Bilge Water
Every boat must have a BIO-SOK, installed in its bilge in order to prevent oil or fuel from being pumped overboard creating a sheen on the marina waters. Surficants may not be used, as they cause oil to sink to the bottom of the canals.
Excerpt from Belle Maer Harbor's Environmental Rules and Regulations Contract.
Belle Maer Harbor was recently required to obtain a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit (NPDES). This permit is now required of all marina facilities although all facilities have not yet obtained it. The purpose of the permit is to allow a mechanism for preventing pollutants of all types to enter the waterways of the state and nation, which is something we all want, because none of us want to contribute to the degradation of our beautiful lake. Among some of the things the permit requires Belle Maer is a best management practices plan that prescribes positive steps that we, as a business, can take to avoid having pollutants get in the water, as well as steps we can take to help our tenants with cleanliness, but we have had to take additional steps to help prevent storm water runoff from picking up contaminants on shore and carrying them into the canals and lake that surround us. Part of the management plan requires that we eliminate the possibility of pollution from the boats in the harbor. You are well familiar with the Coast Guard required sticker you have on your boat that essentially says you can't throw any trash or allow any oil substance to get in the water. The trash part is easy. The oil part is hard. But we have a solution and it is called BioSock. Belle Maer is going to require that everyone in the harbor install this product in the bilge of their boat. You can get it at the office or at the gas dock. It is something you only have to do once every season. Your reward is that you will know that you have done your part to help keep the lake clean. That, and if the Coast Guard or an MDNR enforcement officer stops you and inspects your boat, you can show them you have done your part. Additionally, if your bilge ever pumps out, you will have the peace of mind that your water was clean and you aren't the one looking at a fine.
Marc Howard
General Partner
Belle Maer Harbor
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