Legislation recently adopted at both the Federal and State levels, requires the implementation of effective programs to preserve and enhance the quality of water for recreation and other purposes. In accordance with this legislation, efforts are underway to develop appropriate standards and control mechanisms to eliminate the discharge of untreated wastes from boats. Presently, there are several methods available for holding or treating sewage on boats; however, none has been found completely satisfactory. It is anticipated that additional study will lead to the development of effective devices, regulations, and standards to resolve the problem.

The proper location, construction and operation of supporting shore facilities is also an essential element in the preservation of water quality and protection of the public's health and estuarine resources. Sites of proposed marinas should be carefully selected so that they do not adversely affect other existing or potential uses, including shellfish culturing, harvesting, and water-oriented recreational activities. Physical and hydrographic characteristics of the site should be evaluated to determine if surrounding waters can safely assimilate any pollution that may occur despite precautions that have been followed.

Shellfish culture within the state is carried on at present in and below the intertidal zone. Commercial oyster culture is carried on in many of the protected and semi-protected bays and inlets. Intertidal clams have provided a readily available food supply, and recent investigations have shown exploitable subtidal clam populations. These sedentary forms are especially vulnerable to permanent damage from severe environmental changes. Ambulatory species are also adversely affected by such changes. However, they do possess greater facility for recovery.

Three aspects of marinas which can adversely affect the fishery resources are location, method of construction, and subsequent operation. Proper location of marinas is a key factor in reducing their impact c the fishery resources. Marinas should not be located in or adjacent to areas of shellfish culture. Locating a marina directly in a shellfish area will result in a direct loss of shellfish production through the physical construction of the marina.

In addition to site selection, attention must also be focused on construction and operational considerations. Basic sanitary facilities, including shoreside toilets and refuse containers, must be provided at all marinas. Sanitary facilities must be connected to public sewers or an individual sewage disposal system approved by the local health department. Marinas must make provisions for the collection and disposal of wastes, including sewage, refuse, oil, fuel and paint, from boats.

Marina operators have a responsibility to provide adequate maintenance and supervision of alt facilities provided for the public. Management should also establish and enforce rules restricting anyone from living aboard boats or flushing toilet facilities not equipped with approved treatment or retention devices while boats are docked at a marina.

When planning the development of a proposed marina the developer should contact the Washington State Department of Fisheries and the Washington State Department of Health. The State or local health department can provide guidance in the selection of a site and recommendations relating to the provision of an adequate water supply, sewage disposal installation, toilet and refuse facilities. The health department can also advise management concerning housekeeping functions and other operational problems relating to protection of the marine environment.

The study of small boating on Puget Sound and adjacent waters has found that pleasure boat ownership in the area is currently very high and expected to Increase 56 percent by 1980 and triple by 2000. The interest in boating is reflected in per capita ownership estimates which show that the study area has over twice as many boats per person as the nation. The area is very attractive to boaters with its 2500 square miles of water, 2350 miles of shoreline, scenic mountain backdrop and pleasant, marine tempered environ

ment.

The study shows that pleasure craft owners residing in the area demand transient and permanent moorages, launching ramps, harbors of refuge, and camping and picnicking areas in excess of the capacity of existing facilities to meet these needs. Also, they are concerned with the lack of protection from wave action at launching ramps and damage to craft from debris and other hazards. Many facilities now serving the boating public are of inadequate quality and insufficient size. Other marinas of good quality are not providing the type of facility demanded by boaters to meet their seasonal needs. In all divisions additional facilities are required.

The study indicated that over 11,000 additional winter rental moorages are currently needed with a large portion of these required in subarea 7, i.e. in the Everett area. Winter rental moorages needs are projected to rise from over 11,000 in 1966 to 25,000 by 1980. The majority of boaters using permanent rental moorages are demanding covered facilities during both summer and winter. Over ninety additional boat launching ramp lanes are currently needed in the area. At two acres per lane this amounts to nearly 200 acres of required land acquisition. Harbors of refuge are also urgently needed as reflected in the high boater response for this facility.

To meet the needs of recreational boating, both public and private investments will be required. Summer moorages can be constructed within the financial capabilities of the private developer, as little breakwater protection is normally required. Additional floats at established marinas will, in most instances, be sufficient to supply the needs of the transient boater. However, expensive breakwater protection is required for wet moorage marinas operated all year around and located along exposed shorelines. The large amount of capital required to construct a suitable protected marina usually limits small boat harbor development to public agencies.

Harbors of Refuge

Boaters were asked by the questionnaire survey to indicate where they need a harbor to flee heavy weather. The very high response, as reflected in Table 22, demonstrates a definite need for harbors of refuge where protective breakwaters are provided. A harbor of refuge is defined as a temporary haven for small craft in distress or seeking shelter from approaching storms; a safe place of rest and replenishment for transient boats. A harbor of refuge must offer anchor. age or moorage protected from waves of hazardous magnitude from any quarter, must have access by land, must have a public landing, and must have some means of obtaining aid, supplies or assistance. Entrances to small craft harbors of refuge must be safe for navigation by small craft under all but the most extreme sea and weather conditions found at the site. The entrance channel must be of adequate depth and width to allow for maneuvering by the small craft using the harbor. A harbor of refuge in a given area must be large enough to accommodate the estimated number of small craft that might require refuge at any one time (4).

No harbor located on Puget Sound and Adjacent Waters is designated as a harbor of refuge. Several of the larger public boat basins are able to afford some protection to transient small craft; however, moorages

have not been set aside for this purpose. The growth of pleasure boat activity increases the peril as more boaters are subjected to adverse wave actions during periods of sudden high winds. Uncertainty of weather conditions and the many miles of shoreline without protected harbors tend to reduce the cruising radius of many boaters.

Saltwater Camping and Picnicking Facilities

During the field surveys many inboard and outboard pleasure craft were viewed anchored off Marine parks. The bulk of these craft were not equipped with on-board sleeping facilities and had cruised a long distance from home moorages carrying camping gear for use at the parks. Many of the campgrounds at the marine parks were completely filled. This was particularly true of Sucia and Matia Island Parks in the San Juan Islands of the North Division. A very high demand shown in Table 22 for camping and picnicking facilities suggests that these popular facilities should be expanded.

ENVIRONMENTAL ASPECTS

Pleasure boats and supporting facilities in the study area have increased in numbers and magnitude to the point where their waste products pose a significant pollution problem. Almost all boats that are equipped with toilets and other sanitary facilities discharge untreated sewage directly into the water. Raw sewage is also being discharged into the water at a substantial number of shoreside facilities where toilets are not connected to sewers or other sewage disposal installations. Public toilet facilities are nonexistent at many marinas and docks. Thoughtless individuals are more apt to dump refuse into the water where there are no provisions for the adequate collection and disposal of solid wastes.

Boats and marinas do not contribute large volumes of sewage when compared with municipalities and industries; nevertheless, the pollution problem may be significant due to the high concentration of floating population and other public activity at recreation areas, especially during certain peak weekends. The problem is particularly acute where facilities and moorage sites are located near shellfish beds and outdoor recreational areas where adjacent waters are used for swimming, skiing, and other water contact sports. Boats pose a rather unique problem as they move freely into and rendezvous in isolated and previously unspoiled recreational waters.

Waste discharges from boats and marinas not only make the water unsightly and lower its use for other purposes, but may introduce disease-producing organisms into the water. Fresh body wastes may contain pathogenic bacteria and virus that cause illnesses including dysentery, shigellosis, typhoid fever, and infectious hepatitis. A serious hazard exists when shellfish are harvested and consumed from contaminated water in that shellfish can concentrate and retain disease microorganisms within their digestive

tract.

Legislation recently adopted at both the Federal and State levels, requires the implementation of effective programs to preserve and enhance the quality of water for recreation and other purposes. In accordance with this legislation, efforts are underway to develop appropriate standards and control mechanisms to eliminate the discharge of untreated wastes from boats. Presently, there are several methods available for holding or treating sewage on boats; however, none has been found completely satisfactory. It is anticipated that additional study will lead to the development of effective devices, regulations, and standards to resolve the problem.

The proper location, construction and operation of supporting shore facilities is also an essential element in the preservation of water quality and protection of the public's health and estuarine resources. Sites of proposed marinas should be carefully selected so that they do not adversely affect other existing or potential uses, including shellfish culturing, harvesting, and water-oriented recreational activities. Physical and hydrographic characteristics of the site should be evaluated to determine if surrounding waters can safely assimilate any pollution that may occur despite precautions that have been followed.

Shellfish culture within the state is carried on at present in and below the intertidal zone. Commercial oyster culture is carried on in many of the protected and semi-protected bays and inlets. Intertidal clams have provided a readily available food supply, and recent investigations have shown exploitable subtidal clam populations. These sedentary forms are especially vulnerable to permanent damage from severe environmental changes. Ambulatory species are also adversely affected by such changes. However, they do possess greater facility for recovery.

Three aspects of marinas which can adversely affect the fishery resources are location, method of construction, and subsequent operation. Proper location of marinas is a key factor in reducing their impact c the fishery resources. Marinas should not be located in or adjacent to areas of shellfish culture. Locating a marina directly in a shellfish area will result in a direct loss of shellfish production through the physical construction of the marina.

In addition to site selection, attention must also be focused on construction and operational considerations. Basic sanitary facilities, including shoreside toilets and refuse containers, must be provided at all marinas. Sanitary facilities must be connected to public sewers or an individual sewage disposal system approved by the local health department. Marinas must make provisions for the collection and disposal of wastes, including sewage, refuse, oil, fuel and paint, from boats.

Marina operators have a responsibility to provide adequate maintenance and supervision of alt facilities provided for the public. Management should also establish and enforce rules restricting anyone from living aboard boats or flushing toilet facilities not equipped with approved treatment or retention devices while boats are docked at a marina.

When planning the development of a proposed marina the developer should contact the Washington State Department of Fisheries and the Washington State Department of Health. The State or local health department can provide guidance in the selection of a site and recommendations relating to the provision of an adequate water supply, sewage disposal installation, toilet and refuse facilities. The health department can also advise management concerning housekeeping functions and other operational problems relating to protection of the marine environment.