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Ships & Boats
Vessels can have many different impacts on the environment and are regulated under a number of different laws, rules and agencies. Contact: Pam Parker 207-485-3038.
Non-Sewage Discharges
The Clean Boating Act of 2008 required the regulation of discharges of graywater, bilge water, ballast water, cooling water, drive shaft lubrication, and antifouling coatings among others which can contain a number of pollutants including bacteria, invasive species, oil and grease and pesticides to name a few. The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulates these discharges through a Vessel General Permit (VGP). The VGP requires use of best management practices as well as some monitoring to ensure that the vessels are in compliance with the permit. Recreational vessels and vessels of the armed forces are not subject to the VGP.
- EPA, Vessel Discharges - information on all the ways vessels are regulated by the federal government
- EPA, Vessel General Permit - information regarding the federal general permit
Sewage Discharges
The discharge of sewage (toilet waste) from vessels is regulated by the US Coast Guard and includes requirements for the installation of equipment that treats or holds the sewage (Marine Sanitation Devices), and through the establishment of areas in which the discharge of sewage from vessels is not allowed (No Discharge Areas or No Discharge Zones).
Related links
- Maine Marine Environmental Compliance Guide
- Emergency Spill and Response. Information and emergency numbers from the Bureau of Remediation and Waste Management.
- Inland Fisheries & Wildlife: Boating Laws & Rules (off-site; request by email).
- Lake and river protection stickers. No sticker is required for operating a boat in tidal waters. The Warden Service determines the boundary between inland and tidal waters on tidal rivers
- Maine Department of Marine Resources (DMR) (off-site).
- Public boat launches (off-site).