UPDATE
FOR MARINA OWNERS: Regulatory Changes Regarding Wash Water
The
Regulatory Change
The Bureau
of Nonpoint Pollution Control within the NJDEP has implemented
revisions to the Basic Industrial Stormwater General Permit
that specifically require marina operators to cease discharges
from boat bottom washing operations. A copy of the permit
is available below. A Guidance Document has also been developed
to aid in compliance with the new rules (see link). Marinas
must be in compliance with the new rules, specifically, the
requirement to cease the unlawful discharge of boat bottom
wash water, by June 2009. There is no increase in the permit
fee.
What
this means to Marina Owners
It will
no longer be an acceptable policy for marina owners who currently
haul and pressure wash boats each fall to allow this water
to drain (filtered or unfiltered) back into the surrounding
waterway. Marinas authorized under this permit must eliminate
the discharge of wastewater to the waters of the State of
New Jersey from boat washing activities by either installing
a washwater reclaim system, capturing and hauling the wastewater
for proper disposal, connecting to sanitary sewer (where applicable
and approved by local authorities), ceasing the activity and/or
applying for and obtaining a separate NJPDES permit. Implementation
of certain stormwater related best management practices will
also be recommended as part of marina specific guidance at
each marina facility. These guidance materials are designed
to assist marina owners and operators and help them comply
with these new requirements.
Interagency
Coordination for a smooth transition
Links: Vessel
Wash Wastewater Treatment Systems
DISCLAIMER: This list is provided for informational
purposes only. None of the systems listed are endorsed by
the NJDEP, NOAA, or the NJ Sea Grant Consortium. Any claims
made by the manufacturer have not been tested or certified
by NJDEP, NOAA, or SeaGrant. The list was compiled by the
NJ Sea Grant Consortium and is not necessarily complete. If
you have additional information about the list or have anything
to add to it, please contact Mike Danko at mdanko@njseagrant.org.
An advisory
committee consisting of representatives from the Department,
Marine Trades Association of NJ, NJ Sea Grant Consortium,
and the marina industry met several times to discuss the changes
to the Basic Industrial Stormwater General Permit and how
these changes can be implemented at marinas effectively, efficiently,
and fairly. Concerns about cost, land use permits, health
and other issues were raised and considered.
Through
extensive research, the advisory committee has determined
that installing a closed loop water recirculating/recycling
system will likely prove to be the most cost efficient and
best option for most marina facilities. A number of recycling
systems are presently being tested at marinas throughout the
state to determine the quality of the water before and after
the filtering process, efficiency, cost and durability. However,
marina owners who are interested in pursuing the option of
connecting to a sanitary sewer line should contact their local
utilities authority as that may be a viable option as well.
The Department
is working with the Marine Trade Association and marina owners
to assure a smooth transition and is aware that these changes
will generate concern among marinas. However, these changes
must be implemented in order to ensure compliance with existing
law and to guarantee protection of New Jersey’s coastal
water quality and associated resources. The Department is
investigating potential grants through the I BOAT NJ program
that will fully or partly fund the required upgrades at marinas
to comply with these new requirements. The Department encourages
marina owners to take advantage of the grant opportunity and
is working with I BOAT NJ to produce a streamlined application
and review process.
Questions
regarding these changes can be addressed by calling the NJDEP Coastal Management Office at (609) 984-0058 or email njczm@dep.nj.gov.
New
Permit-By-Rule for the Construction and/or Installation of
Boat Wash Wastewater systems
On November
14, 2008 the NJDEP adopted amendments to the Coastal Permit
Program rules, N.J.A.C. 7:7 to add a new permit-by-rule for
the construction and/or installation of boat wash wastewater
systems and associated infrastructure that prevent any discharge
of boat wash wastewater to the waters of the State at marinas,
boatyards and boat sales facilities. This new permit-by-rule,
codified at N.J.A.C. 7:7-7.2(a)11 (Proposal click HERE;
Adoption click HERE),
is available to any marina, boatyard or boat sales facility
that installs a boat bottom wash wastewater system, including
those necessary to comply with the equipment and vehicle washing
provisions of the Basic Industrial Stormwater General Permit
(5G2) under the NJPDES rules and those that are not subject
to this general permit but that wish to voluntarily install
such systems.
The new
permit-by-rule authorizes the construction of boat wash wastewater
systems, including collection systems, reclaim/recycling systems,
and connections to existing sanitary sewers. The components
of such systems include impervious wash pads, sumps or some
other mechanisms to collect the wash wastewater, treatment
systems to remove contaminants from the water, sheds to house
the treatment system, and tanks to store the treated water
for reuse or the wash wastewater for collection. The systems
must be located on the upland portion of the site and outside
of any wetlands in order to minimize impacts to special areas
and the water body.
Under
this permit-by-rule, each wash pad must be bermed or pitched
to allow the wastewater to flow to a central or main collection
bin located beneath the pad and prevent the wastewater from
flowing off the pad onto the ground or directly back into
surface waters. Each pad must be connected to a reclaim/recycling
system, a storage system, or a sanitary sewer. These requirements
ensure that the boat wash wastewater system will effectively
wash boat bottoms, collect the wash wastewater, and treat
or dispose of the wash wastewater so that it is not discharged
into the surface or ground water. Further, this permit-by-rule
will facilitate compliance with the Stormwater General Permit
as applicable, while minimizing affects of these systems on
the coastal environment. |
