Initiatives | Marinas | Legislation
Legislation
Coastal Zone Act Reauthorization Amendments (CZARA)
The Coastal Zone Act Reauthorization Amendments of 1990 (CZARA) created the Coastal Nonpoint Program under Section 6217, "Protecting Coastal Waters." Under Section 6217, all states with approved coastal zone management programs must develop a Coastal Nonpoint Program to control polluted runoff to coastal waters. The Coastal Nonpoint Program focuses on pollution prevention by ensuring states have the tools necessary to address polluted runoff. Specifically, the program establishes a consistent set of management measures designed to reduce polluted runoff from a variety of sources, including marinas. The Coastal Nonpoint Program also establishes shared responsibility for managing coastal waters between Coastal Zone Management programs and Nonpoint Source (or "319") state agencies. The Coastal Nonpoint Program was one of the main driving forces for states to develop Clean Marina programs.
Clean Water Act (Federal Water Pollution Control Act)
In 1972, congress passed the Clean Water Act (CWA), also known as the Federal Water Pollution Control Act, to address water quality protection. The Act prohibits the discharge of oil and other hazardous substances into U.S. navigable waters. It also prohibits the use of chemical agents like soaps, detergents, surfactants, or emulsifying agents to disperse fuel, oil, or other chemicals without the permission of the U.S. Coast Guard. In addition, all recreational boats with toilets must have a working marine sanitation devise on board. Congress amended the CWA in 1987, creating Section 319, the Nonpoint Source Management Program, to address the impacts of nonpoint source pollution on water quality. Section 319 also focuses on pollution prevention and provides grant support to states, territories, and tribal lands to address nonpoint source issues
Many states and local municipalities also have marina regulations so check with your state and municipalities to learn about all applicable marina and recreational boating requirements.
For more information, please contact cleanmarinas@noaa.gov.