Clean
Harbor Policy
Bristol
Marine's clean-up of the property acquired in 1998 reflects
the company's ongoing commitment to the environment and the
Town of Bristol. In addition to our personal attachment to
the harbor's natural treasures, we have a vital business interest
in a clean and beautiful harbor. Preserving the environmental
habitat is crucial for ensuring that the harbor remains a
vital resource to the town and its economy. We are committed
to exceeding the high standards set by the Coastal Resources
Management Council (CRMC) and the Department of Environmental
Management (DEM) for cleanliness.
- Boaters
must use the marina pumpout for waste disposal.
- The
marina has zero tolerance for litter .
- Oil
or gas spills, however minor, must be immediately reported
to the dock manager .
- Boaters
will not feed the wildlife.
Boaters
who violate any of these policies will be fined and will lose
their slips.
To
maintain the integrity of the property and surrounding waters,
Bristol Marine operates under Best Management Practices as
established by the CRMC. These practices include:
Storm Water Runoff
•
Effective runoff control strategies
are already in place. It is the goal to maintain adequate
buffer areas between the coastal zone and facilities. As part
of the improvement plan, small plants and shrubs will be planted
near the shoreline to aid in building a natural buffer.
•
Maintenance and cleanup are
carefully monitored. Tenants and boat owners will be advised
to use tarps to collect paint chips and dust, to ease the
cleanup process and prevent material from being carried into
surface waters. Tarps are available from Bristol Marine upon
request.
•
Proper tools are already in
place to ensure adequate cleanup and disposal. The facility
has vacuum sanders available to remove paint from hulls and
collect paint dust.
•
The facility maintains a settling
basin to filter out pollutants from the runoff.
Solid
Waste
•
Containers are available for
on-site generated trash and a dumpster is available for marine
customers. In accordance with the town ordinance, containers
are available for recyclable items. The facility also provides
means to recycle oil filters and batteries.
•
To support the use of environmentally
compatible products, the facility makes such products available
for sale to marine customers and uses these products in the
maintenance of customers' boats.
•
To convey the importance of
any environmental precautions that have been instituted in
the marina, the facility uses an e-newsletter to communicate
with its patrons. Future editions will includes articles about
eco-friendly practices.
•
To prevent residue from being
carried into surface waters, any abrasive blasting is performed
under a containment enclosure, which is available to tenants
and boat owners.
Liquid
Waste
•
On-site disposal of liquid wastes
such as waste oil, used antifreeze, and mineral spirits are
allowed in marked containers only. Separate containers are
available for waste oil, antifreeze, mineral spirits and paint
cans. All patrons will be advised as to location for the disposal
of such pollutants. Should a spill involving the above liquids
occur at the marina, the Oil Spill Response Plan will be implemented,
and adapted as needed.
•
The facility recycles where
possible, and adheres to existing state regulations pertaining
to disposal of hazardous material.
•
To enforce the prohibition on
the use of TBT-based paint, customers are told not to use
these paints in their storage agreement. There is also language
in these tenant agreements outlining hazardous material disposal.
•
The facility has made available
for sale to marine customers antifreeze that is less toxic
to the environment.
Petroleum
Control
•
On boats that we service, we
use oil-absorbing materials and promote the use of such materials
in the bilge areas of all boats with inboard engines, fuel
tanks, and oil reservoirs. The facility currently makes such
products available for sale.
In-Water
Boat Cleaning
•
All cleaning is done by hand,
the most environmentally sound practice.
•
Boats are easily removed from
the water for cleaning by the facility's travel lift, which
allows debris to be easily captured and properly disposed.
•
All patrons are advised of the
marina's policies on boat cleaning. The above water boat hull
area is to be cleaned by hand. Detergents containing phosphates,
ammonia, sodium hypochlorite, chlorinated solvents, petroleum
distillates, or lye are prohibited; only biodegradable detergents
are permitted.
Sewage
Facility
•
Most vessels that utilize the
marina have on-board sanitation devices. Pump-out services
are available at the marina during normal hours which are
posted at the marina office. A marina employee is available
during these hours to assist patrons with the use of this
facility. The pump-out station is inspected regularly in accordance
with the manufacturer's specifications and a record of all
inspections is maintained in the marina office. Maintenance
of the pump-out facility is regularly performed and all sewer
lines are cleared, closed and secured for winterization at
the conclusion of the boating season. The harbor master is
aware of the marina's pump-out facilities, the hours of operation,
and the maintenance of such facilities. In addition, while
docked, the marina encourages patrons to utilize the available
on-shore facilities in the marina's building.
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