The Virginia Department of Health (VDH), Marina Program's primary responsibility is to ensure all boating facilities in the state of Virginia have the proper sanitary facilities. The Marina Program also manages two grant programs. The first,the Clean Vessel Act (CVA) is a federal grant program intended to reduce the overboard discharge of sewage from recreational boats. The Boating Infrastructure Grant (BIG) is a competitive grant program designed to enhance facilities for the transient boater population.
The Virginia Department of Health Marina Program is responsible for ensuring that boating facilities throughout the state are in compliance with state regulations regarding on shore sanitary facilities. The Marina Inspection Program requires that a representative from the health department inspect all marinas and boating facilities once a year. The inspection involves counting the number of vessels present, counting the available boat slips, exercising pump-out and dump stations to ensure they are working properly, and inspecting the restroom facilities. If a marina or facility is not in compliance with state regulations, it will not be issued a Certificate to Operate.
Congress passed the Clean Vessel Act in 1992. Initially established for a period of five years, the grant program was extended in 1998 to continue through 2003. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service administers the program. Federal funds may constitute up to 75% of a project with the remaining funds coming from the states or marinas. The funds must be used for the installation of pump-out and dump stations with a portion of the money set aside to educate the boating population and marina owners. The VDH Marina Program is dedicated to informing boaters and marina operators of the serious threat posed by the discharge of sewage in Virginia waters. By providing funds through the CVA for the installation of pump-out and dump stations, as well as funding educational outreach programs, boaters can expect to see more convenient and reasonably priced methods of properly disposing their vessel sewage.
To meet the education requirements for funding, VDH participates in several outreach programs. During the boating season, demonstration projects are held in the Smith Mountain Lake and Tidewater areas of Virginia. Student interns in both regions visit marinas and pass out literature and promotional items that stress the importance of disposing of boat sewage properly. In addition to the handouts, the interns will also empty the contents of the sewage holding tanks at no charge. The Smith Mountain Lake program is managed by Ferrum College. In the Tidewater area Hampton Roads Sanitation District Commission oversees daily operations.
Both education programs now have access to a pump-out boat. The Tidewater area has been very successful in providing pump-out service by water for the last several summers. The pump-out boat is primarily used during festivals and on holidays when the demand for service is expected to be greater than usual. This summer will bring the introduction of a new pump-out vessel to Smith Mountain Lake. Both pump-out boats were partially funded through the Clean Vessel Act and are staffed by the student interns.
The months of February, March, April and May afford the opportunity to reach hundreds of boaters and marina operators by participating in boat shows. Marina Program employees and student interns staff a display booth at boat shows across the state. Updated lists of pump-out and dump station facilities throughout the state, literature and promotional items are all available at no charge to the customers and other vendors. VDH personnel are available to answer any questions boaters may have regarding the proper disposal of vessel sewage and any inquiries marina operators may have about the states regulations concerning onshore sanitary facilities at marinas. Literature and promotional items are networked through various boating organizations at the shows, enabling an even larger clientele to be reached.
The Boating Infrastructure Grant program was passed in 1998, authorizing U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services to create a grant program that assists marinas with their transient vessel facilities. Geared towards non-trailerable vessels (those 26 ft. in length or greater), the program is designed to enhance access to historic, recreational and scenic resources by providing public access from the water to shore communities. Thirty-two million dollars will be provided over the next four years to the states and territories. The funding is available on a competitive basis with facilities eligible for a 75% refund after completion of approved projects. Projects that could be funded include:
Transient slips (allowing for a maximum stay of 10 consecutive days)
Day docks
Dinghy docks
Floating and fixed piers
Navigational aids
Breakwaters, restrooms, trash receptacles, pump-out stations, and dockside utilities
One time dredging (allowing for access to a facility by larger vessels)
This is a summary of the type of projects that could receive funding. Other projects that would benefit the transient boating community will also receive consideration.