Boat Sewage Ban Proposed In New York State Canal System
Release date: 03/16/2010
Contact Information: Caroline Newton (212) 637-3937, newton.caroline@epa.gov
(New York, NY) In an effort to improve the water quality of upstate New York, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has given preliminary approval to the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation’s (DEC) proposal to establish a “No Discharge Zone” throughout the New York State Canal System. If the proposal is approved, the discharge of sewage from boats into canal waters will be prohibited. Boat sewage discharge can contain harmful levels of bacteria and chemicals such as formaldehyde, phenols, and chlorine, which negatively impact water quality and impair marine life. EPA is asking the public to comment on this plan.
The New York State Canal System is 524 miles long and includes the Erie, Cayuga-Seneca, Champlain and Oswego canals; as well as Onondaga, Oneida and Cross Lakes. Currently, vessels operating in these waters are not restricted from discharging treated sewage from approved marine sanitation devices. When a “No Discharge” Zone is established, boats are required to use pump-out stations to dispose of waste.
A 30-day public comment period began March 15, 2010. EPA will review and respond to any comments received. Written comments must be postmarked no later than April 14, 2010 and should be addressed to: Moses Chang, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region 2, Clean Water Regulatory Branch, 290 Broadway, 24th Floor, New York, New York, 10007-1866. Telephone: (212) 637-3867. They may also be emailed to: chang.moses@epa.gov. Please include “Comments on Tentative Affirmative Decision for NYS Canal NDZ” in the subject line of the message.
For more information about No Discharge Zones, visit http://www.epa.gov/owow/oceans/regulatory/vessel_sewage/.
Region 2’s No-Discharge Zone website: http://www.epa.gov/region02/water/ndz/index.html
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Thursday, December 17, 2009
NOAA Office of Law Enforcement reminds mariners to slow down
Speed restrictions in seasonal management areas help protect right whales from ship strikes
Starting Sunday, Nov. 15, in waters off the U.S. Southeast coast, federal regulations will require vessels 65 feet or greater to slow down in the areas where North Atlantic right whales migrate, calve and nurse, as year two of the Right Whale Ship Strike Reduction Rule goes in effect.
The speed restrictions have been in effect in waters referred to in the rule as the U.S. Mid-Atlantic since Nov. 1.
The Right Whale Ship Strike Reduction Rule restricts vessels of 65 feet or greater to speeds of 10 knots or less in seasonal management areas along the East Coast. The speed restrictions, which are based on the migration pattern of the right whale, apply in areas from Rhode Island to Brunswick, Ga., Nov. 1-April 30 and from Brunswick, Ga., to St. Augustine, Fla., Nov.15-April 15. Maps of these areas and a compliance guide are available at www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/shipstrike.
The rule is designed to reduce the chances of right whales being injured or killed by ships. Right whales, which are protected under the U.S. Endangered Species Act of 1973 and the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972, are among the most endangered whales in the world, with fewer than 400 still in existence. Their slow movements combined with time spent at the surface and near the coast make them highly vulnerable to human activities, especially being struck by ships.
“The North Atlantic right whale remains highly depleted, and ship strikes are one of the major threats,” said Jim Balsiger, acting assistant administrator for National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association’s National Marine Fisheries Service. “We need all mariners entering U.S. ports to be aware of and adhere to these vessel speed restrictions. It is vital to the recovery of this species.”
NOAA Office of Law Enforcement and U.S. Coast Guard work together to enforce the Right Whale Ship Strike Reduction Rule. Failure to comply with the rule is a violation of the ESA and MMPA, and violators can be cited and fined.
“We're alerting vessel operators of these important regulations in an effort to improve compliance and reduce collisions,” said NOAA Special Agent Todd Nickerson of the New Bedford, Mass., field office. “We are trying to educate as many people as we can."
The mission of NOAA OLE is to ensure compliance with the laws and regulations enacted to conserve and protect our nation’s marine resources. To report a suspected violation, including vessels greater than 65 feet going faster than 10 knots in these seasonal management areas, please call the national hotline at 1-800-853-1964.
NOAA
Office of Law Enforcement
Starting Sunday, Nov. 15, in waters off the U.S. Southeast coast, federal regulations will require vessels 65 feet or greater to slow down in the areas where North Atlantic right whales migrate, calve and nurse, as year two of the Right Whale Ship Strike Reduction Rule goes in effect.
The speed restrictions have been in effect in waters referred to in the rule as the U.S. Mid-Atlantic since Nov. 1.
The Right Whale Ship Strike Reduction Rule restricts vessels of 65 feet or greater to speeds of 10 knots or less in seasonal management areas along the East Coast. The speed restrictions, which are based on the migration pattern of the right whale, apply in areas from Rhode Island to Brunswick, Ga., Nov. 1-April 30 and from Brunswick, Ga., to St. Augustine, Fla., Nov.15-April 15. Maps of these areas and a compliance guide are available at www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/shipstrike.
The rule is designed to reduce the chances of right whales being injured or killed by ships. Right whales, which are protected under the U.S. Endangered Species Act of 1973 and the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972, are among the most endangered whales in the world, with fewer than 400 still in existence. Their slow movements combined with time spent at the surface and near the coast make them highly vulnerable to human activities, especially being struck by ships.
“The North Atlantic right whale remains highly depleted, and ship strikes are one of the major threats,” said Jim Balsiger, acting assistant administrator for National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association’s National Marine Fisheries Service. “We need all mariners entering U.S. ports to be aware of and adhere to these vessel speed restrictions. It is vital to the recovery of this species.”
NOAA Office of Law Enforcement and U.S. Coast Guard work together to enforce the Right Whale Ship Strike Reduction Rule. Failure to comply with the rule is a violation of the ESA and MMPA, and violators can be cited and fined.
“We're alerting vessel operators of these important regulations in an effort to improve compliance and reduce collisions,” said NOAA Special Agent Todd Nickerson of the New Bedford, Mass., field office. “We are trying to educate as many people as we can."
The mission of NOAA OLE is to ensure compliance with the laws and regulations enacted to conserve and protect our nation’s marine resources. To report a suspected violation, including vessels greater than 65 feet going faster than 10 knots in these seasonal management areas, please call the national hotline at 1-800-853-1964.
NOAA
Office of Law Enforcement
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
2010 Boat Shows
Whether you're shopping for a new boat or just looking at what's new in the boating world, a boat show is a convenient place to see various manufactures for excellent side by side comparisons. They're also a great place to see the latest in electronics and other boating gear and accessories.
Many boat shows also feature seminars ranging from fishing to navigation. Visit with many of the non-profit organizations to learn more about the environment or boat safety.
Click on the the link below to see a current list of boat shows in your area courtesy of Discover Boating.
Boat Show Calendar
Many boat shows also feature seminars ranging from fishing to navigation. Visit with many of the non-profit organizations to learn more about the environment or boat safety.
Click on the the link below to see a current list of boat shows in your area courtesy of Discover Boating.
Boat Show Calendar
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
Propeller doesn't injure sea life
It can do for boats what seat belts did for cars.
And from now on the creator of this innovative device, Blacks Beach man Colin Chamberlain, said he hoped it would save hundreds of human lives and tens of thousands of marine animals every year...
Propeller doesn't injure sea life | Mackay News | Local News in Mackay | Mackay Daily MercuryRecession sinks Century Boat Company
PANAMA CITY — Century Boat Co. will stop manufacturing boats in Panama City, surprising employees who thought the company was making a comeback this year.
PC loses boat manufacturer | panama, city, longer - News - The News Herald
PC loses boat manufacturer | panama, city, longer - News - The News Herald
Sunday, November 29, 2009
Pirates of Colonial America Exhibit Premiering at Three 2010 NMMA Boat Shows
Exhibit Gives Visitors of All Ages Their Sea Legs with Interactive Fun
Chicago, IL
CONTACT: Dana Fennewald (dfennewald@nmma.org; 312-946-6256)
CHICAGO, November 23, 2009 -- The National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) announced today the premiere of the Pirates of Colonial America exhibit at three of its 2010 boat shows. The exhibit will offer an interactive and educational attraction that can be enjoyed by the entire family and provides added value to the boat show experience.
The new exhibit offers a host of interactive features and gives visitors the opportunity to learn how pirates played an active role in early Colonial America – from selling the colonists inexpensive untaxed goods, to the start of the first North American college. Historical researchers, authors and veteran museum coordinators John Moga and Jon Paul Van Harpen created this visually compelling exhibit to highlight the Pirates’ journey throughout the Revolutionary War.
“For years, visitors have come to NMMA boat shows for an experience the entire family can enjoy,” said Ben Wold, executive vice president of NMMA. “The Pirates of Colonial America exhibit offers a special uniqueness to these three shows, allowing visitors to learn more about the history of pirates and boating in an exciting, interactive atmosphere.”
The exhibit will be featured at the following NMMA shows in 2010: Kansas City Boat & Sportshow, Jan. 7–10.; Chicago Boat, RV & Outdoors Show, Jan.13–17 and Minneapolis Boat Show, Jan. 20–24.
For additional information regarding NMMA or to view a calendar of upcoming shows, visit NMMA.org.
About NMMA: National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) is the leading association representing the recreational boating industry in North America. NMMA member companies produce more than 80 percent of the boats, engines, trailers, accessories and gear used by boaters and anglers throughout the U.S. and Canada. The association is dedicated to industry growth through programs in public policy advocacy, market statistics and research, product quality assurance and promotion of the boating lifestyle. For more information, visit www.nmma.org.
Monday, November 16, 2009
NOAA Releases Expanded World Ocean Database
November 16, 2009
NOAA today released the World Ocean Database 2009, the largest, most comprehensive collection of scientific information about the oceans with records dating as far back as 1800. This product is part of the climate services provided by NOAA.
The 2009 database, updated from the 2005 edition, is significantly larger providing approximately 9.1 million temperature profiles and 3.5 million salinity reports. The 2009 database also captures 29 categories of scientific information from the oceans, including oxygen levels and chemical tracers, plus information on gases and isotopes that can be used to trace the movement of ocean currents.
“There is now more data about the global oceans than ever before,” said Sydney Levitus, director of the World Data Center for Oceanography, which is part of NOAA’s National Oceanographic Data Center. “Previous databases have shown the world ocean has warmed during the last 53 years, and it’s crucial we have reliable, accurate monitoring of our oceans into the future.”
Climate scientists use the World Ocean Database to track changing conditions which adds to the international science community's understanding of global climate change. Forecast centers, such as NOAA’s Ocean Prediction Center, also use the information for quality control of real-time oceanographic information.
The database is a crucial part of the Integrated Ocean Observing System and the Global Earth Observation System of Systems, or GEOSS, as a reliable source of oceanic information. The information was compiled by scientists at the Ocean Climate Laboratory, part of the NOAA Satellite and Information Service.
NOAA understands and predicts changes in the Earth’s environment—from the depths of the ocean to the surface of the sun—and conserves and manages our coastal and marine resources.
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