Maryland Clean Marinas Underway

Autumn, 2013

Is summer over already? Perhaps, but there is a lot of good boating left in Maryland. And, the U.S. Boat Shows are coming to Annapolis in less than a month. The Clean Marina Program will have an exhibit educating boaters about their role in protecting our waterways, and promoting the certified Clean Marinas. If you go to the show, please stop by our booth to pick up free handouts or just say hi.

As always, let me know if I can help you find an environmentally safe solution to problems or questions you come across. Email: dmorrow@dnr.state.md.us or phone 410-260-8773.

The Clean Marina website:

www.dnr.maryland.gov/boating/cleanmarina

Fair winds,

~~~_/) Donna Morrow

Clean Marina Program Administrator

TWO New Clean Marinas!

The Baltimore Boating Center in Essex (BA County) and the Hyatt River Marsh Marina in Cambridge (DO County, pictured here) are the newest Maryland Clean Marinas certified by the Department of Natural Resources (DNR).

Both facilities took new steps to educate their customers, recycle as much as possible, and have ample fuel spill containment products on hand. "It's amazing to see how two totally different places--a working boatyard and a resort hotel and marina--can both fit into the Clean Marina Program," said Program Manger Donna Morrow. "We are glad to work all types of facilities, large or small," she added.

These are the 151st and 152nd certified Maryland Clean Marinas. Each of the 152 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 properties. 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.

Maryland Clean Marina of the Year Contest Returns!

John Hiser (center) accepts the Clean Marina of the Year Award for Small Marina 2012.

Nominations are now being accepted for the 2013 Maryland Clean Marinas of the Year. Nominations will be accepted in four categories to allow variety in our winners.

Large Marina (200+ slips)
Small Marina (fewer than 200 slips)
Large Boatyard (Boatyard with 200+ slips)
Small Boatyard (Boatyard with fewer than 200 slips)

Nomination Deadline: January 3, 2014. PRIZE donations are also being accepted. To nominate a marina for the Award, send a written nomination (no more than 500 words) and any appropriate picutres (maximum file size 1MB) to dmorrow@dnr.state.md.us by January 3, 2014. To donate a prize, please send an email to dmorrow@dnr.state.md.us or call 410-260-8773.

Complete Contest information is availabe at on the Clean Marina webpage.

Pressure Wash Water Rules

KNOW YOUR PERMIT: Print a hard copy from the MD Department of the Environment's website, and read it to learn all you need to know.

COLLECT AND TEST: Boat bottom washing must take place over some type of containment (portable mat, permanent pad) and be filtered. IF the marina discharges the water ground or surface waters of the state, samples must be collected and tested by a lab twice between September and December. READ PAGE 15 OF THE PERMIT.

MEET LIMITS TO DISCHARGE THE WATER: Limits on Total Suspended Solids (50 PPM) and Oil and Grease (15 mg/l) took effect March 1, 2013. Amounts in wash water must be below these limits to be discharge to ground or surface waters.

REPORT: Transfer the lab testing results to a "Discharge Monitoring Form" , provided by the MD Department of the Environment. READ PAGE 24 OF THE PERMIT for instructions on where to file the "DMR."

LOOKING AHEAD: Boatyards and marinas should prepare to cease discharging the water from washing boat bottoms by February 2015. New limits for the amount of copper, zinc, and lead allowed in the discharge take effect March 1, 2015. See PAGE 15 of the Permit.

NOTIFY: Immediately notify the MD Department of the Environment when a facility ends its discharge of boat washing waste water. At that point, testing and DMRs are no longer required! Contact Ed Gertler at 410-537-3651 for more information.

UNDERSTAND THE PENALTIES: Penalties for not complying with the Permit, which is regulated by the Federal Clean Water Act, start at $2,500 per violation, per day and go up to $1,000,000 and jail time.

To learn about the Permit, and for help with all aspects of complying with the new rules, visit the Clean Marina Program webpage.

Storm Water sampling

Storm Water Sampling Reminder

Marinas that have the General Permit for Discharges from Marinas are reminded to collect quarterly storm water samples. Storm Water samples must 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 website.

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.

Clean Marina Tips for Autumn

1) Plan Now to Recycle Shrink Wrap Next Spring

Marinas that provide shrink wrapping should prepare now for the inevitable load of used wrap to come in the spring. If the cost to recycle the wrap is prohibitive, marinas should consider a small fee ($3-5) per customer, charged at the time shrink wrap is installed. The fee can be used for the cost of a dumpster and recycling the wrap. This is similar to tire recycling fees charged at automotive shops so customers are accustomed to it.

2) Use Fuel Stabilizers

Marinas and boaters should use a fuel stabilizer when preparing boats for winter. It is a simple step that can prevent the expensive disposal of bad fuel in the spring.

3) Recycle

Marine batteries, used oil, and antifreeze can all be recycled. Collect these items and store indoors if possible. If they must be kept outdoors, cover them and keep absorbents nearby to prevent contamination of storm water. Always lable barrels and/or drums to prevent contamination with hazardous waste.

Boat US Foundation is Making Waterway Clean Ups Easier

Clean waterways are essential to safe and fun boating. Each year around the country hundreds of thousands of volunteers participate in waterway and beach cleanups to help improve their local community. Thanks to the BoatUS Foundation, conducting your own cleanup event or participating in an event near you is now easier!

The Foundation's new Guide to Waterway Cleanups is written for boaters, marinas and towing companies to cover everything you should do before, during and after your cleanup event. The guide also provides tips on working with the Ocean Conservancy's International Coastal Cleanup (ICC).

Click here to learn more about participating in an event or to download the Guide to Waterway Cleanups .

Outreach and Education of Customers

The Clean Marina Program urges marinas and boatyards to teach their customers and visitors about clean boating practices through every outlet possible. For example:

In the marina newsletter, include (or link to) the Clean Boating Tip Sheets found on the Clean Marina website.
Have a "how to" workshop on a topic of interest and highlight the environmentally safe products in your ship's store.
Have a customer appreciation day and give out free oil-sorbent pads and Clean Boating Tip cards, provided free from the Clean Marina Program on request.
Include Clean Boating Tip Cards in your annual slip renewal mailing.
Have clear rules about pollution prevention in your slip or ground storage agreements. Sample language is available in the Clean Marina Guidebook. Be creative!

To request any of the items mentioned above please send an email indicating the quantity requested, and your mailing address, to: dmorrow@dnr.state.md.us