It seems like a lot of the No Discharge Zones are set without any respect to technology available today....How are these set? Where can I find the definitive list of these zones?
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Peggie Hall/Head Mistress
There is no list that's up to date
As for how "no discharge zones are established, the state or local governing body only has to apply to the EPA, including a statement that there are adequate pumpout facilities for the boat population. The EPA doesn't bother verify that there really are enough pumpouts, nor do bother to determine whether or not "no discharge" is really warranted....they just rubber stamp all applications "approved." However, there's a lot of misinformation as which waters actually ARE "no discharge" and which ones allow the use of Type I and II MSDs (treatment devices). There are actually very few REAL "no discharge" zones in coastal waters (inland waters are a different story)...the whole state of RI and a good bit of MA waters account for about 90% of 'em. There are only a couple of small areas on the Chesapeake Bay...and the Keys have the only ones in FL waters. Treatment devices are legal almost everywhere else. But many owners aren't even aware that treatment devices exist...many others don't have the electrical and/or financial resources to install one...a holding tank is their only option. And for them, that makes ALL waters de facto "no discharge," whether they really are or not.
As for how "no discharge zones are established, the state or local governing body only has to apply to the EPA, including a statement that there are adequate pumpout facilities for the boat population. The EPA doesn't bother verify that there really are enough pumpouts, nor do bother to determine whether or not "no discharge" is really warranted....they just rubber stamp all applications "approved." However, there's a lot of misinformation as which waters actually ARE "no discharge" and which ones allow the use of Type I and II MSDs (treatment devices). There are actually very few REAL "no discharge" zones in coastal waters (inland waters are a different story)...the whole state of RI and a good bit of MA waters account for about 90% of 'em. There are only a couple of small areas on the Chesapeake Bay...and the Keys have the only ones in FL waters. Treatment devices are legal almost everywhere else. But many owners aren't even aware that treatment devices exist...many others don't have the electrical and/or financial resources to install one...a holding tank is their only option. And for them, that makes ALL waters de facto "no discharge," whether they really are or not.
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Fabricant
No dump zone.
Congressman Saxton from NJ has a bill in committee which would allow the use of type 1 MSD's in no dumping zones. He could use some support from the boating world
Congressman Saxton from NJ has a bill in committee which would allow the use of type 1 MSD's in no dumping zones. He could use some support from the boating world
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Peggie Hall/Head Mistress
ALL US waters are "no DUMP" zones
There are NO waters within 3 miles of the entire US coastline in which it's legal to flush a toilet directly overboard or dump a tank. House Bill 3673, aka "The Saxton Bill" (which you can read in its entirety at the link below) won't change that. What it will do is change the federal standard for allowable discharge from Type I and II MSDs (treatment devices) and allow vessels equipped with Type I on II devices that meet those new standards to use them in all coastal waters, including those that are "no discharge." It won't change a thing on inland waters. And yes, it NEEDS your support! Rep Jim Saxton (R-NJ) is a sailor, btw.
There are NO waters within 3 miles of the entire US coastline in which it's legal to flush a toilet directly overboard or dump a tank. House Bill 3673, aka "The Saxton Bill" (which you can read in its entirety at the link below) won't change that. What it will do is change the federal standard for allowable discharge from Type I and II MSDs (treatment devices) and allow vessels equipped with Type I on II devices that meet those new standards to use them in all coastal waters, including those that are "no discharge." It won't change a thing on inland waters. And yes, it NEEDS your support! Rep Jim Saxton (R-NJ) is a sailor, btw.
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Stan Rogacevicz
Boat US
Boat US is the only 'by the boater - for the boater' organization that makes some serious noise I know of that will help push these kinds of bills through. When RI became a no discharge zone they published thier opinion of this folly in thier newsletter. Even though I hope I never get to use the limited towing discount I have for over 10 years and will allways be a member because unfortunatly it takes $$$ to do anything in government. Stan "Christy Leigh" c320 #656 >>>Congressman Saxton from NJ has a bill in committee which would allow the use of type 1 MSD's in no dumping zones. He could use some support from the boating world
Boat US is the only 'by the boater - for the boater' organization that makes some serious noise I know of that will help push these kinds of bills through. When RI became a no discharge zone they published thier opinion of this folly in thier newsletter. Even though I hope I never get to use the limited towing discount I have for over 10 years and will allways be a member because unfortunatly it takes $$$ to do anything in government. Stan "Christy Leigh" c320 #656 >>>Congressman Saxton from NJ has a bill in committee which would allow the use of type 1 MSD's in no dumping zones. He could use some support from the boating world
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Bill Mock
I was surprised to read that over 90-percent of the no discharge zones were on the east coast. Up to now, I was convinced that the entire Puget Sound and surronding waters were classified as a "no discharge zone". I would like to invest in a Type I or II MSD but I believe I would also have to have a holding tank to hold the discharge from the MSD (too redundant). Based on the limited information I have, the Puget Sound is NOT classified as "no discharge" which means that a Type I or II MSD could be used in those waters. Any thoughts on this from anyone? Regards, Bill Mock, "Tsarina" Bellingham, WA
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Bill Mock
I was surprised to read that over 90-percent of the no discharge zones were on the east coast. Up to now, I was convinced that the entire Puget Sound and surronding waters were classified as a "no discharge zone". I would like to invest in a Type I or II MSD but I believe I would also have to have a holding tank to hold the discharge from the MSD (too redundant). Based on the limited information I have, the Puget Sound is NOT classified as "no discharge" which means that a Type I or II MSD could be used in those waters. Any thoughts on this from anyone? Regards, Bill Mock, "Tsarina" Bellingham, WA
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Peggie Hall/Head Mistress
Discharge from Type I can go directly overboard
So you would not need a holding tank to hold the discharge from it unless you visit a "no discharge" harbor or marina. To my knowledge, they are few and far between anywhere on the west coast, especially in the PNW. When checking, don't just take other boat owners' word for it...it's surprising how many aren't even aware that treatment device exist...they think the only choices are illegal direct discharge or a holding tank, which in their minds makes their waters "no discharge." Actually, 90% of "no discharge" waters aren't on the east coast either, they're on inland waters. Except for RI, several areas in MA waters, and the new marine sanctuary off Key West (and, I BELIEVE, Destin harbor in the Gulf), they're as hard to find on the east coast as on the west coast.
So you would not need a holding tank to hold the discharge from it unless you visit a "no discharge" harbor or marina. To my knowledge, they are few and far between anywhere on the west coast, especially in the PNW. When checking, don't just take other boat owners' word for it...it's surprising how many aren't even aware that treatment device exist...they think the only choices are illegal direct discharge or a holding tank, which in their minds makes their waters "no discharge." Actually, 90% of "no discharge" waters aren't on the east coast either, they're on inland waters. Except for RI, several areas in MA waters, and the new marine sanctuary off Key West (and, I BELIEVE, Destin harbor in the Gulf), they're as hard to find on the east coast as on the west coast.
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Peggie Hall/Head Mistress
Discharge from Type I can go directly overboard
So you would not need a holding tank to hold the discharge from it unless you visit a "no discharge" harbor or marina. To my knowledge, they are few and far between anywhere on the west coast, especially in the PNW. When checking, don't just take other boat owners' word for it...it's surprising how many aren't even aware that treatment device exist...they think the only choices are illegal direct discharge or a holding tank, which in their minds makes their waters "no discharge." Actually, 90% of "no discharge" waters aren't on the east coast either, they're on inland waters. Except for RI, several areas in MA waters, and the new marine sanctuary off Key West (and, I BELIEVE, Destin harbor in the Gulf), they're as hard to find on the east coast as on the west coast.
So you would not need a holding tank to hold the discharge from it unless you visit a "no discharge" harbor or marina. To my knowledge, they are few and far between anywhere on the west coast, especially in the PNW. When checking, don't just take other boat owners' word for it...it's surprising how many aren't even aware that treatment device exist...they think the only choices are illegal direct discharge or a holding tank, which in their minds makes their waters "no discharge." Actually, 90% of "no discharge" waters aren't on the east coast either, they're on inland waters. Except for RI, several areas in MA waters, and the new marine sanctuary off Key West (and, I BELIEVE, Destin harbor in the Gulf), they're as hard to find on the east coast as on the west coast.
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