Chapter 4: The Legal Requirements of Boating
Waste, Oil, and Trash Disposal in Utah and Federal Waters
It is illegal to discharge waste, oil or trash into any state
or federally controlled waters. This is for very good reasons:
- Sewage carries diseases and other pollutants that are harmful
to people, aquatic plants and animals.
- Trash thrown into the water can injure swimmers and wildlife
alike. It can also plug engine cooling water intakes.
- Pollution is unsightly and takes away from your enjoyment
of the water.
Vessel operators need to be aware of the following regulations
for waste, oil and trash disposal that apply to both federally
controlled and state waters.
- The Refuse Act prohibits throwing, discharging or depositing
any refuse matter of any kind (including trash, garbage, oil,
and other liquid pollutants) into the waters of the United States.
- Utah law states that you may not discard or discharge, nor
as the operator may you allow others onboard to discard or discharge,
any litter, human body waste, or other liquid or solid materials
into the water or shorelines that cause the waters or shorelines
to be unsightly, noxious, unwholesome or detrimental to the public
health or the enjoyment of the waters or shorelines. Any person
who violates this law is guilty of a Class B misdemeanor.
Signs like these are posted at pump-out stations in Utah.
 |
Discharge
of Sewage and Waste
If you have a recreational vessel with installed toilet
facilities, it must have an operable marine sanitation device
(MSD) onboard.
The types of MSDs are:
- Type III MSD, the simplest and most common, consists
of holding tanks or portable toilets. It requires only
a small storage space and is simple to operate. Type III
MSDs have the least effect on the environment since the
waste is to be discharged on shore into a local sewage
treatment facility.
- Types I and II MSDs are usually found on large vessels.
Waste is treated with special chemicals to kill bacteria
before the waste is discharged. Types I and II MSDs with “Y” valves
that direct the waste overboard must be secured so that
the valve cannot be opened. This can be done by placing
a lock or non-reusable seal on the “Y” valve
or by taking the handle off the “Y” valve.
All installed MSDs must be U.S. Coast Guard–certified.
A vessel may not be operated on Utah waters if it has a
marine toilet that discharges any inadequately treated human
body waste into the waters.
It is illegal for the owner or operator of a vessel with
a marine toilet to use, or permit the use of, a toilet unless
equipped to adequately treat, hold, incinerate, or handle
waste in a manner that prevents pollution of Utah waters.
It is illegal to discharge any human waste, whether treated
or untreated, into Utah waters or lands adjacent to the waters. |
Discharge of Trash
The Act to Prevent Pollution from Ships places limitations on
the discharge of garbage from vessels. It is illegal to dump garbage
and plastics into federally
controlled waters. Utah state law also prohibits discarding any litter in the
water.
- You must store trash in a container onboard, and place it
in a proper receptacle after returning to shore.
- On federal waters, you must display, in a prominent location,
a durable placard (sign) at least 4 x 9 inches on any vessel
26 feet or longer. It must notify passengers and crew about discharge
restrictions.
Discharge of Oil and Other Hazardous Substances
Regulations issued under the Federal Water Pollution Control Act
require all vessels with propulsion machinery to have a capacity
to retain oil mixtures onboard.
- You are not allowed to discharge oil or hazardous substances.
- You are not allowed to dump oil into the bilge of the vessel
without means for proper disposal.
- You must discharge oil waste to a reception facility. On recreational
vessels, a bucket or bailer is adequate.
- You must immediately notify the U. S. Coast Guard if your
vessel discharges oil or hazardous substances in the water. Call
toll-free 800-424-8802. Report the discharge’s location,
color, source, substances, size, and time observed. You must
also call the Utah Department of Environmental Quality at 1-801-538-6816
(daytime) or 1-801-536-4123 (after hours) and report the discharge.
- On federal waters, vessels 26 feet or longer must display
a 5 x 8 inch placard made of durable material, fixed in a conspicuous
place in the machinery spaces, or at the bilge pump control station,
stating the following:
Oil Discharge Placard
A 5 x 8-inch sign that states the law pertaining to oil discharge |
 |
Waste Management Plan
- Ocean-going vessels that are 40 feet or more in length with cooking and sleeping facilities must have a written Waste Management Plan.
- The captain of the vessel is responsible for implementing the Waste Management Plan.
- The Waste Management Plan, identifying the vessel's name and home port, should be posted and should include directives to all persons on board about:
- Discharging sewage and hazardous substances
- Discharging garbage and other food waste
- Disposing of plastics, bottles, and cans
- Reading applicable placards for additional information
- Advising the captain in case of oily discharges or diesel spills
Stop the Spread of Nuisance Species!
 Introducing
non-native species into Utah waters can upset the balance of the
ecosystem, hurting the environment. Aquatic nuisance species such
as zebra mussels and Eurasian watermilfoil can spread between waterways
by hitching a ride on vessels and trailers. When transplanted into
new waters, these organisms proliferate, displacing native species
and damaging the water resource.
To prevent spreading aquatic nuisance species:
- Inspect your vessel and trailer, removing any plants and animals
you see before leaving the waterbody.
- Drain water from your engine, live well, and bilge or transom
well on land before leaving the waterbody.
- Empty your bait bucket on land. Never release live bait into
a waterbody or release aquatic animals from one waterbody into
another.
- Rinse your vessel, trailer and equipment.
- Air dry your vessel and equipment for as long as possible.
|
