Listed below are some easy steps to becoming a Clean Boater and keeping our waters clean!
Proper care when fueling your boat
Spills during fueling are common due to overflow, which is preventable by not topping off the tank. Another way to decrease the possibilities of spills is to know the capacity of your fuel tank, and remembering that fuel expands on warm days so put less fuel on those days. Use the absorbent pad to catch drips from the fuel pump.
Use less toxic cleaning products
Keep your boat clean but at the same time water safe! Read labels on boat cleaners to ensure they are nontoxic, and chlorine and phosphate free. Minimize the use of soaps and detergents on your boat, and think about using alternative cleaners. Never use soap to disperse oil spills.
Use pumpouts and dump stations
It is illegal to discharge untreated sewage anywhere within the three-mile territorial limit including lakes, rivers, reservoirs or coastal waters. Never discharge treated sewage water into “restricted waters” such as a marina, swimming areas, a sanctuary, poorly flushed areas, lakes, reservoirs, or freshwater impoundments, and into a federal No Discharge Zone (Lake Tahoe is a No Discharge Zone!). Use sewage pumpouts, dump stations, or mobile-pumpout services. Visit www.dbw.parks.ca.gov to find locations.
The buzz on gray water
Many boaters could become cleaner boaters by decreasing the discharge of gray water into our lakes. Gray water is all wastewater on board produced during dishwashing, showers, or cleaning the boat. The main concern with gray water in our waterways is bacteria and nutrients. Excessive bacteria and nutrients cause unsafe boating and swimming, can close waterways, and cause algal blooms leading to eutrophication. Minimize discharge by doing dishes and shower on-shore whenever possible.
Aquatic Invasive Species – Clean, Drain & Dry your boat!
Before leaving any body of water, examine your boat and equipment and remove any visible mud, plants, or animals before transporting equipment. NEVER release plants, fish, or animals into a body of water unless they came out of that body of water. Also, do not release into storm drains, because most storm drains lead to water bodies or wetlands. Eliminate water from all equipment before transporting anywhere. Clean and dry anything that encountered water (boats, trailers, equipment, dogs, boots, clothing, etc.). Check out the Tahoe Resource Conservation District for updated information about inspections at Donner Lake and other water bodies around Truckee.
Contact Erica Mertens for more information and to pick up your kit at Town Hall!
Phone: (530) 582-2909