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Maryland Clean Marinas Underway 
Summer, 2012 

Greetings!   

 

 

Welcome to summer!  By now Maryland's boating seaon is nearly in full swing.   

 

I encourage you to use the Clean Marina website as a resource for educating boaters, training staff, and keeping "clean" throughout the season.  As always, let me know if we can help.    [email protected]  www.dnr.maryland.gov/boating/cleanmarina

~~~_/)   Donna Morrow
Clean Marina Program Administrator
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Four New Clean Marinas!

 

DNR welcomes Burr Yacht Sales (Edgewater), W&P Nautical (Annapolis), Marine Max Gunpowder Cove (Joppa), and Blackstone Marina (Hollywood) to the prestigious group of Maryland Clean Marinas!

 

Pictured from Burr Yacht Sales are Jon Bullock (left) and Raymond Curry (right) aboard one of the Fleming yachts they sell and service.

 

Pictured from W&P Nautical is Cardie Templeton, whose family has owned this large maritime property in the Eastport section of Annapolis for over 30 years.

 

Pictured (below) from Blackstone Marina is Manager Lois Canter and Owner Les Gould. Mr. Gould has operated this quiet, country marina since 1964.

 

 

 

Pictured (below) from Marine Max is Manager Jennifer Keller, who oversees the marina operations for this large marine retailer.

 Keller Marine Max

There are a total of 148 certified facilities in Maryland, including 25 smaller Clean Marina partners. DNR oversees the Clean Marina Initiative, a voluntary program that promotes and celebrates efforts of marinas, boatyards and yacht clubs to reduce their pollution.

 

Each of the 148 certified facilities has adopted a significant portion of recommendations in the Maryland Clean Marina Guidebook and passed a rigorous site inspection. Certifications are good for three years, at which time DNR staff re-inspects the marinas. Marinas and boatyards of any size can participate.  More information and free program materials are available by calling 410-260-8773 or visiting dnr.maryland.gov/boating/cleanmarina.

 

Fact vs. Fiction on Pressure Wash Discharge   

bottom cleaning

 

Fact:  Boat repair facilities that have the General Permit for Discharges from Marinas 10-MA are required to collect their pressure wash water starting this September.  Facilities also need to have a laboratory professionally test the water for dissolved metals (copper, zinc, and lead), total suspended solids (TSS) and oil and grease (O&G).

 

Fiction:  As of September 1, 2012 boatyards cannot discharge pressure wash waste water.  

 

Fact:  Marinas will still be allowed to discharge the waste water from pressure washing boat bottoms using existing filtration methods.  Marinas/boatyards currently washing with no containment (i.e., no wash pad, settling tanks) will need to create a containment system to allow sampling.  A temporary, low-cost option is a portable containment mat.  An internet search and the Clean Marina website can provide vendor options After sampling, the water may still be discharged using current filtration methods (e.g., hay bales, filter cloth).

 

Fact:  Discharge limits on Oil & Grease and TSS take effect March 1, 2013.  Discharge limits on dissolved metals take effect March 1, 2015.  The Permit was developed with phased in deadlines to allow marina and boatyard operators time to research the best solutions for their facilities and to prepare for what will likely be a significant change.  Take advantage of this time and do not rush into major equipment purchases. 

 

Boatyard operators are urged to take time to research available options to treat or eliminate waste water discharges.  The MD Clean Marina Program website provides many resources to boatyard operators. 

New Training Requirements for Underground Storage Tanks
   

USTs

New 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.

 

Class A and B operators will be required to undergo formal training by a third party. The 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.

This requirement applies to facilities that store motor fuel, used oil, and hazardous substances in UST systems.

Storm Water samplingStorm Water Sampling Reminder  

 

Marinas that have the General Permit for Discharges from Marinas are reminded to collect quarterly storm water samples.  Storm Water samples should be collected during the first 30 minutes of a rain event, during daylight hours once each calendar quarter. 

 

Collect your sample in a clear jar or other vessel from the outfalls noted on your Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan.  If you don't have direct outfalls, collect a ground sample. Click here for a video showing how to collect a storm water sample from the ground.  Use the Quarterly Visual Monitoring Form and directions available on Maryland Department of the Environment's website

 

Permitted marinas must also document quarterly inspections of their storm water controls (e.g., filter cloth, retention ponds).  During these inspections the marina manager will note any repairs or maintenance needed for storm water controls.  The site inspections should simply be documented in a notebook and kept with all other Permit records. 

Fuel Dock Sign   
Smart and Safe Fuel Dock Operations

 

Petroleum in or on the water is harmful and, in some cases, fatal to aquatic life. Petroleum that floats on the surface is especially noxious because 99 percent of the Chesapeake Bay's blue crab larvae feed in the very top part of the water column. This "micro layer" also serves as a nursery ground for rockfish.  

 

To help protect our waters, fuel dock operators should:

  • Post signs detailing proper fueling procedures.
  • Provide a piece of oil-sorbent pad to each customer; pads can be passed with the nozzle to catch drips.
  • Never use soap to "clean up" a spill; soaps just sink the fuel to the bottom where it remains. Use oil-sorbent pads to clean drips or spills.
  • Require boaters to stay with their vessel during fueling, and slow down at the beginning and end to prevent spills.
  • Offer a container such as a "no spill jug" that attaches to external fuel vents to capture incidental spills.
  • Keep a well supplied fuel spill response kit near the dispensers.
  • Report all spills to the National Spill Response Center at 800-424-8802

To request a free supply of petroleum control kits for your customers, send an email to [email protected]  Supplies are limited.  A free information sheet that can be posted or copied for boaters is available at http://www.dnr.state.md.us/boating/cleanmarina/guidebook/ts4petrolcontrol.pdf  Be safe and smart with fuel around the water!