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Maryland Clean Marinas Under Way
Spring, 2015
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After a long, harsh winter marinas and boatyards are now springing to life in a hurry. In this issue I hope you enjoy reading about:
- Compliance with General Permit for Discharges from Marinas
- Free Day Fishing Programs for Youth
- Controlling the Spread of Zebra Mussels
- Pumpout O&M Grant Applications
- Oil-Control Product Review,
- National Marina Day, and more.
Please visit the Clean Marina webpage or contact me if you have questions. And remember, this could be the year your facility becomes a Clean Marina!
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Wash Water Discharge:
Meet Metals Limits or Stop Discharging
March 1, 2015 was a very important date for facilities that pressure wash boats. As of March 1 facilities must either meet (very low) limits for dissolved metals in the wash water, or they must completely stop discharging it to state waters. The discharge limits for metals, as well as oil and grease and total suspended solids, are detailed on page 15 of the General Permit for Discharges from Marinas, issued by the Maryland Department of the Environment.
Very few facilities have met the discharge limits for dissolved metals. Therefore most boatyards must stop discharging wash water by either: a) installing a wash water recycling system, b) connecting to the sanitary sewer if available, or c) pumping the water to a holding tank for removal by a licensed waste hauler. The Clean Marina Program has educational tip cards for customers to explain changes to them. Request tip cards by contacting [email protected] .
Marinas/boatyards must also notify the Maryland Department of the Environment that they have stopped discharging. Contact Robert Pudmericky at [email protected]
for more information.
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Registration is now being accepted for free 2- to 3-hour fishing programs for youth groups. The program is open to children between the ages of 8 and 15. DNR supplies all equipment and teaching staff; groups choose the site and supply the bait. The programs are offered weekdays during the day. For more information or to schedule a program, email Martha Shaum or call 410-260-8721.
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Help Stop the Spread of Zebra Mussels
Two decades after being introduced into North America, zebra mussels have arrived in Maryland. In the coming years, recreational boaters, commercial fishermen, and marinas will likely find they must spend more time cleaning their outboards, hulls, trailers, mooring buoys and anchors, or any hard surface in infested waters for more than a few days.
Zebra mussels were first identified in Maryland near the Conowingo Dam in 2008. In the fall of 2014, annual inspections of buoys and anchors located throughout the lower Susquehanna River and upper Chesapeake Bay found a drastic increase in their numbers.
The unintentional spread of zebra mussels from one waterbody to another is primarily via recreational boating, but the spread of zebra mussels to other Maryland waters can be slowed or even stopped. DNR is asking citizens to help prevent the spread of this notorious non-native species by following several simple guidelines listed on the "Stop Aquatic Hitchhikers" signs posted at boat ramps and marinas in zebra mussel-infested areas. See the Steps to Prevent the Spread Here Learn more about invasive species in Maryland Here
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To request any of the items mentioned above, please send an email indicating the quantity requested and your mailing address to: [email protected]
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Spring Tip: Bay Wise Landscaping and Native Plants
Healthy soil and vegetation capture, treat, and slowly release stormwater. The water is cleaned through a combination of microbial action in the soil, vegetative uptake, evaporation, and transpiration. Refer to Appendix III of the Maryland Clean Marina Guidebook for information about the "Bay Scapes" program and to find sources for native plants. Plant vegetated buffers between your upland property and the water's edge. Position downspouts so that they drain to vegetated areas; avoid draining to pavement. Rain barrels are another way to collect stormwater, allowing it to cool rather than sheet across hot parking lots and shock adjacent waterways. The stored water is used for plants and garden areas. Learn more about all these ways to reduce polluted runoff by visiting the Chesapeake Bay Program's website: http://www.chesapeakebay.net/takeaction/howtotips
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W e all know accidents can happen, but when the accident involves oil or fuel near the water's edge, the consequences can be serious.
For years there have been a range of products on the market for boaters and marinas to address or prevent spills. These products range from simple absorbent pads to sprays, powders and bio-remediation products.
The Boat U.S. Foundation wanted to take a closer look at these products, how effective they are, and whether or not they are legal to use in the bilge or on an open water spill. For these tests they sent one set of products to Duke University Marine Lab for testing effectiveness and toxicity and they kept another set for the Foundation's hands-on tests of ease-of-use. Read more and see results at http://www.boatus.org/findings/53/
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"Welcome to the Water on National Marina Day" is a nationwide boating event dedicated to grow boating participation across North America. Marine businesses collaborate to hold events to introduce the public to boating through on-water and land-side activities at marinas in every corner of the country.
On National Marina Day, marinas across the United States are asked to open their doors to the public to show off the boating lifestyle and encourage non-boaters to get out on the water. The type of event that each marina holds is unique, but has the purpose of celebrating boating as a fun-filled, affordable activity than anyone can enjoy. Marinas can get ideas on hosting an event, and register free at http://www.nationalmarinaday.org/
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Enjoying Maryland's great outdoors has never been easier with the Department of Natural Resources' new mobile app! The Access DNR application provides the State's hunters, anglers, boaters, park-goers ─ anyone seeking outside adventure ─ all of the latest in nature-related recreation, information and news right at their fingertips. Read More...
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