San Diego Regional

A partnership of private marina owners, government marina operators and yacht club members from Dana Point to Chula Vista developed the Clean Marinas California Program to provide clean facilities and protect the state’s waterways from pollution. A tremendous effort has gone into the writing of this Clean Marinas California Program and the Best Management Practices (BMPs) outlined in this document.

On behalf of the Clean Marinas Team, I want to extend a whole-hearted ‘Thank You’ to the staff and board members of the San Diego Regional Water Quality Control Board who so graciously agreed to allow our Team to work on the Best Management Practices (BMPs), and incorporate them into a Clean Marinas1 California Program as an acceptable method to address the water quality in our marinas and yacht clubs. The Team specifically appreciates the cooperation from John Robertus, Executive Officer, and input from Pete Michael, Staff Environmental Scientist.

A big ‘Thank You’ also goes to Tim Leathers, Marina Manager for Cabrillo Isle Marina, for chairing the Subcommittee tasked with writing the BMPs, developing the Clean Marinas California Program’s Logo, establishing the point system and setting the guidelines for a ‘Clean Marina’ Designation. Frank Quan, Facilities Manager for the Department of Harbor & Beaches in the City of Oceanside and Vikki McMillan, Chair of the Community Relations Committee for Southwestern Yacht Club, were active members of the Subcommittee and many thanks goes to them as well for their ongoing dedication to this project. Leigh Taylor Johnson, Marine Adviser for Sea Grant California, was a key advisor to our group as the only non-marina or yacht club person attending most of the meetings. She provided valuable input.

Of course, without the participation, knowledge and expertise of California’s marina owners/operators and yacht club representatives during our numerous workshops, the Clean Marinas Document would not be as comprehensive as it needed to be. Thanks to all of you for your hard work. There were many (too many to list here) from outside our region, even as far as Florida, that had important input into this effort and we thank every one of you.

It is the objective of our partnership that all the marinas in the California and beyond obtain ‘Clean Marina’ designations, proudly fly the ‘Clean Marina’ burgee and display the ‘Clean Marina’ Designation Certificate and decals. All marinas and yacht clubs in California are encouraged to become certified. The Best Management Practices are written in a clear and concise manner to assist the marina owners/operators and yacht club managers in being designated a ‘Clean Marina’.

This joint effort has made Clean Marinas California Program – California with it’s Best Management Practices a living document being updated periodically that will guide our marinas, yacht clubs and boaters in keeping our boating waters clean and healthy. Working together we will accomplish ‘Clean Marina’ designations throughout the state and beyond.

H.P. “Sandy” Purdon

Founder, Clean Marina Program Sub-Committee of the Environmental Committee

San Diego Port Tenants Association

Clean Marinas California Program Contacts:

General Chairman:

Tim Leathers

Almar Marinas

Email: Tim Leathers

To schedule an inspection, please contact:

Mariann Timms

Marina Recreation Association

(209) 334-0661

Email: Mariann Timms

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Purposes & Goals

The purpose of the Clean Marinas California Program is to encourage the marinas and yacht clubs in California to use Best Management Practices (BMPs) in order to prevent or reduce pollution in our coastal waters.

The program provides a checklist to assist participating marinas and yacht clubs as they educate, train and encourage boaters and employees to protect the environment and water quality through the routine use of these BMPs.

A review of each facility will be performed by an independent team to determine that day-to-day activities and operations are enhancing the environment and water quality. Those meeting the Program standard and implementing a pledge to continue the use of these BMPs will receive a Clean Marina designation.

An important goal of the Program is to achieve 100% Clean Marinas California Program participation by the marinas and yacht clubs of our region.

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Introduction

BEST MANAGEMENT PRACTICES OR BMPs are:

All activities and devices that help prevent or reduce water pollution. Pollution may be carried to the water by storm drains, seeping through the ground, by falling from the air, or by direct spills or dumping. Some BMP examples would be: Good Boat-Keeping Practices, Education, Signs, Notices, Marina Rules and Regulations, Waste Receptacles, Spill Prevention and Rapid Clean-Up plans, to name a few.

This Clean Marinas California Program is an excellent guide to BMPs that can be used throughout Marinas and Yacht Clubs to keep boating waters clean and healthy.

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Clean Marina Review

· Marina review will be conducted by an impartial industry review team comprised of a cross section of professionals in the marina industry and related activities.

· Points required by regulation are in red. 100% of the points are required for designation if appropriate for that facility.

· Additional BMP points are in black and 70% of the total additional points are needed to gain the clean marina designation (see next page for further explanation.)

· A $300.00 Clean Marinas California Program inspection fee for costs associated with the Clean Marina Program designation including the flag, pennant, two decals, certificate, electronic logo and administration will be charged to the facility successfully passing the inspection. Please contact your regional coordinator to arrange payment.

· A dolphin flag and pennant award will be given to each marina that becomes designated as a clean marina, after the impartial team’s review.

· A designation certificate will also be awarded to each designated clean marina.

· The copyrighted designation logo will be available to be used by any clean marina designated facility for marketing or other materials.

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Score Sheets

The score sheets used by the Clean Marinas California Program are intended to be “living documents”. As the program evolves and as regulations change, the methods used to evaluate a marina’s performance will need to be revised.

Those elements of marina operations that are mandatory under Federal, State, City or Port regulations will be scored under the expectation that one hundred percent compliance is required. Other elements of marina operations will be scored with the expectation that seventy percent compliance is expected. The target of 70% is derived because various components of each of the scoring elements will not be applicable to every marina. Thus, marinas will not be able to score 100% on Additional elements in some areas.

If a certain BMP or function is not applicable to a particular marina or yacht club then you score it N/A (not applicable), you then subtract the point amount assigned to that BMP from the total Additional points at the bottom of the score card. Then divide the actual score by the possible Additional point total (less the N/A’s) to derive your percentage score.

The target rate of seventy percent was chosen based upon a similar program that is operational in Florida. As the California program matures, this target may be revised so that it conforms to actual results observed after marina reviews are completed.

Because the score sheets are “living documents” they must be retained before and after a marina’s designation to serve as a record of the efforts to achieve designation and to keep the designation current. Good faith effort is demonstrated by active and continual progress in achieving the criteria of the Clean Marinas California Program.

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Emergencies

A number of situations may occur in a marina that requires immediate response. Calling 911 may be appropriate in some instances, but additional staff response is also called for in nearly every emergency situation. Without pre-planning, important steps can be overlooked and without a quick reference guide, the best of intentions may not produce the best actions for solving the occasional, but intense problem.

Marina Best Management Practices

· Have a current and updated map of important shut off valves

· Keep a list of up-to-date Emergency Phone Numbers

· Ongoing Staff Training – Acquaint all employees with the contents of the emergency procedures and responsibilities for each situation as designed by the EAP.

Boater Best Management Practices

· Keep a serviced fire extinguisher available.

· Ensure engines and fluids are cooled before working to avoid burns.

· Keep work area clear of oil and debris.

· Provide continuous ventilation.

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Petroleum Containment

Fuel can be easily spilled into surface waters from the fuel tank air vent while fueling a boat, and oil can be easily discharged during bilge pumping.

Mission Statement

Table of Contents

Clean Marinas California Program Contacts:

Marina Best Management Practices

Boater Best Management Practices