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Maryland Clean Marinas Underway 
December, 2011 
Greetings!
I hope you like the new look of the Newsletter and will find this issue helpful and informative.  Please consider attending a Clean Marina Workshop this winter. Whether you already have a Clean Marina, or have always thought about getting certified, the workshops will have resources for all marine facilities.  Details are below and more will follow by direct mail to marinas in our database.  We hope to see you there.

~~~_/)   Donna Morrow
Clean Marina Program Administrator
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Ches Bay 
 
2012 Clean Marina Workshops Recommended for All Marine Facilities
 

workshopThe Clean Marina Program is hosting three workshops for marina and boatyard operators in January 2012. Presentations will discuss complying with changing regulations and the new General Discharge Permit, becoming a certified Clean Marina, and successfully applying for pumpout grants. Vendors of industrial wash water treatment systems will be on hand to share product information. All marine facilities, including certified Clean Marinas, are encouraged to send staff.

 

Workshops Dates and Locations: 

  • January 11:  Marshy Pt. Nature Center, Baltimore County
  • January 24:  Hyatt River Marsh Hotel, Cambridge
  • January 26:  Annapolis Recreation Center, Annapolis

Free copies of the Maryland Clean Marina Guidebook, award checklists, pumpout grant applications, and educational materials for boaters and staff will be provided at the workshops. The Guidebook addresses areas of marina operations such as vessel maintenance, fuel handling, sewage handling, and storm water management. Clean Marinas undergo a site visit by a peer and program staff to verify Award criteria. They are re-certified every three years.

 

Invitations will be mailed in December and registration is requested. Vendors of industrial wash water systems interested in attending, are asked to contact the Clean Marina office in advance at [email protected] 

 
Tier II Reporting Reminder for Marinas with Fuel  Rule Book

Marinas with the capacity to store over 10,000 pounds of a hazardous material--which is about 1,250 gallons of fuel--are required by an EPA rule to report their fuel storage to emergency responders by March 1 each year. Marinas should mark their calendars and file in January or February.  There is no cost to file for marinas, but steep fines can result from not filing when required to do so. 

  

Reporting is done on-line to the State of Maryland and, in some counties, a paper form is also submitted to the Local Emergency Planning Commission and local Fire Department (if they are not one in the same).  Marinas in the following jurisdictions do NOT need to mail the paper forms (on-line reporting is sufficient):

 

 Allegany County Frederick County
 Anne Arundel County Harford County
 Baltimore City Howard County
 Baltimore County Montgomery County
 Carroll County Queen Anne's County

To learn more and to access the on-line reporting system, visit the Maryland Department of the Environment's website. 
 
Last Call! 2011 Clean Marina of the Year Contest winter boatyard
 

All certified Maryland Clean Marinas are eligible for the first "Clean Marina of the Year" contest. Nominations will be accepted until 5pm December 31, 2011 and should be sent to [email protected] .

 

Generously Donated Prizes include: 

  • Choice of a SaniSailor Hose Reel OR a $1400 gift certificate from EMP Industries/Elias Environmental (good towards any SaniSailor or AquaClean product),
  • A bio-remediating spill response kit donated by MESCO (valued at $400), and
  • A variety pack of biodegradable boat cleaners donated by West Marine.  

Customers, staff, and even marina owners can nominate their favorite Maryland Clean Marina. Decisions will be announced in January.   Complete contest information is available on the Clean Marina webpage.

New Training Requirements for Underground Storage Tanks

   

USTsNew requirements are coming into effect for operators of underground storage tanks. As required by the Code of Maryland Regulations (COMAR) 26.10.16.05 owners of underground storage tank facilities are to designate a person or persons to serve as Class A, B, and C operator(s) for each facility by August 8, 2012. This requirement applies to facilities that store motor fuel, used oil, and hazardous substances in UST systems.

 

Class A and B operators will be required to undergo formal training by a third party. Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) maintains a list of companies that have been reviewed and determined to meet the minimum qualifications as required in COMAR 26.10.16. A certified Class A or B operator for a regulated substance storage facility may train and certify a Class C operator without approval by MDE by meeting the requirements outlined in the regulations. A list of companies certified to provide training and more information on this rule can be found on  MDE's website

 

Class A operators will be trained and tested on several topics including spill prevention and reporting, record keeping requirements, and financial responsibility. Class B certification involves training and testing on topics such as performance of UST equipment system tests, emergency response and reporting procedures, and records completion and retention. Class C operators must be trained to properly monitor dispensing of fuel (or regulated substance), emergency response, and responding to alarms caused by spills or releases from a UST.     

 

For more information, contact Melissa Rockey at [email protected] or 410-537-3938.

 
Pumpout Operations & Maintenance Invoices
 
Marinas participating in the pumpout Operations and Maintenance (O&M) grant program are pumpoutreminded that they must submit their invoices to DNR by January 15, 2012. The O&M grant program helps marinas "break even" on their costs to operate and maintain a pumpout. The program can provide up to $1,250 to participating marinas to cover costs such as septic hauling, replacement parts, or repairs.

 

Invoice forms were provided with application packets in the spring but, if another is needed, please contact: [email protected] .  To expedite the reimbursement process, marinas must include proper documentation, including proof of payments when they submit invoices.

 

Marinas must have an approved 2011 grant application on file to be eligible for reimbursement. Application packets are mailed to marinas each spring. The O&M grant program is funded by the US Fish and Wildlife Service and the Maryland Waterway Improvement Fund.  For more information,  call the Clean Vessel Act grant coordinator, Ms. Christie Fuentes at 410-260-8772.