PROPOSED COASTAL MARINA PERMIT
RBOC Updated Overview for Yacht Clubs
October 23, 2009
The California State Water Resources Control Board [SWRCB] is moving forward with a proposed requirement that marinas and clubs with 10 or more slips and moorings obtain a state permit [Coastal Permit] and comply with a number of requirements.
The use of the word “coastal” in the permit name is a misnomer. The text of the proposal states that it would be required of moorings and marinas located inland in estuaries, bays and fresh waters such as the San-Joaquin Delta, lakes and reservoirs. The scope could also be expanded as the proposal moves forward.
Initial estimates are that compliance with the permit requirements would impose an annual cost of $250,000 per year on each marina and club.
The SWRCB decided to pursue the Coastal Permit after the federal initiatives were overturned last year. The stated objective is to control pollutants by implementing appropriate management practices at marinas located in impaired waters, and to prevent pollution generated by marina activities from potentially impacting high quality waters.
The SWRCB plans to conduct stakeholder workshops in February through April of 2010, to receive public comments in April 2010, and to vote upon the permit in November of 2010. The exact dates, times and locations of the stakeholder workshops have not yet been set, but plans are for workshops to be: February 2010 in San Diego, March 2010 in Ventura, and April 2010 in San Francisco.
BPC is working with PICYA, SCYA and RBOC to turn back this proposed regulation bnecause there are sufficient “clean marina” and monitoring programs in place and the reglulation is unnecessary.
Pertinent documents are posted at www.swrcb.ca.govand www.rboc.org.
