Shipbuilding and Ship Repair Home Table of contents
Prepared August 2001 by John Sheridan, NCMS, (734) 995-4963, johns@ncms.org
The
Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection (CT-DEP) is developing a
Clean Marina Program, which will be a voluntary, incentive-based, education and
outreach campaign to encourage environmental compliance and the use of best
management practices at the state’s 350 coastal and inland boating facilities.
The program will also include an outreach campaign to educate the
state’s boaters about environmentally sensitive boating practices.
CT-DEP is developing the program to address the potential threats to
water quality from both inland and coastal marinas, particularly in the form of
nonpoint source pollution. Furthermore,
improving stormwater management from hull maintenance areas at marinas is
identified as a condition of full approval of Connecticut’s Coastal Nonpoint
Source Pollution Program under Section 6217(g) of the 1990 Coastal Zone Act
Reauthorization Amendments. CT-DEP’s Office of Long Island Sound Programs and
Boating Division are jointly developing the program. Funding for the first year is being provided through a FY01
Section 319 grant from EPA.
Using
the expertise of a 20-member steering committee, comprised of a representative
group from the recreational boating industry in the state, CT-DEP will produce a
Clean Marina Guidebook; a comprehensive, user-friendly resource for marina
operators that will provide useful solutions to potential pollution problems.
The steering committee has determined that the guidebook will be an
activity-based document that will outline the potential environmental impacts,
legal requirements and best management practices associated with conducting
common marina operations. The
steering committee will also help CT-DEP develop a list of criteria necessary
for a facility to be certified as a Clean Marina. The potential benefits of
being a certified marina include: 1) improved public image and increased
marketability; 2) reduced costs through better waste
management; 3) recognition as an environmental leader; 4) attracting more
environmentally responsible customers; 5) providing a safer work environment for
employees; and 6) ensuring compliance with environmental laws and regulations.
Additionally, CT-DEP plans to host workshops on pollution
prevention and environmental compliance as well as provide small grants to
facilities to conduct demonstration projects for best management practices at
boating facilities (if funded).
The
first steering committee meeting was held on April 30th.
We are currently designing and developing the new Clean Marina Guidebook.
The document will be completed by December 2001, workshops will begin for
marina operators in January 2002 and certification will commence in the fall of
2002.
Our goal is to certify 20% (70) of Connecticut’s marinas within the first three years of implementation. Other indicators will be the numbers of facility operators who inquire about the program and attend workshops and meetings, in addition to the amount of outreach material distributed.
The
unique partnership between the CT-DEP, the recreational boating industry and the
boating public is key to implementation of the program.
By utilizing constant input from the steering committee, we can address
the expressed environmental compliance needs of the target audience, promote
stewardship among the marina community, strengthen the relationship between
CT-DEP and this important maritime business sector, and improve water quality.
California Clean Boating Network:
Miriam Gordon, California Coastal Commission, 415-904-5214
Jan Delaney, Florida DEP Program Manager, 850-488-5757, Ext. 0178
Maine: Friends of Casco Bay and Maine Marine Trade Association are partnering to develop a pilot Clean Marina Program
Friends of Casco Bay, phone: 207-799-8574
Maine Marine Trade Association
Sue Swanton, 207-773-8725