April 1996

INTRODUCTION

Nonpoint source (NPS) pollution is a significant contributor to California's overall water pollution problem and must be reduced in order to protect and restore California's water quality. Like many land and water uses, marinas and recreational boaters contribute to the NPS pollution problem. Regardless of the overall percentage of pollutants generated, it is important that all contributors take responsibility for their contribution.

In response to the 1990 Coastal Zone Act Reauthorization Amendments (CZARA), Section 6217 (protecting coastal waters), the State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) reviewed its NPS Pollution Management Program. The intent of this review was to assess California's NPS pollution management strategies and propose improvements to reduce NPS pollution. The review was conducted by several Technical Advisory Committees (TACs), with each committee consisting of stakeholders who are knowledgeable in the applicable NPS area and/or have an interest in the program's outcome. A key focus of the TACs was developing strategies that are acceptable to all the involved stakeholders.

The Marina and Recreational Boating TAC made several recommendations aimed at reducing NPS pollution contributed by marinas and recreational boaters, including improving public education. Education is a key method in managing NPS pollution, because it addresses individual actions, the source of and solution to the problem. Education also helps boaters and marina managers implement the voluntary/cooperative approach to NPS pollution control, and forestall the need for regulatory action. As a result of the TAC's recommendations and to assist boaters and marina managers, a number of pollution educators including agency, industry and environmental representatives, came together to create the California Clean Boating Network (CCBN). Staff support for the network is provided by a network facilitator, who serves on a rotating basis.

PURPOSE OF THE CALIFORNIA CLEAN BOATING NETWORK

The purpose of the California Clean Boating Network is to improve communication and coordination between marina and boating pollution educators in California. Examples of CCBN activities to support this purpose include, but are not limited to:

• identifying funding sources for marina and boater pollution education projects;
• providing a forum to allow cooperation on funding source proposals;
• assisting in the dissemination of materials;
• providing feedback on draft materials
• providing a forum for feedback on the impact that education is having on the identified audience;
• sharing methodology for the evaluation of materials;
• reviewing existing programs and identifying where additional effort is needed;
• and developing a strategy to implement the additional efforts.

The CCBN has reviewed existing marina and boater pollution education programs, and this Action Plan identifies a strategy to address the identified needs. Elements of this Action Plan include:

• a description of the NPS pollution problem associated with marinas and recreational boating, including its impact on the aquatic environment;
• a summary of the current legal framework for marina and boater water quality management; and,
• the identification of areas for improvement in marina and boater pollution education, and actions to address those identified needs.

IMPACTS OF MARINA AND BOATER NPS POLLUTION

There are a number of pollutants generated by recreational boaters. The sources and characteristics of these pollutants vary widely, as do their effects. Details of this information are included in the University of California Sea Grant Extension Program's guide to economic and environmental benefits of preventing boating pollution, Boating Pollution Economics & Impacts.

LEGAL FRAMEWORK FOR MARINA AND BOATER WATER QUALITY MANAGEMENT

Several agencies are involved in California's water quality management efforts. The Regional Water Quality Control Board's (RWQCB), the Department of Fish & Game (DFG), the Office of Oil Spill Prevention and Response (OSPR), the United States Coast Guard (USCG) the Department of Toxic Substance Control (DTSC) and the Department of Health Services (DHS) all play an important role in regulating both the amount and type of wastes that enter California's waterways. (Figure 1, pg. 3). The major goal of these agencies is to prevent NPS pollution before it happens. Agency jurisdiction overlaps in many cases, and for a more complete description of agency authorities, the reader is referred to Appendix 2 of this document. 

Figure 1: Agency Jurisdiction

The RWQCBs are the primary state agencies with water quality authority, which ranges from water quality planning to issuing permits for discharges of pollutants to state waters. Most RWQCBs utilize voluntary/cooperative management efforts for marina and boater NPS pollution control, although boatyards are regulated under a permit system. The DFG also has broad water quality authority, and is the agency most likely to be on-site at a marina. Their focus is on preventing pollution that harms fish and wildlife resources, especially discharges of oil and petroleum products. The OSPR, within the DFG, is charged with oil spill prevention and response. The USCG implements federal laws related to garbage and sewage disposal. The DHS also regulates the discharge of sewage, other waste, or effluent, while the DTSC regulates the disposal of all hazardous materials.

ACTIONS TO IMPROVE MARINA AND BOATER POLLUTION EDUCATION

Following are proposals by the California Clean Boating Network to improve marina and boater pollution education. The proposals are structured as solutions to identified problems. Specific actions and responsible parties to implement the solutions are included.

Catalog of Marina and Boater Pollution Education Materials

Problem: Educators need ready access to previously-produced materials for marina and boater pollution education, and marina managers need one-stop shopping for education materials.

Solution: The CCBN facilitator should gather and catalog existing marina and recreational boater pollution education products. The catalog is intended to provide information on the contents and availability of educational materials that have already been produced. Educators can use the catalog to minimize duplication and access already-produced materials. Marina managers can utilize the catalog as an easy way to obtain educational materials, when implementing the voluntary/cooperative approach to reducing marina and boater NPS pollution.

• The CCBN facilitator will collect education products;
• The California Coastal Commission library will maintain the education products;
• The California Coastal Commission will seek funding to distribute the catalog in hard copy, and as a database on an electronic Bulletin Board System and the Internet; and,
• The CCBN facilitator will update the catalog as needed.

Pollution Solutions Binder

Problem: Many useful marina and boater pollution education products are distributed only in a limited geographic area, and do not take advantage of product recipients to assist in dissemination. Marina managers need one-stop shopping for education materials.

Solution: A Best of the Best binder will be developed and contain actual copies of already-produced marina and recreational boater pollution education products. The materials will be provided in a loose leaf, three-hole punch format including pages that can be easily customized to indicate where local services such as pumpouts or hazardous waste disposal sites can be found. The materials will be provided in a format that can be reproduced for further distribution. (e.g. through billings, regattas, etc.) Dissemination will first target those areas that have received less focus from marina and boater pollution educators.

• The CCBN will identify criteria for marina and recreational boater pollution education products gathered for the catalog, and propose exemplary products that address each pollutant or activity associated with marina and recreational boating pollution;
• the CCBN will identify a list of target recipients and dissemination vehicles; and,
• the California Coastal Commission will seek funding for wide distribution of the binder.

Cost Comparative Analysis of Alternative/Existing Products and Technologies

Problem: Marina managers and boaters need information on the costs and impacts of alternative and existing products and technologies, in order to make informed decisions about their use.

Solution: A cost comparative analysis of alternative/existing products and technologies from each applicable pollutant category should be done and information made available to boaters and marina managers. This analysis should include a scientific study of the effects that a specific product may have on the environment. The results of these analyses should allow individuals to make informed decisions in regard to which products are affordable, effective, and cause the least environmental harm.

• UC Sea Grant Cooperative Extension will prepare a summary of the impacts of nonpoint source pollution from marinas and boaters. This process will begin the inquiry into existing products and technologies.
• The CCBN will forward a request to Practical Sailor magazine to conduct comparative analyses on the quality of specific alternative/existing products; and,
• The CCBN will forward a request to the Consumer Product Safety Commission and the Scientific Certification System (Green Cross) to evaluate the environmental impacts of specific alternative/existing products.
• The Nautilus Institute will begin developing a process that will enable boaters to determine which maintenance practices are most affordable and environmentally sound (determine the least cost, maximum impact way to improve their vessel's environmental performance).
• The analysis process will include industry representatives (e.g. NMMA, insurance co.'s, paint manufacturer's, etc.)

Hazardous Waste Disposal Information

Problem: Many boaters do not know the legal requirements for the disposal of the hazardous wastes generated by boat operation and maintenance, and have difficulty locating disposal sites.

Solution: A description of hazardous waste disposal for boaters should be developed, including the definition of hazardous waste, disposal options and requirements, and legal penalties associated with improper disposal. This information should be provided on a local or regional scale that can be used by the individual boater.

• CCBN members will identify disposal sites for problem hazardous wastes such as contaminated bilge water, old gas/2-cycle gas, CFC's and oil absorbent pads.
• CCBN members will provide a description of the types of hazardous wastes generated by boaters and marinas, the legal requirements for disposal, and penalties for improper disposal; and,
• The CCBN will include this material in its Best of the Best binder.
• Local agencies will be contacted to promote the expansion of zinc recycling programs that are accessible to both boat owners and service providers (lead agency to be determined).

Expanding Target Audiences for Boat Maintenance Education

Problem: Education about boat maintenance has been focused on recreational boaters. Other target audiences, who are equally important in reducing marina and boater NPS pollution, are presently not a focus of education efforts.

Solution: Education about boat maintenance should be expanded to include groups that are not addressed by current efforts.

• Boat maintenance education materials will be distributed from the Best of the Best binder to small commercial fishing vessels, commercial passenger fishing vessels (CPFV), boat supply shops, boat yards and product manufacturers and distributors. Information may be distributed at point of purchase (lead agency to be determined).
• The CCBN will create guidelines/Best Management Practice's (BMP's) for environmental boat maintenance.
• The CCBN facilitator will contact factory marine engine training course sponsors, to encourage incorporation of the BMP's.
• CCBN members will include the BMP's in their publications, and will contact fishing groups regarding inclusion of the BMP's in their newsletters.

Improved Dissemination

Problem: Marina and boater pollution education is being conducted by a variety of groups on a short-term basis for a limited area.

Solution: Each action in this plan should reach for the widest and most networked dissemination possible. Groups conducting education projects should demonstrate to funding agencies that funding for dissemination is vital in implementing boater pollution education.

• CCBN members will include extensive dissemination in their project proposals.
• Implementation of each action in this plan will include extensive dissemination.

Clean Boating Awards

Problem: Current education efforts emphasize the negative aspects of maintenance practices used by marinas and recreational boaters. Environmentally conscientious marina operators and boaters are not recognized for their often commendable efforts.

Solution:An award program should be instituted to recognize the efforts that marina operators and boaters are making in trying to conduct their operations with minimum impact on the environment.

• The CCBN will develop the criteria for and organize an award program that will include a clean marina certification for environmentally conscientious marina operators and boaters.
• The CCBN will solicit nominations for marinas meeting the established criteria.
• The CCBN will award a certificate and publicize the award through member newsletters, etc.

Master Boaters

Problem: Most marine pollution education efforts do not take advantage of peer relationships which often provide an effective form of education. Furthermore, government agency budgets for education are very limited and the potential for increases is unlikely.

Solution: Develop a Master Boater program similar to the UC Master Gardener program. The goal is to train a number of marina managers and boaters about marine pollution prevention practices and encourage these trained individuals to educate other interested parties.

• The CCBN will develop a curriculum for Master Boater volunteers.
• The USCG Auxiliary may conduct training for marina managers and boaters who will, in turn, educate their peers.
• The CCBN facilitator will request that the curriculum be included in the USCG Auxiliary/Power Squadron's 13 week courses.
• The Marin County Office of Waste Management is conducting an outreach program/technical assistance for local agencies that may be a useful model for curriculum development.

Underwater Hull Cleaning

Problem: Not all divers who perform underwater hull cleaning use BMPs during the cleaning procedure.

Solution: Develop a certification program that will enable underwater hull cleaners to become educated about the available BMP's.

• Funding sources will be located to support a certification program organizer/facilitator (lead agency to be determined).

Demonstration Boat Projects

Problem: There are very few examples of Green boats which can be used as demonstration devices for educational purposes. There is a lack of hands-on training in environmental boat operation and maintenance.

Solution: Boats should be outfitted with products and technologies that minimize impacts on the environment, while still providing acceptable performance. Over time, demonstration boats should be instituted in each region/major harbor.

• The Pegasus Project will be the first demonstration boat, located in the Berkeley marina; and,
• The demonstration boats will be displayed at Classic Yacht shows in order to broaden the audience.

 

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