Initiatives | Marinas | Management Measures

Marina Management Measures

The 1993 guidance for the Coastal Nonpoint Program specifies 15 management measures for marinas grouped under two broad categories:

1. Siting and Design

2. Operation and Maintenance

In 2001, EPA updated the original coastal marina management measures into national guidance on the best available, economically achievable means of reducing pollution of surface water runoff from marinas and recreational boating National Management Measures to Control Nonpoint Source Pollution from Marinas and Recreational Boating.

MARINA SITING AND DESIGN

A. Marina Flushing Management Measure

Site and design marinas such as tides and/or currents will aid in flushing of the site or renew its water regularly.

B. Water Quality Assessment Management Measure

Assess water quality as part of marina siting and design.

C. Habitat Assessment Management Measure

Site and design marinas to protect against adverse effects on shellfish resources, wetlands, submerged aquatic vegetation, or other important riparian and aquatic habitat areas as designated by local, state, or federal governments.

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D. Shoreline Stabilization Management Measure

Where shoreline erosion is a nonpoint source pollution problem, shorelines should be stabilized. Vegetative methods are strongly preferred unless structural methods are more cost effective, considering the severity of wave and wind erosion, offshore bathymetry, and the potential adverse impact on other shorelines and offshore areas.

E. Storm Water Runoff Management Measure

Implement effective runoff control strategies which include the use of pollution prevention activities and the proper design of hull maintenance areas. Reduce the average annual loadings of total suspended solids (TSS) in runoff from hull maintenance areas by 80 percent. For the purposes of this measure, an 80 percent reduction of TSS is to be determined on an average annual basis.

F. Fueling Station Design Management Measure

Design fueling stations to allow for ease of spill cleanup.

G. Sewage Facility Management Measure

Install pumpout, dump station, and restroom facilities where needed at new and expanding marinas to reduce the release of sewage to surface waters. Design these facilities to allow ease of access and post signage to promote use by the boating public.

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MARINA AND BOAT OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE

A. Solid Waste Management Measure

Properly dispose of solid wastes produced by the operation, cleaning, maintenance, and repair of boats to limit entry of solid wastes to surface waters.

B. Fish Waste Management Measure

Promote sound fish waste management through a combination of fish-cleaning restrictions, public education, and proper disposal of fish waste.

C. Liquid Material Management Measure

Provide and maintain appropriate storage, transfer, containment, and disposal facilities for liquid material, such as oil, harmful solvents, antifreeze, and paints, and encourage recycling of these materials.

D. Petroleum Control Management Measure

Reduce the amount of fuel and oil from boat bilges and fuel tank air vents entering marina and surface waters.

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E. Boat Cleaning Management Measure

For boats that are in the water, perform cleaning operations to minimize, to the extent practicable, the release to surface waters of (a) harmful cleaners and solvents and (b) paint from in-water hull cleaning.

F. Public Education Management Measure

Public education/outreach/training programs should be instituted for boaters, as well as marina owners and operators, to prevent improper disposal of polluting material.

G. Maintenance of Sewage Facilities Management Measure

Ensure that sewage pumpout facilities are maintained in operational condition and encourage their use.

H. Boat Operation Management Measure (applies to boating only)

Restrict boating activities where necessary to decrease turbidity and physical destruction of shallow-water habitat.

For more information, contact cleanmarinas@noaa.gov.

 

 

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