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Maryland Clean Boating Lesson Plan. Section 2 VESSEL SEWAGE. Vessel Sewage: Environmental Concerns . Harmful to human health Diseases may be passed to swimmers or to people who eat contaminated shellfish Harmful to water quality Excess nutrients cause algal blooms
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Maryland Clean Boating Lesson Plan Section 2 VESSEL SEWAGE www.dnr.maryland.gov/boating
Vessel Sewage: Environmental Concerns • Harmful to human health • Diseases may be passed to swimmers or to people who eat contaminated shellfish • Harmful to water quality • Excess nutrients cause algal blooms • Bacteria that decompose algae reduce dissolved oxygen www.dnr.maryland.gov/boating
Vessel Sewage: Legal Basics • Discharging raw sewage is against State and Federal laws • All vessels with installed toilets must have a Marine Sanitation Device (MSD), There are 3 types of MSDs. • Types I and II treat and release the waste. • Type III is a holding tank. • Portable toilets: Use a pumpout station to empty www.dnr.maryland.gov/boating
Sewage: Marine Sanitation Devices Type I and II MSDs • Establish a regular maintenance schedule • Do not discharge in a marina, swimming area, over an oyster bar or in a poorly flushed area • Do not discharge in federally designated “No Discharge Zones” Holding Tanks (Type III) • Use enzyme-based products to control odor • Avoid quaternary ammonium compounds (QAC) and formaldehyde www.dnr.maryland.gov/boating
Vessel SewageNo Discharge Zones • 2 NDZs in Maryland: Herring Bay and the Northern Coastal Bays. • EPA designates No Discharge Zones (NDZ) upon application by the State. • In a NDZ boaters may not use Type I or II MSDs (that treat and release waste). • Must use holding tanks and pump-out. www.dnr.maryland.gov/boating
Vessel SewageResources • For more information visit DNR’s website www.dnr.maryland.gov/boating/pumpout • www.boatus.com/foundation • Know the laws and how they apply to you. www.dnr.maryland.gov/boating