Transcript Environmental Overview

Environmental Compliance Promotion Workshop
Clean Water Act Guidance
August 13, 2015
Maritime Gloucester
Environmental Overview
Jack Wiggin
Urban Harbors Institute
University of Massachusetts Boston
Why does it Matter?
Coastal and ocean ecosystem services
• Seafood and other products from living marine
resources
• Healthy wetlands mitigate storm damage
• Economic activities:
Commercial fisheries
Recreation: boating, sport fishing, swimming, etc.
Jobs, wages, business income, tax revenue
National Ocean Economy, 20091
130,855
2.4 million
$84.25 billion
$217.87 billion
businesses
full-time and part-time employees
wages and benefits,
GDP
In terms of relative importance to the overall U.S. economy, this
represents 3.37 percent of total GDP and 4.81 percent of total.
1
National Working Waterfront Network, Sustainable Working Waterfronts Toolkit, 2009. US Economic Development Administration
Recreational Boating is beneficial to the economy
United States
• 11.8 recreational vessels registered by the states in 20141
• 15.8 million recreational boats in use in 20141,2
• 87.3 million people (35.7% of U.S. adults) participated in recreational boating in 20142
• $35.6 billion in recreational boating retail expenditures (new and pre-owned boats and
engines, trailers, accessories and services including fuel, repair, storage, insurance,
taxes) in 20123
• 338,526 marine industry jobs (manufacturing, dealers/wholesalers, services)3
• 34,833 marine industry businesses (2012)3
Massachusetts
• 134,739 registered and documented vessels, 2014 4
North Shore5
• 15, 454 Registered and documented vessels
•
~ 120 boating facilities
1
U.S. Coast Guard. 2014. Recreational Boating Statistics. COMDTPUB P16754.28
National Marine Manufacturers Association. 2014. Recreational Boating Statistical Abstract
3 Discover Boating , https://www.growboating.org/toolkit/facts-and-figures.aspx
4 Massachusetts Boat Registration database; USCG Documented Vessels database, 2014
5 State of Our Harbors, 2015
2
Gloucester Commercial Fishing
FY 2014 Gloucester, MA Landings1
59,080,404
$43,918,723
210
1 DOC/NOAA
Fisheries, 2015
2 Gloucester Dockage Study, 2014
live pounds
value
Active commercial fishing
vessels in Gloucester Inner
Harbor2
Environmental laws, regulations and programs
have improved water quality and habitat over the
past 40 years
• Estimated that billions of pounds of pollution have been
kept out of our waterways since passage of the CWA.
• Number of waters meeting clean water goals nationwide
consistently increasing with direct benefits for drinking
water, public health, recreation, and wildlife.
Potential Impacts of Marina and boatyard
discharges on the Environment
1. Oil and fuel
Oil from ballast water, oil tank washings, bilge water.
and waste oil
Fuel from refueling and vessel operation
Hydrocarbons and heavy metals are toxic to aquatic
organisms
Affects seabirds by reducing the insulating capacity of
their feathers and ingested weakens the animal.
Damages coastal wetlands and submerged aquatic
vegetation
Visible petroleum in the water affects tourism
2. Sewage
Human body wastes
These days untreated sewage in coastal waters may come
from faulty municipal or on-site treatment systems, or
direct discharges from shoreside facilities and boats.
Introduces microbial pathogens into the environment
Increases BOD, biological oxygen demand
Introduces nutrients that stimulate algal growth and
deplete oxygen in the water.
Direct exposure to disease-causing pathogens can make
swimmers sick, as can consuming shellfish from
contaminated waters. High fecal coliform bacterial counts
close shellfish beds and swimming beaches.
An aesthetic issue, impacting tourism and the waterfront
economy.
3. Vessel Maintenance and Repair
Includes surface cleaning, washing, waxing, sanding, grinding,
painting, plastic repair, and related tasks.
Antifouling paint traditionally contained copper. Until banned,
tributyltin was a highly effective, but very environmental
damaging compound.
Vessel sanding and cleaning can contribute particulate matter
to coastal waters inhibiting photosynthesis and grown of
aquatic grasses, which in turn impacts marine organisms that
depend on these plants.
Cleaners and detergents add nutrients to the water promoting
the growth of algae. Algal blooms decrease oxygen in the
water, suffocating fish and other marine animals.
Cleaning products may contain components toxic to marine
life.
4. Solid Waste and Debris
Plastics, wood, foams, packaging materials, tires, fishing gear,
glass, metal, cigarette filters, etc. in coastal waters are all
marine debris.
Land-based sources account for 70 percent of marine debris,
ocean and waterways sources for 30 percent.
May be hazardous to humans, such as medical waste or
broken glass.
Can be a serious hazard to wildlifemarine mammals,
seabirds, turtlesthrough entanglement or ingestion.
Direct economic impact by damaging boats
Aesthetic impact discourages participation in coastal
recreation
5. Stormwater Runoff
Rainfall or snowmelt moving over and through the ground,
picking up pollutants, eventually reaching coastal waters.
The leading remaining cause of water quality problems.
In marinas/boatyards polluted runoff can come from hull
maintenance, repair areas, and parking lots. Toxic metals from
hull scraping and sanding, oil and grease, detergents, litter and
bilge waste.
Degrades water quality and harms wildlife and its habitats.
Stormwater carries sediments to coastal waters, reducing
penetration of sunlight
Settles out it can smother plant and animal life.
Sedimentation fills channels and boat basins, necessitating
dredging and disposal of dredged material
Environmental Stewardship
Ports and cargo facilities have adopted GreenPorts strategies
and programs, exceeding regulatory requirements.
Coastal marinas, yacht clubs, and boatyards are encouraged to
participate in clean marina programs
Both yield environmental and economic benefits
State of Our Harbors, 2015
for Mass DCR & MCZM
73 coastal municipalities
210+ harbors
Database of dredged areas,
marine facilities, slips and
moorings, municipal revenue
Cataloging dredging needs and
economic value associated with
maintaining navigable waterways