Pumping out today for tomorrow's future!

The Clean Vessel Act

Congress passed the Clean Vessel Act (CVA) in 1992 to help reduce pollution from vessel sewage discharges. The Act established a five-year federal grant program administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and authorized $40 million from the Sport Fish Restoration Account for use by the states. Federal funds may constitute up to 75% of all approved projects with the remaining funds provided by the states or marinas.

Grants are available to the states on a competitive basis for the construction and/or renovation, operation and maintenance of pumpout and portable toilet dump stations.

Currently, states submit grant proposals, by May 1 of each year, to one of seven Fish and Wildlife Service regional offices for review. The service's Division of Federal Aid then convenes a panel including representatives from the Service's Washington Office of the Division of Federal Aid, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the Environmental Protection Agency, and the U.S. Coast Guard. The panel reviews, ranks and makes funding recommendations to the Director of the Fish and Wildlife Service. The Director gives priority consideration to grant proposals which provide installation and/or operation of pumpout and dump stations under Federally approved state plans.

All recreational vessels must have access to pumpouts funded under the Clean Vessel Act. NOAA will mark pumpout and dump station locations on its nautical charts. Halfway through the program, grants have been awarded to install 1,200 pumpout stations and 630 dump stations. A maximum fee of $5.00 may be charged for the use of pumpout facilities constructed or maintained with grant funds.

After a public comment period the Federal agencies, in cooperation with private organizations and the marine community, developed a pumpout symbol and a national slogan (below). Both will appear on products as well as at marinas supporting the Clean Vessel Act. Look for them at a waterbody near you.

CVA's Steering Committee

The Committee is primarily made up of individuals from the following:

• N.J. Division of Fish and Wildlife
• N.J. Sea Grant Marine Advisory Service
• Marine Trades Association of New Jersey
• Coastal County Representatives
• N.J. Marine Science Consortium
• Office of Land & Water Planning
• Other agencies

NOTE: Under CVA guidelines, pumpout stations at marinas that are purchased with CVA funds are required to be open to the general public, cost no more than $5.00 and be accessible to all boaters. All three of New Jersey's pumpout boats are government owned and operated (municipal or county) and do not charge for their services. CVA is not responsible for the management and wise use of personal watercrafts or commercial vessels at this time.

New Jersey's First Pumpout Boat

"THE CIRCLE OF LIFE"

WHAT IS IT?

Three CVA pumpout boats are in service in New Jersey. They are operated by the Borough of Seaside Park, by Monmouth County, and by Ocean County. New Jersey's first pumpout boat, "The Circle of Life", was dedicated on May 22, 1998 at the Borough of Seaside Park. The boat was given its name following an essay contest with the students of Seaside Park Borough School. "The Circle of Life" is a 20-foot open scow type boat, that can carry up to 300 gallons of boat sewage from vessels that are moored and anchored in Barnegat Bay. It was purchased with funds allocated under the Clean Vessel Act Program and NJ Department of Environmental Protection environmental grants.

Pumpout boats can pull up along side a recreational boat and pump out its sewage holding device with a suction hose. Once a pumpout boat is full of waste, it discharges the waste into a sewage treatment facility for proper disposal.

HABITAT PROBLEMS at TICES SHOAL

Approximately 3 miles south of Seaside Park and 6 miles north of Barnegat Inlet on the east side of Barnegat Bay (along Island Beach State Park) lies Tices Shoal. This is a popular recreational boating area that provides anchorage for approximately 600 recreational boats and crafts. Overnight anchorage at Tices Shoal is common, creating an environmental problem when boaters release boat sewage into the bay. Disease, contaminated shellfish beds and lower oxygen levels result from this practice. It detrimentally affects public health, overall water quality, plant life, clam and oyster beds and numerous wildlife species. Boaters using the pumpout boat will be an enormous step in rectifying boat sewage problems.

HOW to CONTACT the PUMPOUT BOATS

"The Circle of Life" monitors VHF radio frequency #9 and is in operation through mid-September. Give them a call - the cost is completely FREE! - and Barnegat Bay will benefit from your participation in keeping our waters clean and healthy. For additional information on the pumpout boats, contact the Borough of Seaside Park at 732-793-0234, the County of Monmouth at 732-431-7456 and the County of Ocean at 732-244-2121. For further information on land based pumpout stations call the NJ Division of Fish and Wildlife at 609-748-2056.

How to Pumpout Your Boat

Remove the cap from the boat's deck waste fitting. Insert pumpout hose nozzle into deck fitting. Turn pump on. If there is a hose valve, open it to start suction. When no waste is seen in "sight glass", close hose valve and remove nozzle from deck fitting. Put nozzle (with open valve) in bucket of water for 15 seconds to rinse hose. Rinse boat's tank with water and pump dry, if desired. Close valve and put away hose. Turn off pump and replace deck fitting cap.

The Manasquan River and the Shark River were given some help on May 28, 1998, as they were designated as New Jersey's first NO DISCHARGE ZONES for boat sewage. Later the Navesink River and the Shrewsbury River were also designated NO DISCHARGE ZONES by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection and the United States Environmental Protection Agency. What does this mean? It means that the discharge of any boat sewage, treated or untreated, is forbidden in these areas. These waterways have sufficient boat sewage pumpout facilities to accommodate all boaters using the areas. For additional information on pumpout stations near you, call the New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife at 609-748-2056.

Current law for the Manasquan, Shark, Navesink, and Shrewsbury Rivers now makes it illegal to dump boat sewage within 3 miles of the shorelines of these areas. Fines for illegal dumping may reach $2,000 or more. In order for a body of water to become designated as a no discharge zone, there should be 1 pumpout station per 200 to 300 slips. Once this number is established and the pumpout station is operational, the body of water may be designated a no discharge zone by the EPA and the NJDEP.

The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection has approved the Hudson River and Barnegat Bay for the No Discharge designation. The State of New York has also approved the Hudson River for such a designation. If approval of these two bodies of water is given by the US EPA, these two waterways will also become NO DISCHARGE ZONES.

The establishment of NO DISCHARGE ZONES is part of the state's watershed management program to reduce all sources of pollution. The sewage from boats can lower oxygen levels in the water, increase fecal bacteria counts and increase algae blooms. All these factors can lead to beach closings and restrictions on the consumption of shellfish and other fish. The end result of NO DISCHARGE ZONES is cleaner, healthier water that may lead to restrictions being lifted and a better environment for all to enjoy.

REMEMBER TO LOOK FOR THIS SIGN, AND FOLLOW IT TO THE NEAREST PUMPOUT STATION

Information for Marina Owners/Operators

Marinas wishing to install a pumpout station under the CVA program need to take the following steps:

1. Contact The Marine Trades Association of New Jersey (MTA) at 732-206-1400 or by fax at 732-206-1413 and request an application.

2. After completing the application, the marina should return it to MTA at 1451 Route 88E, Brick, NJ 08724-3152. MTA will scrutinize the application and if it has been executed correctly and meets all CVA criteria, it will be forwarded to the New Jersey Division of Fish & Wildlife for approval.

3. After the Division of Fish & Wildlife and the Office of Engineering & Construction have approved the application, the marina will be instructed that it is eligible to participate in the Clean Vessel Act and is able to purchase and install a pumpout unit. The marina is then free to choose from the many and various manufactured pumpouts that are available in the market. The marina is initially obligated to purchase and install the pumpout unit at its own expense.

4. After the pumpout unit has been installed, the Office of Engineering & Construction and the facilities engineer will inspect and approve the pumpout.

5. Once approved, the marina will be reimbursed 100% for its purchase and installation of the pumpout. This reimbursement comes from both federal and state funds.

6. Once the pumpout is installed under the CVA program, the marina may charge no more than $5.00 for pumpout service.

For further information on the application process, contact Russ Dodge, New Jersey Fish & Wildlife at 609-748-2056 or Eileen Cavanaugh, Marine Trades Association of New Jersey at 732-206-1400.

Pumpouts on Barnegat Bay

A Boater's Guide To Barnegat Bay And Little Egg Harbor is available from the Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Ocean County. This guide is in map form and is waterproof. The pumpout stations along these waterways are clearly delineated with the CVA symbol. Other useful wildlife information is also contained in the guide.

To obtain a copy of the Boater's Guide, call the New Jersey Division of Fish & Wildlife at 609-748-2056 or The Marine Trades Association of New Jersey at 732-206-1400 or write to CVA Program, New Jersey Division of Fish & Wildlife, Nacote Creek Research Station, Box 418, Port Republic, New Jersey, 08241.

CVA at Boat Shows

For information, call Russ Dodge at the CVA office at 609-748-2056.