Anchor YB with signMaryland Clean Marina Initiative
Anchor YB with sign

Maryland Clean Marinas Under Way 

Partners in Protection--Clean Marinas and You!AUTUMN 2011
Quick Links

 

 

General Discharge Permit Help 

 

Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan Template 

 

 Clean Marina Program Home Page  

 

Tomes Landing AwardTwo New Maryland Clean Marinas! 

 

 From the Susquehanna to the Potomac, two new Clean Marinas were certified this summer. Tomes Landing Marina (CE County) and BlueHaven Piers (SM County) joined the ranks of Maryland's certified Clean Marinas. They join 143 other facilities that have adopted a significant portion of recommendations from the Maryland Clean Marina Guidebook and passed a site inspection. The Clean Marina Initiative is a voluntary program that promotes and celebrates efforts of marinas, boatyards and yacht clubs to reduce their pollution.  

 

 

Tomes Landing owners David Read and Jack Conrad (L-R pictured above) started the business in June 2000, consisting of two large dry storage buildings that hold approximately 200 boats. In addition to dry storage, the marina offers fuel at a carefully monitored fuel dock, marine sewage pump-outs and engine and boat repair. Pollution prevention controls are implemented in all areas of the operation.   

 

  

 

BluHaven Piers is a small marina that offers boat repair, covered slips and kayak rentals and sales. The marina changed hands in 2006 and is now managed by St. Mary's College alumni, Darden Pickall and Dan Sweeney. They have overseen significant improvements to the property in the past five years including taming overgrown weeds, painting buildings and improving daily operations.  

 

 

To learn more about these or any of the 145 Maryland Clean Marinas, visit our website.  Maryland Clean Marinas are re-inspected at least every three years to ensure they continue to meet award standards.   Marinas, boatyards, and yacht clubs of any size in Maryland are encouraged to participate in the program.  Benefits include confidential compliance assistance, free promotion by DNR at regional boat shows, a free listing on the DNR website, use of the Clean Marina logo, and, in many cases, discounts on marine insurance!  Information and free program materials are available by calling 410-260-8773 or visiting www.dnr.maryland.gov/boating/cleanmarina.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

Annual Marine Trades Association of MD Conference MTAM logo

 

EXPAND Your Knowledge, EXCHANGE Ideas, EXPLORE New Business Models

 

Thursday September 15th at Port Annapolis Marina in Annapolis, MD

 

Join peers in the marine trades in compelling sessions examining business models and environmental issues. Donna Morrow from the MD Clean Marina Program and Shannon McDonald from the MD Department of the Environment will give a joint presentation explaining the purpose of Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plans (required under the new Marina Discharge Permit 10-MA) and give a better understanding of the sampling required.

 

Cost is $55 and includes lunch and breaks. Happy hour follows on site at 5:30 p.m. Register by contacting Susan Zellers at the Marine Trades Association office at 410-269-0741.

Maryland Clean Marina of the Year Contest  cmi logo

 
 
The Maryland Clean Marina Initiative is holding its first "Clean Marina of the Year Contest."  Nominations for the best Maryland Clean Marina will be accepted through the end of the year.  Anyone can nominate a Clean Marina except Program staff and contest sponsors.  Complete contest information is available on the Clean Marina webpage.

 

The winner will be announced in early 2012 and prizes already include generous donations of a gift certificate valued at $1,400 from EMP Industries & Elias Environmental Solutions, a Bio-Remediating Spill Clean Up Kit donated by MESCO, and a supply of environmental boat cleaners from West Marine.  Marine businesses that would like to donate a prize, or anyone wishing to nominate a Clean Marina should contact Donna Morrow at [email protected] or 410-260-8773. 

shrinkwrapShrink Wrap Recycling 2012--Plan Now

  

The Clean Marina Program is attempting to implement a statewide recycling program for 2012.   A meeting with a plastics company interested in creating such a program has been set for later this month. While not confirmed, the concept centers around providing marinas with large bags that boaters or workers can put the shrink wrap into when it is removed.

 

The bags would then be picked up, taken for bailing, and then shipped west for re-use in a manufacturing process. Marinas should watch email and newspapers for announcements on this important topic.

 

In the event that a statewide program to collect and re-use shrink wrap does not take shape, business owners should  plan to recycle shrink wrap independently.  If municipal recycling is not an option, boatyards and marinas should talk to their private trash hauling companies about recycling options.

 

Marinas can offset the cost of the recycling fees by dividing the cost among shrink wrap customers. A small recycling charge (usually $2-3 per boat) can be collected when the boat is wrapped. Small yards and marinas can reduce dumpster and recycling fees by placing one dumpster at a central location and dividing the cost proportionally among several yards.

 

Quite a few counties will recycle the wrap if it is brought to a landfill or transfer station. Marinas should contact their county department of solid waste and/or recycling to inquire. In Anne Arundel (AA) county, residents can put shrink wrap in their curbside recycling bin. Marinas in AA County would be wise to encourage their customers to do so. Again, watch for email bulletins and news articles for any information on a possible statewide shrink wrap recycling program.

bottom cleaning

 

Marina Discharge Permit Help

 

As marinas and boatyards adjust to the recently re-issued General Permit for Discharges from Marinas 10-MA, many are wondering what to do with their wash water if they can no longer discharge it to state waters.  Limits on metals commonly found in bottom washing water (copper, zinc, and lead) go into effect March 1, 2015.  Numeric limits for these metals as well as Total Suspended Solids (TSS) and Oil and Grease are provided on page 15 of the Permit. 

 

Options include holding and hauling the water off site for treatement, installing a closed loop wash water recycling systems, and discharging the water to the sanitary sewer with approval of the treatment plant operator.  The Clean Marina Program has created the following resources to help marina and boatyard operators comply with the new Permit: 

  1. Table of all Compliance Dates/Requirement from Discharge Permit
  2. Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan Template
  3. Vendor List of Wash Water Treatment & Containment Equipment

All of these resources are available on our website.  Additionally, Marina Dock Age Magazine ran an article comparing different wash water recyling and treatment systems.  This article, and all the items listed above, can be found on the Maryland Clean Marina Initiative web page. 

 

These resources are an example of the help that Clean Marinas receive by working directly with program staff.  Additionally, certified Clean Marinas were in compliance with past permits, and are finding complying with the new permit much easier.  Any facility not yet certified is encouraged to pursue the Clean Marina Award.  Contact Donna Morrow at 410-260-8773 for assistance or information on becoming certified. 

 

Steps to Certification as a Maryland Clean Marina are also outlined on our website 

 

Pump-Out Grants

 

Any marine facility in Maryland that is open to the general boating public, is eligible to apply for a grant to install a marine sewage pump-out station. The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) administers grants to marinas using both federal and state funds. The grants are reimbursable and typically cover 100 percent of the costs.

 

Grants are available to install a new, replacement, or upgraded pump-out. Marinas can also use grant funds to purchase portable pumpouts which can often improve service.

 

Some basic pump-out facts:

  1. State law requires that marinas with 50 or more slips (berthing boats >22 feet) have a pump-out.   (Environment Article 9-333)
  2. Boats with an installed toilet must have an approved waste disposal method. Most are equipped with holding tanks, and a smaller percentage have "treat and release" systems.
  3. By accepting grant funding, a marina agrees to charge no more than $5 per pumpout and to serve the general boating public during reasonable business hours. (The $5 limit also applies to portable pump-outs. )

A complete grant application (including a sample proposal and list of equipment vendors) is available on the DNR website.