1. www.dnr.maryland.gov/boating Maryland Clean Boating Lesson Plan Section 2 VESSEL SEWAGE

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

5. www.dnr.maryland.gov/boating Vessel Sewage No 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.

6. www.dnr.maryland.gov/boating Vessel Sewage Resources  For more information visit DNR’s website www.dnr.maryland.gov/boating/pumpout www.dnr.maryland.gov/boating/pumpout  www.boatus.com/foundation www.boatus.com/foundation  Know the laws and how they apply to you.