Sea Grant
program and links to state Sea Grant programs
nationwide.
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Clean Vessel
Act Program
http://fa.r9.fws.gov/cva/cva.html
Information on the CVA program, which
provides grants for pumpout and dump
stations for boaters to dispose of human waste
in an environmentally safe manner.
Tennessee Valley Authority
http://www.tva.gov/river/recreation/index.httn
Information on the camping and recreation
areas operated by the TVA. TVA operates
some 100 public recreation areas throughout
the Tennessee Valley, including campgrounds,
day-use areas, and boat launching ramps. Their
opening and closing dates are listed at this site,
as well as contact numbers.
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
http://www.usace.army.mil/inet/functions/cw/
cecwo/recrea.htm
Information about all of the lakeside parks that
are administered by the Army Corps of
Engineers. The Lakeside Recreation Resource
page shows a map. Just click on an area of the
country that you are interested in and the maps
will show you all the information you need
about the USAGE park system.
Canadian Coast Guard
http://www.pacific.ccg-gcc.gc.ca/Epages/
offboat/pae/pme. htm
Protecting the Aquatic Environment: A
Boater's Guide with valuable information on
managing waste, boat maintenance, antifouling
paint, batteries, introduced species, tips for
protecting the aquatic environment, spill
reporting, and more.
E-iii
-------
Appendix E
Florida Department of Environmental Protection
http://www. dep. state.fl. us
Information and management practices for
managing the following types of waste:
•Distress signal flares
• Batteries (lead acid marine/auto and rechargeable)
•Mercury-containing devices: bilge pump float
switches, air conditioning thermostats
•Mercury containing lamps: fluor-escent and
high-intensity discharge
•Refrigerants and asbestos.
Maryland Department of Natural Resources
http://www.dnr.state.ind.us/boating/
Links to a variety of pages with information of
interest to boaters, including:
•Boating Regulations
•Boating Safety
•Clean Marina Initiative
•Public Boating Facilities
•Pumpout Program
•Vessel Requirements
•Weather.
National Safe Boating Council
http://www.safeboatingcouncil.org/
The mission of the NSBC is to provide a forum
for advancing and fostering safe boating, and
for educating the public in safe boating
principles, by developing and facilitating an
ongoing series of campaigns to promote safe
boating principles and practices; facilitating the
distribution and dissemination of information
on safe boating; promoting the development of
research initiatives to support boating
education and safety awareness; improving the
professional development of boating safety
educators; and encouraging the development
and implementation of outstanding boating
safety programs.
Marina Operators Association of America
(MOAA)
http://www. nmma. org/affiliates/usa/moaa
MOAA works for the enhancement of the
recreational marina industry through:
•Stimulating a continuing exchange of ideas
•Updating marina operators on new
information
•Banding together to maintain a strong
national voice
•Encouraging marina operators to institute the
best management practices
•Joining to establish a clean marina program
•Encouraging marina operators to be proactive
in their customer's boating experience.
National Marine Manufacturers Association
http://www.nmma.org
NMMA members—more than i,600
companies—produce every conceivable
product used by recreational boaters. NMMA
provides a wide variety of programs and
services tailored to member needs: technical
expertise, standards monitoring, government
relations avocation, industry statistics, and
more. NMMA produces boat shows, including
the world's largest marine trade show, the
International Marine Trades Exhibit &
Convention (IMTEC), in key North American
markets.
International Marina Institute
http://www. imimarina. com
IMI is a nonprofit membership organization
serving the global marine industry. It offers
management training, education, and
information about research, legislation, and
environmental issues affecting the marina
industry. IMI is a marine trade organization
that encompasses all segments of the marina
business both nationally and internationally.
E-iv
-------
Appendix E
Marine Environmental Education Foundation
http://www. meef-org
MEEF is a national, nonprofit, tax-exempt,
charitable foundation founded to bring
together national specialists to develop
education programs and research on marine
environmental issues. Its goal is to create and
present educational programs that will result in
cleaner waters for the boating public. MEEF is
the creator and sponsor of the National Clean
Boating Campaign.
National Boating Federation
http://outdoorsource. com/nbf
The largest nationwide alliance of recreational
boating organizations, yacht and boating clubs,
and individual members focused on promoting
recreational boating activities. The National
Boating Federation often appears before
congressional committees to testify on boating
matters.
Boat Owners Association of the United States
h ftp://www. boatus. com
Provides services including representing the
interests of boat owners on Capitol Hill;
insuring members' boats; operating an on-the-
water towing network; and providing discount
boating equipment through the Internet, mail
order, and marine centers. BoatU.S. publishes
widely circulated publications for boaters,
serves as an educator in marine safety and
environmental issues, and routinely tests and
reports on boating safety equipment and other
products.
Marine Retailers Association of America
http://www. mraa. com
MRAA is the nation's largest marine retailers
trade association, representing an industry with
more than 100,000 employees and nearly $20
billion in sales annually. The mission of the
MRAA—Progress through Participation with
Industry Partners—is accomplished by
promoting programs and services and helping
create an environment that helps marine
retailers to operate. MRAA promotes and
furthers the interests of all its member
companies and the marine industry in general.
Center for Marine Conservation
http://www.cmc-ocean.org
The Center for Marine Conservation is
committed to protecting ocean environments
and conserving the global abundance and
diversity of marine life. Through science-based
advocacy, research, and public education, CMC
promotes informed citizen participation to
reverse the degradation of our oceans.
BoatFacts Online
http://www. boat/acts, com/home.asp
Information on boating products, publications,
marinas, classifieds, engines, boats, legislative
issues, organizations, discussion forums, and a
boating calendar.
E-v
-------
Appendix E
E-vi
-------
Appendix F
Storm Water Runoff Management Practice Tables
-------
Appendix F
.
g
cs
«
§
M
O
"•£>
I
es and disadvantages of management
oo
2
c
ta
•^
vH
^
2
&
!°
u o c to
ill!
a?
>> tq V) S
•u 8 s B ' e
B> 52 *z3 O
« JJ . g g S -0
su *o rj "O . M-l JO
• Not economical for drainage area less than 1 0 aci
• Potential safety hazards if not properly maintaine
• If not adequately maintained, can be an eyesore, 1
mosquitoes, and create undesirable odors
• Requires considerable space, which limits use in
urbanized areas with expensive land and property
• Not suitable for hydrologic soil groups "A" and '
NRCS classification) unless a liner is used
• With possible thermal discharge and oxygen dep]
severely impact downstream aquatic life
u."
8) T3
Jj T3 §
<2 "g >- JS
> § 8 1
"f; -0 M H
K •= tj a
Eg g § o.
1 I 1 1
Can provide peak flow control
Can serve large developments; most co
more intensively developed sites
Enhances aesthetics and provides recre
Little ground water discharge
Permanent pool in wet ponds helps to j
resuspension of sediments
Provides moderate to high removal of I
soluble urban runoff pollutants
•a
0
ex
0
f
';„
H
1
&
C3
2
1
3
c
f£*
O
"O tt> " **-3
o "^J S J2
11 S2
g i •« i
c5 51-88
111
% £ 3
(/i -' QJ
' Possible risk of contaminating ground water
• Only feasible where soil is permeable and there i;
depth to rock and water table
• Fairly high failure rate
• If not adequately maintained, can be and eyesore:
mosquitoes, and create undesirable odors
• Regular maintenance activities cannot prevent ra]
of infiltration basin
§
1 « |
to n> r^3
C S C c3
S CU O '^
3 Ot Ti fc
=3 S o-S
»« ^CL °
Provides ground water recharge
Can serve large developments
High removal capability for particulate
moderate removal for soluble pollutant
When basin works, it can replicate prec
hydrology more closely than other BM
Basins provide more habitat value than
systems
c
0
>s .5
s '^
S5
S
O 4_J G
.S *« ,2 o M
g ^ B "5 *§
^ 1 Is § •§
Jill!
g
'o
1
-_ ,c
• Possible risk of contaminating ground water
1 Only feasible where soil is permeable and there i:
depth to rock and water table
• Since not as visible as other BMPs, less likely to
maintained by residents
' Requires significant maintenance
a
"8 o
§ £§
1 • 8 8
"3 S 'a!
3 o £•
C C *rt
§ -§
j§ ooC
•5 o _
Provides ground water recharge
Can serve small drainage areas
Can fit into medians, perimeters, and o
development site
Helps replicate predevelopment hydro!
weather baseflow, and reduces bankful
a
0
^ o
hS S
5£ t , _,
.S o a §
8 "° .1 "f
*S § g •§ Jf'g'
Jllfll
_ » -a
"c ^ IS
tti 0> > OO
• Requires regular maintenance
• Possible risk of contaminating ground water
• Only feasible where soil is permeable, there is su
depth to rock and water table, and there are gentl
> Not suitable for areas with high traffic volume
• Need extensive feasibility tests, inspections, and
level of construction workmanship (Schueler, 19:
• High failure rate due to clogging
• Not suitable to serve large off-site pervious areas
t-T
1 H 1
iC (U r,
o S o
13 '§ o1 . §
§ S "3 &
O i-i ^ Sj
I a ,"§ I
ctf C Ci<
Provides ground water recharge
Provides water quality control without
consumption of land
Can provide peak flow control
High removal rates for sediment, nutrie
and trace metals
When operating properly can replicate
hydrology
Eliminates the need for runoff drainage
treatment systems off-site
C
II
1-t >
o 5
OH CX
o
C
C!
O
f2 -5
c
O "!d
tf5 cd
'1-3
Q-H «
O g
"S g
O*"4 fa
(D
§ I
U a,
F-ii
-------
Appendix F
0)
.£
2 %>
3 co
la
0
U
o>
an
1
Disadva
Advantages
•w
g
§ tc
CUD O
a i
1*
II
H '
ft.
f
i
i
•:i
*j
fi-
ll
1
i
|v
i
|
••
*
"".
«
1
0
.0
sg
i
vr-
E
-;e:
o
C
§
11
11
^O
cd
C
••3 g>
4> ™
co "go
•§>§>
0 ""
I*
•S o
VH
§ |
§ |
Requires pretreatment of storn
to prevent filter media from pi
.
I S3
• Ability to accommodate medium-size developm
acres)
1 Flexibility to provide or not provide ground wat
• Can provide peak volume control
£
03
f~i
C
o
1
X
"*
^
>'
,
**
f
<•
i
t
1
#
4
x
**
^
.1
H
&
§
s
i
i
<£!
••4
2*
O,73
|l
| g|
S*
«
3
o
SJ W
I '1
oo 3
C C
oj C
si "c3
>^H 4_»
Low pollutant removal rates
Leaching from culverts and fe
increase the presence of trace
. .
"O
2 §
f~S °
3 "2
M OK
• Requires minimal land area
1 Can be used as part of the runoff conveyance sy;
provide pretreatment
1 Can provide sufficient runoff control to replace
gutter in single-family residential subdivisions a
highway medians
1 Economical
_o
M
OO
2
•*
^
^
f
$
,
I
^
f
e
«
1
1
1
€
-!_»
s
i
*j
8
1
I
•S
•Xfiii
8
•a
1
g
ij'S:
jg
"3:
i
i
2
fe 1
§ 'o
w 3 E
8 jj S §
-§ •§ S c
f 11 -8 1
c §^ I "2
•S -G u G §
t | '- G ^
_^ M 5 o *S
•S a -S ° -2
Often concentrates water, whii
effectiveness
Ability to remove soluble poll
Limited feasibility in highly u:
velocities are high and flow is
Requires periodic repair, regn
prevent channelization
. .
S3
Q §
S .S
S 00
1 Low maintenance requirements
1 Can be used as part of the runoff conveyance sy:
provide pretreatment
1 Can effectively reduce paniculate pollutant leve
where runoff velocity is low to moderate
1 Provides excellent urban wildlife habitat
• Economical
ll
£
•a
0
>• to
«
,G
S
11
11
CA
>, |
o-2? "
ir> T3 o
11 1
S "^ -^
50 to O
,~ «^ O
Not feasible for drainage areai
Only feasible for areas that an
impervious
Not effective as water quality
. .
•o
Cj
•I
(9
1 Provide high removal efficiencies of particulatei
• Require minimal land area
1 Flexibility to retrofit existing small drainage are
1 Higher removal of nutrient as compared to cater.
oil/grit separator
•o
S .a "
g 2 -3
'55 S
£.5 .25
T5-o
^ S
I* o 2
8J3 53
-§S
•a Si
3 2 1
•i
so ^
1 ^
a -u 1,
"" •* .s •*••
•s 1 1 .|
c« a hi ^
S ta G 2
S>E 8 «
Not feasible for drainage area
Minimal nutrient and organic
Not effective as water quality
Concern exists for the pollutai
Require high maintenance
. . . . .
W
S
o
•t -a
0 S >-H
O w a>
•8 s a
• Captures coarse-grained sediments and some hy
1 Requires minimal land area
• Flexibility to retrofit existing small drainage are
applicable to most urban areas
1 Shows some capacity to trap trash, debris, and o
floatabTes
1 Can be adapted to all regions of the country
_a -c
1> ^ •-
QJ . . 1.4
c
si 1
11.8
l— i Cd t/)
»1
| 0 ^.
tl i
§^ li
" J 5 °
Illl •
Removal rates for soluble poll
Not Economical for drainage £
If not adequately maintained,
mosquitoes, and create undesi
. . .
3 'H
2 go
-g || g
§, o G •£•
E "° § 5
• Can provide peak flow control •-•-..
1 Possible to provide good paniculate removal
1 Can serve large development
• Requires less capital cost and land area when co
wet pond
1 Does not generally release water or anoxic wate;
• Provides excellent protection for downstream cl
• Can create valuable wetland and meadow habita
properly landscaped
'O
T3 C 5 "3
"2 -a £ g.
| g-s §
>< u §•!
« -S 5. B
)rmation from Schueler, 1992
t*s
*pt
0
0
>
1
a
!
y
F-//7
-------
Appendix F
c\
"3
3
-C
T3
C
a
C
s
M
VQ
cn
O\
f— <
uT
1
J3
O
; practices (Claytor and S
c
1
ft>
o
o
Table F-2. Costs of sel
u
»-*
3
1
1
12
I
«
p
Construction costs"
8
£3
U
2
Management p:
i
60^ «»
1O 1O '
$7.09/Knearft
$4.91-$9.27/Unearft
$21.82/lhiearft
$8.73-$54.56/linearft
•a —
Vegetated swales*
Established from see
Average
Report range
Established from soc
Average
Report range
4!
2 '
S p
Porous pavemenP
Average
Report range
^
i '
« 1
^ .
Concrete grid pavement
Average
Report range
^
CO
o
!t
1— <
s
-------
Appendix F
a
1
"o
;
S
*•
n
^
£
„
1
i
i
$
1
§
i
i
^
!
1 Management pra
ci-5 ci-5 S-S c3 oo
o\ en **^* ^^ *^? CN ^> fs^
o QQ cn o\ « ' n\ S **\
, — i t/3 *•"< ^ CN % t~- »— <*
** .. ** .. ** .. ^^
§ So H 2J> £ w> c'S
32 3 § 3jS BS1
^"S ^S ^S ^J
Or O i O i O i
>D ' >D ' >D ' D
35*?ti
^S2
ggg
Erf. Detention Dry Pond**
Average
Report range
Probable range
4;
OO
q
Q
i 1 1
§
^^
v>
^ 1 1
III
%S*f *f
S
Wei Pond anrf Extended Deten
WetPomf
Storage vol. < I million ft3
Average
Report range
Probable range
$
OO
o
o'
' 3t '
o
' O
V*
O | |
ID ' '
1%^
b >D ID
2 ID >D
M 0 0
^ «9-«»
^ 1 1
f; >D i-i
cs P *-;
sss
Storage vol. > I million ft3
Average (probable)
Report range (probable)
Probable range
£
.S
1
§
1
1
S
j3
I
'S
^ 1
N ra
1 ||
1 1^
"3 § &
i Sf
w *O ^
1 ll
J3 ^
| ||
o J3 2
0 "-• fl
* T3 0
co a "d
1 11
o c a
3 O ra
q 3 >>
o c in
5 s2
op ^ ^
•Costs updated to 2000 dollars usii
'Claytor and Schueler, 1996.
References indicate the useful life
assumed to have a useful life span
dBrown and Schueler, 1997.
is
atio
atio
'Use
*No
fNo
Th
F-v
-------
Appendix F
F-vi
-------
Bibliography
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Amaral, M., and V. Lee. 1994. Environmental guide for marinas: Controlling nonpoint source and
storm -water pollution in Rhode Island. Rhode Island Sea Grant, Narragansett, Rhode Island.
ASCE. 1994. Planning and design guidelines for small craft harbors. ASCE Manuals and Reports on
Engineering Practice No. 50. American Society of Civil Engineers, New York, New York.
Barbour, M.T., J. Gerritsen, B.D. Snyder, and J.B. Stribling. 1999. Rapid bioassessment protocols for
use in streams and wadeable rivers: Periphyton, benthic macroinvertebrates, and fish. 2nd Edition.
EPA 841-B-99-002. U.S.Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Water, Washington, DC.
BLS. 2000. Consumer Price Indexes. Bureau of Labor Statistics. . Last
updated August 16, 2000. Accessed August 21, 2000.
Bluewater. 1998. Environmental impact of two-stroke marine engines. Bluewater Network, San
Francisco, California.
British Waterways Board. 1983. Waterway ecology and the design of recreational craft. Inland
Waterways Amenity Advisory Council, London, England.
Brown, W, and T. Schueler. 1997. The economics of storm water BMPs in the mid-Atlantic region:
Final report. Prepared by the Center for Watershed protection, Ellicott City, Maryland, for the Chesa-
peake Research Consortium, Edgewater, Maryland.
Cahill Associates. 1991. Limiting NPS pollution from new development in the New Jersey coastal
zone. New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, Trenton, New Jersey.
Caraco, D., and R. Winer. 2000. National pollutant removal performance database for stormwater
treatment practices. 2nd ed. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Office of Science and Technology,
Washington, DC.
Cardwell, R.D., and R.R. Koons. 1981. Biological consideration for the siting and design of marinas
and affiliated structures in Puget Sound. Technical Report No. 60. Washington Department of Fisher-
ies, Olympia, Washington.
CARWQCB. 1989. Staff report: State mussel -watch program. California Regional Water Quality
Control Board, Los Angeles Region. March 27.
Chmura, G.L., and N.W. Ross. 1978. The environmental impacts of marinas and their boats: A
literature review with management considerations. Marine Advisory Service, University of Rhode
Island, Narragansett, Rhode Island.
City of Austin, Texas. 1990. The first flush of runoff and its effects on control structure design.
Claytor, S., and T. Schueler. 1996. Design of storm water filtering systems. Prepared for the Chesa-
peake Research Consortium, Solomons, Maryland, and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency,
Region 5, Chicago, Illinois.
Fisher, J.S., R.R. Perdue, M.F. Overton, M.D. Sobsey, and B.L. Sill. 1987. Comparison of water quality
at two recreational marinas during a peak-use period. University of North Carolina Sea Grant College
Program, Raleigh, North Carolina.
B-i
-------
Bibliography
FLDEP. 2000. Florida's Clean Marina Program. Florida Department of Environmental Protection,
Tallahassee, Florida. April.
Florida Sea Grant College Program. 1999. Panic preventer file. 2nd Edition. SGEB-45. Florida Sea Grant
College Program, Gainesville, Florida. September.
Gaines, A.G., and A.R. Solow. 1990. The distribution of fecal coliform bacteria in surface waters of
the Edgartown harbor coastal complex and management implications. Woods Hole Oceanographic
Institution, Woods Hole, Massachusetts.
Grovhoug, J.G., P.F. Seligman, G. Vafa, and R.L. Fransham. 1986. Baseline measurements of butyltin in
U.S. harbors and estuaries. In Proceedings Oceans 86, Volume 4 Organotin Symposium, Institute of
Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc., New York, New York. Pp. 1283-1288.
Hall, L.W., Jr., M.J. Lenkevich, W.S. Hall, A.E. Pinkney, and S.T. Bushong. 1987. Evaluation of butyltin
compounds in Maryland waters of Chesapeake Bay. Marine Pollution Bulletin 18(2):78-83.
Hamrick, J.M. 1992a. A three-dimensional environmental fluid dynamics computer code: Theoretical
and computational aspects. Special Report 317. The College of William and Mary, Virginia Institute of
Marine Science, Blacksburg, Virginia. 63 pp.
Hamrick, J.M. 1992b. Estuarine environmental impact assessment using a three-dimensional circulation
and transport model. In Proceedings of the 2'"1 International Conference, Estuarine and Coastal
Modeling. M.L. Spaulding et al., eds. American Society of Civil Engineers, New York, New York. Pp.
292-303.
Hamrick, J.M. 1994. Linking hydrodynamic and biogeochemcial transport models for estuarine and
coastal waters. In Proceedings of the 2nd International Conference, Estuarine and Coastal Model-
ing. M.L. Spaulding et al., eds. American Society of Civil Engineers, New York, New York. Pp. 591-608.
Hamrick, J.M. 1996. A user's manual for the environmental fluid dynamics computer code (EFDC).
Special Report 331. The College of William and Mary, Virginia Institute of Marine Science, Blacksburg,
Virginia. 234 pp.
Hamrick, J.M., and T.S. Wu. 1996. Computational design and optimization of the EFDC/HEM3D surface
water hydrodynamic and eutrophication models. In Computational methods for next generation
environmental models, G. Delich, ed. Society of Industrial and Applied Mathematics, Philadelphia,
Pennsylvania.
Horner, R.R. 1988. Environmental monitoring and evaluation of calcium magnesium acetate. Na-
tional Research Council, Transportation Research Board, Washington, DC.
IEP. 1991. Vegetated buffer strip designation method guidance manual. Narragansett Bay Project.
Prepared for the U.S. Enviromental Protection Agency and the Rhode Island Department of Environmen-
tal Management, Providence, Rhode Island.
Industrial Products Co. 1991. Safety equipment and supplies. Industrial Products Co., Langhorne, PA.
Maguire, R.J. 1986. Review of the occurrence, persistence and degradation of tributyltin in fresh water
ecosystems in Canada. In Proceedings Oceans 86, Volume 4 Organotin Symposium. Institute of
Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc., New York, New York. Pp. 1252-1255.
Marcus, J.M., and T.P. Stokes. 1985. Polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons in oyster tissue and around
three coastal marinas. Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology 35:833-844.
B-H
-------
Bibliography
Marcus, J.M., G.R. Swearingen, A.D. Williams, and D.D. Heizer. 1988. Polynuclear aromatic hydrocar-
bons and heavy metals concentrations in sediments at coastal South Carolina marinas. Archives of
Environmental Contamination and Toxicology 17:103-113.
Maryland Department of Natural Resources. 1998. Maryland clean marina guidebook. Maryland
Department of Natural Resources, Annapolis, Maryland.
McMahon, PJ.T. 1989. The impact of marinas on water quality. Water Science Technology 21(2):39-43.
MEEF. 1998. National Clean Boating Campaign action kit, fact sheets, and partner tips. Marine Environ-
mental Education Foundation, Inc., Kingston, Rhode Island.
METRO. 1992. Maritime industrial waste project: Reduction of toxicant pollution from the maritime
industry in Puget Sound. Municipality of Metropolitan Seattle Water Pollution Control Department,
Industrial Waste Section, Seattle, Washington. .
Milliken, A.S., and V. Lee. 1990. Pollution impacts from recreational boating: A bibliography and
summary review. Rhode Island Sea Grant Publications, University of Rhode Island Bay Campus,
Narragansett, Rhode Island.
Moustafa, M.Z., and J.M. Hamrick. 1994. Modeling circulation and salinity transport in the Indian River
Lagoon. In Proceedings of the 3r. Accessed December 1999.
Pisano, W.C., 1989. Swirl concentrators revisited. In Design of Urban Runoff Quality Controls, L.A.
Roesner, B. Urbonas, and M.B. Sonnen, eds. American Society of Civil Engineers, New York, New
York. Pp. 390-402.
Richards, W.R., J.E. Shwop, and R. Romano. 1981. Evaluation of urban stormwater quality and non-
structural best management practices. In Nonpoint Pollution Control: Tools and Techniques for the •
Future, K.C. Flynn, ed. Interstate Commission on the Potomac River Basin, Rockville, Maryland. Pp. 82-
99.
Rhodes, J., J. Marino, M. Amaral, and V. Lee. 1997. Best management practices for clean marinas:
Lessons learned. University of Rhode Island, Coastal Resources Center, Narragansett, Rhode Island.
Romano, F. 1990. Oil and water don't mix: The application of oil-water separation technologies in
stormwater quality. Office of Water Quality, Municipality of Metropolitan Seattle, Seattle, Washington.
Sawyer, C.M., and A.F. Golding. 1990. Marina pollution abatement. International Marina Institute,
Wickford, Rhode Island.
B-iii
-------
Bibliography
SCDHEC. 1987. Heavy metals and extmctable organic chemicals from the Coastal Toxics Monitor-
ing Net\vork, 1984-1986. Technical Report No. 007-87. South Carolina Department of Health and
Environmental Control, Columbia, South Carolina.
Schueler, T.R. 1987. Controlling urban runoff: A practice manual for planning and designing
urban BMPs. Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments, Washington, DC.
Schueler, T.R., J. Galli, L. Herson, P. Kumble, and D. Shepp. 1991. Developing effective BMP strategies
for urban watersheds. In Nonpoint Source Watershed Workshop, September 1. EPA/625/4-91/027.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, DC. Pp. 69-83.
Schueler, T.R., P.A. Kumble, and M.A. Heraty. 1992. A current assessment of urban best management
practices. Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments, Washington, DC.
Seabloom, R.A., G. Plews, F. Cox, and F. Kramer. 1989. The effect of sewage discharges from plea-
sure craft on Puget Sound waters and shellfish quality. Washington State Department of Health,
Shellfish Section, Olympia, Washington.
Shaver, E. 1991. Sand filter design for water quality treatment. Presented at 1991 ASCE Storm water
Conference in Crested Butte, Colorado.
SUverman, G.S., and M.K. Stenstrom. 1989. Source control of oil and grease in an urban area. In Design
of Urban Runoff Quality Controls, L.A. Roesner, B. Urbonas, and M.B. Sonnen, eds. American
Society of Civil Engineers, New York, New York. Pp. 403-420.
Soule, D.F., M. Oguri, and B.H. Jones. 1991. The marine environment of Marina Del Rey: October
1989 to September 1990. Marine Studies of San Pedro Bay, California, Part 20F. University of Southern
California, Los Angeles, California.
Stallard, M., V. Hodge, and E.D. Goldberg. 1987. TBT in California coastal waters: Monitoring and
assessment. Environmental Monitoring and Assessment 9:195-220.
Stephenson, M.D., D.R. Smith, J. Goetzl, G. Ichikawa, and M. Martin. 1986. Growth abnormalities in
mussels and oysters from areas with high levels of tributyltin in San Diego Bay. In Proceedings Oceans
S6, Volume 4, Organotin Symposium. Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc., New York,
New York. Pp. 1246-1251.
SWRPC. 1991. Costs of urban nonpoint source water pollution control measures. Technical Report
No. 31. Prepared by the Southeastern Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission, Waukesha, Wisconsin.
June.
Tanski, J. 1998. Stormwater runoff best management practices for marinas. A guide for operators.
New York Sea Grant Extension Program, Cornell Cooperative Extension, Ithaca, New York.
Tetra Tech. 1988. Rive St. Johns phase II canal system water quality model study. Tetra Tech Report
TC-3668-04. Prepared for Dotsie Builders, Inc., Jacksonville, Florida, by Tetra Tech, Inc., Fairfax,
Virginia.
Tull, L. 1990. Cost of sedimentation/filtration basins. City of Austin, Texas.
University of California Cooperative Extension. 1995. Marina pollution prevention manual. University
of California Cooperative Extension, Sea Grant Extension Program, San Diego, California. August.
USEPA. 1974. Assessing effects on water quality by boating activity. U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency, National Environmental Research Center, Cincinnati, OH.
B-iv
-------
Bibliography
USEPA. 1985. Coastal mannas assessment handbook. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region
4, Atlanta, Georgia. April.
USEPA. 1990. The lake and reservoir restoration guidance manual. 2nd ed. EPA-440/4-90-006. U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Water, Washington, DC. August.
USEPA. 1991. Nonroad engine and vehicle emission study. Report PB92-126960. U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency, Washington, DC.
USEPA. 1992. Managing nonpoint source pollution. Final report to Congress on section 319 of the
Clean Water Act. EPA-506/9-90. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Water, Washington,
DC. January.
USEPA. 1993. Guidance specifying management measures for sources of nonpoint pollution in
coastal waters. EPA 840-B-92-002. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Water, Washing-
ton, DC. January.
USEPA. 1996. Clean marinas—clear value: Environmental and business success stories. EPA 841-
R-96-003. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Water, Washington DC. August.
USEPA. 1998. National water quality inventory: 1996 report to Congress. EPA841-R-97-008. U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Water, Washington, DC. April.
USEPA. 2001. Vessel sewage. .
Accessed June. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Water, Washington, DC.
USEPA and USDOC. 1993. Coastal nonpoint pollution control program. Program development and
approval guidance. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Water, Washington, DC., and
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Washington, DC. January.
USFWS. 1982. Mitigation and enhancement techniques for the upper Mississippi river system and
other large river systems. Resource Publication 149. U.S. Department of the Interior, Arlington, Virginia,
and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Washington, DC.
USFWS. 1997. The Clean Vessel Act of 1992 pumpout grant program American success stories.
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Arlington, Virginia.
Voudrias, E.A., and C.L. Smith. 1986. Hydrocarbon pollution from marinas in estuarine sediments. In
Estuarine, Coastal, and Shelf Science 22:271-284.
Wagner, KJ. 1990. Assessing impacts of motorized watercraft on lakes: Issues and perceptions. In
Proceedings of a National Conference on Enhancing States' Lake Management Programs. North-.
eastern Illinois Planning Commission, Chicago, Illinois. May 17-18. Pp. 77-93. , ,
Wanielista, M.P., and Y.A. Yousef. 1986. Best management practices overview. In Urban Runoff
Quality—Impact and Quality Enhancement Technology, proceedings of an Engineering Foundation
Conference, American Society of Civil Engineers, New York, New York. Pp. 314-322.
Wendt, PH., R.F. Van Dolah, M.Y. Bobo, and J.J. Manzi. 1990. The effects of a marina on certain
aspects of the biology of oysters and other benthic macrofauna in a South Carolina estuary. Unpublished
draft manuscript. South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control, Columbia, South
Carolina.
Wilson, K. 1989. Handbook for the location, design, construction, operation, and maintenance of
boat launching facilities. Prepared for the States Organization for Boating Access, Washington, DC, by
Public Sector Consultants, Inc. March.
B-v
-------
Bibliography
B-vi
-------
Glossary
GLOSSARY
Bathymetric: Pertaining to the depth of a
waterbody.
Bed load transport: Sediment transport along
the bottom of a waterbody due to currents.
Benthic: Associated with the bottom of a
waterbody.
Biocriteria: Biological measures, such as the
incidence of cancer in benthic fish species, that
indicate the health of an environment.
BOD: Biochemical oxygen demand; the quantity
of dissolved oxygen used by microorganisms in
the biochemical oxidation of organic matter and
oxidizable inorganic matter by aerobic biological
action.
CBOD: Carbonaceous biochemical oxygen
demand; the quantity of dissolved oxygen used by
microorganisms in the biochemical oxidation of
organic matter by aerobic biological action.
Circulation cell: See gyre.
Conservative pollutant: A pollutant that
remains chemically Unchanged in the water.
Critical habitat: A habitat determined to be
important to the survival of a threatened or
endangered species, to general environmental
quality, or for other reasons as designated by the
state or federal government.
CVA: Clean Vessel Act of 1992 (P.L. 102-587,
Subtitle F); provides funding to states for the
construction, renovation, operation, and mainte-
nance of additional pumpout facilities and sanitary
waste reception facilities at marinas and other
vessel facilities.
CWA: Clean Water Act. Popular name for the
Federal Water Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C.
1251-1376), amended in 1972 by the Federal
Water Pollution Control Act Amendments of 1972
(P.L. 92-500).
CZARA: Coastal Zone Act Reauthorization
Amendments of 1990. Amended the Coastal
Zone Management Act of 1972 (16 U.S.C. 1451-
1464, Chapter 33; Public Law 92-583).
DO: Dissolved oxygen; the concentration of free
molecular oxygen in the water column.
Drogue-release study: A study of currents and
circulation patterns using objects, or drogues,
placed in the water at the surface or at specified
depths.
Dye-release study: A study of dispersion using
nontoxic dyes.
EPA: The United States Environmental Protec-
tion Agency, the federal agency charged with
ensuring that federal laws protecting human
health and the environment are enforced fairly
and effectively.
Exchange boundary: The boundary between
one waterbody, e.g., a marina, and its parent
waterbody; usually the marina entrance(s).
Fecal coliform bacteria: Bacteria present in
mammalian feces, used as an indicator of the
presence of human feces, bacteria, viruses, and
pathogens in the water column.
Fixed breakwater: A breakwater constructed of
solid, stationary materials.
Floating breakwater: A breakwater constructed
to possess a limited range of movement.
Flushing time: Time required for a waterbody,
e.g., a marina, to exchange its water with water
from the parent waterbody.
GIS: geographical information system; a com-
puter-based system for representing geographical
data and information.
Gyre: A mass of water circulating as a unit and
separated from other circulating water masses by
a boundary of relatively stationary water.
Hydrographic: Pertaining to ground or surface
water.
Ichthyofauna: Fish.
G-i
-------
Glossary
Macrophytes: Plants visible to the naked eye.
Mathematical modeling: Predicting the perfor-
mance of a design based on mathematical equa-
tions.
Micron: Micrometer; one one-millionth
(0.000001) of a meter.
NCDEM DO model: A mathematical model for
calculating dissolved oxygen (DO) concentrations
developed by the North Carolina Division of
Environmental Management (NCDEM).
No-discharge zone, or NDZ: An area where the
discharge of polluting materials is not permitted.
NPDES: National Pollutant Discharge Elimination
System. A permitting system for point source
polluters regulated under section 402 of the Clean
Water Act.
Numerical modeling: See mathematical
modeling.
Nutrient transformers: Biological organisms,
usually plants, that remove nutrients from water
and incorporate them into tissue matter.
OPA: Oil Pollution Act of 1990 (33 USCA 2701-
2761).
Organics: Carbon-containing substances such as
oil, gasoline, and plant matter.
PAH: Polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbon;
multiringed carbon molecules resulting from the
burning of fossil fuels, wood, etc.
Physical modeling: Using a small-scale physical
structure to simulate and predict the performance
of a full-scale structural design.
Rapid bioassessment: An assessment of the
environmental degradation of a waterbody based
on a comparison between a typical species
assemblage in a pristine waterbody and that found
in the waterbody of interest.
Removal efficiency: The capacity of a pollution
control device to remove pollutants from waste-
water or runoff.
Residence time: The length of time water
remains in a waterbody. Generally the same as
flushing time.
Riparian: For the purposes of this report, riparian
refers to areas adjoining coastal waterbodies,
including rivers, streams, bays, estuaries, coves,
and the like.
Sensitivity analysis: Modifying a numerical
model's parameters to investigate the relationship
between alternative [marina] designs and water
quality.
Shoaling: Deposition of sediment causing a
waterbody or location within a waterbody to
become more shallow.
Significant: A quantity, amount, or degree of
importance determined by a state or local govern-
ment.
SOD: Sediment oxygen demand; the biochemical
oxygen demand of microorganisms living in
sediments.
Suspended solids: Solid materials that remain
suspended in the water column.
Tidal prism: The difference in the volume of
water in a waterbody between low tide and high
tide.
Tidal range: The difference in height between
mean low tide and mean high tide.
Velocity shear: Friction created by two masses
of water moving in different directions or at
different speeds in the same direction.
WASP4 model: A generalized modeling system
for contaminant fate and transport in surface
waters; may be applied to biochemical oxygen
demand, dissolved oxygen, nutrients, bacteria, and
toxic chemicals.
G-/7
-------
|