[Federal Register: June 26, 1998 (Volume 63, Number 123)] [Notices] [Page 34873-34874] From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov] [DOCID:fr26jn98-76] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY [FRL-6114-7] Massachusetts Marine Sanitation Device Standard; Receipt of Petition Notice is hereby given that a petition has been received from the State of Massachusetts requesting a determination of the Regional Administrator, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, pursuant to section 312(f)(3) of Public Law 92-500 as amended by Public Law 95-217 and Public Law 100-4, that adequate facilities for the safe and sanitary removal and treatment of sewage from all vessels are reasonably available for the coastal regions of the town of Harwich, State of Massachusetts, to qualify as a ``No Discharge Area'' (NDA). The areas covered under this petition include the major harbors and contiguous beaches between and including Allen , Wychmere and Saquatucket harbors and to the Herring River. The latitudes and longitude defining the boundaries are Town line of Dennis 70 deg.07'03'', 41 deg.39'16'', Herring River 70 deg.06'33'', 41 deg.40'08'', Allens Harbor 70 deg.05'22'', 41 deg.40'04'', Wychmere Harbor 70 deg.03'56'', 41 deg.40'04'', Saquatucket Harbor 70 deg.03'31'', 41 deg.40'09'', Town line of Chatham 70 deg.02'17'', 41 deg.39'58'', and the water boundaries are 70 deg.02'55'', 41 deg.39'52'',--70 deg.04'38'', 41 deg.39'46'',--70 deg.06'00'', 41 deg.39'35''. The State of Massachusetts has certified that there are two facilities to service the town of Harwich. A stationary shore side pump-out facility at the Saquatucket Municipal Marina has a 60 gallon per cycle capacity with discharge to a 2,500 gallon tight tank. This facility provides access for vessels with 6 feet draft at mean low water. This facility is available daily from May 1st through November 15th, weather permitting and open during daylight hours. Harbormaster personnel will be available to demonstrate the self-service system Tuesday through Sunday, from 9 a.m, to 3 p.m. The Harwich Harbormaster's office number is (508) 430-7532. The second facility is a pump-out boat typically docked at Saquatucket Municipal Marina, unless the private marinas request it for a short period of time. This pump-out boat will come to individual boats by appointment, which can be made by calling the Harwich Harbormaster on channel VHF 68 or calling the office at (508) 430-7532. The pump-out boat will be available May 1st through November 15th , and service is normally available [[Page 34874]] Tuesday through Sunday, 9 a.m to 3 p.m., weather permitting. In addition to these pump-out facilities, there is a town comfort station located on the Allen harbor town boat ramp parking area, and the Saquatucket Municipal Marina has on-shore bathroom and shower facilities available 24 hours a day. There are also private facilities at the Allen Harbor Yacht Club. The waste from stationary shore side pump-out facility at the Saquatucket Municipal Marina and the pump-out boat is collected and stored in a Department of Environmental Protection approved, 2,500 gallon tigh tank. This tank is fitted with alarms that activate in time to ensure waste removal long before the capacity is reached. The town of Harwich has an annual agreement with a licensed waste hauler to pump-out, on demand by the Harbormaster, and then transport the septage to the Town of Yarmouth's Sewage Treatment Facility. The Town Harwich has a contract with the Town of Yarmouth for the use of the Yarmouth- Dennis Septage Treatment Facility. There are approximately 753 boats either moored or docked within Herring Creek, Allens Harbor, Wychmere Harbor and Saquatucket Harbor and are primarily ``parking lot'' harbors where the majority of boats are under 27 feet. Of these 735 boats there are 35 commercial fishing vessels, and an estimated transient population of 68 vessels. The resources of the Herring Creek, Allens Harbor, Wychmere Harbor and Saquatucket Harbor are recreational and commercial. Wychmere Harbor is used by both recreational and commercial shell fishermen for the harvest of quahogs, clams, oysters, and bay scallops. Saquatucket Harbor is also used by both recreational and commercial shell fishermen for the harvest of quahogs, clams, oysters and is the site of the Town's commercial aquaculture operations. The beaches are located on the contiguous boundary with Nantucket Sound. Comments and reviews regarding this request for action may be filed on or before July 27, 1998. Such communications, or requests for information or a copy of the applicant's petition, should be addressed to Ann Rodney, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency--New England Region, Water Quality Unit (CWQ), JFK Federal Building, Boston, MA 02203. Telephone: 617-565-4885. E-Mail: RODNEY.ANN@EPAMAIL.EPA.GOV. Dated: June 17, 1998. John P. DeVillars, Regional Administrator, Region I. [FR Doc. 98-16799 Filed 6-25-98; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6560-50-P