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Maryland Clean Marinas Underway 
Summer, 2013

Greetings!   

 

With some rough weather and a chilly spring behind us, let's hope that Mother Nature gives us a nice summer.  I hope to see lots of boaters out enjoying our waterways and marinas very soon. 

 

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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Two New Clean Marinas!

 

DNR is proud to announce that The Crescent Marina in Baltimore and Choptank Marina in Preston are newly certified Maryland Clean Marinas.   

 

At The Crescent, Dockmaster Pat Stansbury followed through on recommendations from DNR quickly. Within a few weeks, she had the marina ready for a certification visit. Read More here... 

 

Choptank Marina is owned and operated by Caroline County Recreation and Parks Department.  Manager Mark Lasocha was responsible for meeting the Clean Marina Award criteria.  By resuming regular outreach to users and slip holders and repairing the pumpout system, Mr. Lasocha was able to have Choptank Marina certified as a Maryland Clean Marina. 

 

There are a total of 150 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 150 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.
 

New Brochure for Boatyard Customershaul out  

 

A new brochure called Boat Washing Facts for Boatyard Users will be helpful to any marina or boatyard with the General Discharge Permit 10-MA. The brochure was designed to explain the impacts of new requirements to customers and contractors who use boatyards to haul, wash, paint and/or repair boats.

 

The boat washing brochure was the idea of John Polek at Sunset Harbor Marina in Baltimore County. Mr. Polek, DNR, and others worked together to produce a double sided card that will fit into a standard business envelope or brochure rack.  To date, over 2,000 brochures have been distributed and many more are available. To request a supply, contact Donna Morrow at [email protected]

Storm Water samplingStorm Water Sampling Reminder  

 

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

 

Use the Quarterly Visual Monitoring Form and directions available on Maryland Department of the Environment's websiteKeep completed monitoring forms on site where they can easily be found in case of an inspection by the MD Dept. of the Environment!  (Water samples do not need to be kept.) 

 

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.   

 

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. 

man fueling properly    
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 sink the fuel to the bottom where it remains. Use oil-sorbent pads to clean drips or spills instead.
  • 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

tip cards 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 by clicking here.  Be safe and smart with fuel around the water!

  
DNR Receives Federal Award for Pumpout Projects

 

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources is pleased to have been awarded continuing funding from the US Fish and Wildlife Service for its very successful pumpout grant program. The FY 13 Award is for just over $757,000 and includes funding for new and replacement pumpouts at marinas, operations and maintenance grants for marinas, and operation and maintenance of two pumpout boats (West/Rhode River Keeper and Annapolis Harbormaster).

 

Read more about Maryland's Pumpout Grant Program here.

 

Read more about the source of Federal Funding and the Clean Vessel Act here.

Safe Boating 
DNR Sponsors Water Safety Video Contest

 

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR), the Natural Resources Police (NRP), West Marine and BoatUS partnered together for the first annual "What is Water Safety" video contest.

 

DNR is looking for a three-minute video explaining "what is water safety?" DNR and a panel of judges will chose the best video. Creativity is key and it must be family-friendly. The contest kicks off this weekend and runs until August. 

 

Click here to learn more and good luck!