|
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Shellfish logo used by permission, courtesy of the Pacific Coast Shellfish Growers Association (PCSGA). Website hosted by:
|
|
|
Drayton Harbor ProjectsBoats/MarinasRecreational
CommercialAnother potential pollution source for the harbor comes from the commercial boats and businesses located on the pier at the mouth of the harbor. Like recreational vessels, discharges from commercial vessels, from holding tanks to bilge water and deck waste, are a potential source of contamination in the harbor. Management practices of the businesses occupying the wharf area of the marina can also impact water quality. Work is being done in this area with some of the commercial owners to help reduce pollution contributions.
On-site Septic
Systems |
||||||||||
Historically, boat owners
used to directly discharge their sewage into the waters on which they
navigated. This practice is no longer allowed in the inland waters of
the United States (no direct discharge is allowed within 3 miles of
land). However, old habits can be hard to break and this is definitely
a potential source of pollution for Drayton Harbor. The additional
drawback to this is that although the US does not allow direct
discharge of sewage in their waters, other countries still allow this
practice. Therefore, people from other countries traveling in US waters
may not know or respect our laws. Boats and marinas can also impact
water quality with more than just bacterial contamination- they can
contribute solvents, paints, oil and gasoline products, and other
chemicals into our marine environments. Education is a big component on
getting boaters and marinas to change practices and procedures. 
On-site pump-out
facilities The Port of Bellingham has installed 4 pump-out
facilities at its Blaine Marina facilities as part of its expansion
project. Three of these are portable units to make pumping out of
holding tanks easier. The Port has been looking into getting a pump-out
station for the commercial vessels that would have various adapters to
allow any vessel to hook up to it. The problem with this may be that
many commercial vessels are older and either don’t have
holding tanks or don’t have the ability to discharge above
deck (they have through hull discharge for when they are out to sea).
Signage - The Port of Bellingham has
added signage to their marina area. All of their pump-out facilities,
which allow boaters to properly dispose of their “black
water” or sewage, are now marked with a pump-out symbol,
making it easier for people to recognize them. The Port has also placed
two signs in the marina that inform boaters that the Blaine Marina is a
no-discharge harbor and discharging into these waters can result in a
$10,000 fine. The Community Oyster Farm Project also put up