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Draft 9/29/11
B4. Protect. Support economic viability of working waterfronts to help maintain ecosystem function
and sustain quality of life.
Background: The purpose of this strategy is to identify ways in which the economic vitality of working
waterfronts can be promoted, advanced and fostered while simultaneously achieving environmental
benefits. Washington State’s economy is intrinsically connected to the commercial and recreational
maritime industry, including deepwater ports for international trade, shipbuilding facilities, and marinas.
As such it is important to design Puget Sound protection and restoration strategies in a manner that
recognizes the contribution of the maritime industry to the region’s economic portfolio.
Relationship to recovery targets: The targets for which this strategy primarily relates are: Toxins in fish,
marine sediment quality, and shoreline armoring. For toxins in fish, the 2020 recovery target states that
bioaccumulative toxins and polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) meet threshold levels. Marine
sediment quality targets state that by 2020 all Puget Sound regions and bays achieve specific chemistry
measures set in the Washington State sediment management standards. For shoreline armoring, the
target states that from 2011 to 2020, the total amount of armoring removed is greater than the total
amount of new armoring in Puget Sound and feeder bluffs receive strategic attention for removal of
existing armoring and avoidance of new armoring. The target also states that soft shore techniques are
used for all new and replacement armoring unless it is demonstrably infeasible; it is important to note
that for industrial areas such as the Duwamish River, Elliott Bay, and the Ship Canal, it is more likely that
armoring will be redesigned or modified (rather than removed) to reduce ecological impacts and provide
environmental benefits over time.
B4.1 Ports/Marine Industry: Use, coordinate, expand and promote financial incentives and programs
for best practices at ports and in the marine industry that are protective of ecosystem health.
Ports and marinas have an important role to play in the protection and recovery of Puget Sound. Many
ports are involved in habitat restoration and mitigation projects across a variety of scales and locations,
from waterfronts to upland properties. The transition from a primarily resource-based economy has left
some Puget Sound communities with degraded and polluted waterfronts from old industrial activities, in
addition to pollution created by combined sewer overflows and stormwater runoff. Many ports take on
these types of cleanup projects through the Model Toxics Control Account (MTCA) or Superfund action,
which prevents the spread of toxic plumes from abandoned industrial sites.
A significant number of large ports around Puget Sound require dredging as part of their ongoing
operations. Dredging is also a significant component of cleanup projects. For toxics control and
reduction, it is critical that dredging and dredged material management practices ensure no degradation
of the environmental quality of urban bays and waterways. The primary program that controls toxic
substances from dredging is the Dredged Material Management Program (DMMP), an interagency effort
that oversees the disposal and use of dredged sediments.
Marinas and boatyards are critical to controlling waste generated by boat maintenance and repair
activities and are regulated by the federal Clean Water Act as well as state law governing hazardous
waste disposal. In the absence of a regulated location, these activities would likely occur in areas where
hazardous wastes are released directly into the environment. Marinas are also key points of outreach
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and education for recreational boaters, such as promoting best practices for bilge water and waste
disposal.
Given the sizable presence of Department of Defense (DOD) naval facilities in Puget Sound, it is also
important to consider including DOD as a voluntary partner in programs that promote best practices for
ports and the marine industry that are protective of ecosystem health.
Recent Progress
In 2005 the Clean Marina Washington program was launched to improve environmental protection at
marinas. Fifty-nine marinas are currently certified under the program. In 2011, the Northwest Marine
Trade Association helped launch the Clean Boating Foundation, a non-profit organization aimed at
helping boatyards improve their environmental practices through a voluntary Certified Clean Boatyard
program.
In 2011 the legislature established a goal to phase-out copper bottom paint for recreational boats 65
feet and under by 2020 (SB 5436): “After January 1, 2018, new recreational water vessels with
antifouling paint containing copper may not be sold in the state. Beginning January 1, 2020, the sale of
copper antifouling paint intended for use on recreational water vessels is prohibited.”
Performance Objectives for Ongoing Programs
[Placeholder to include performance objectives for examples such as Bellingham Bay Pilot Project,
Elliott Bay/Lower Duwamish cleanup, and Port Angeles Harbor cleanup]
Near-Term Actions
B4.1 NTA 1: Ecology will provide funding assistance for marinas to meet requirements for
stormwater discharge and pressure wash water treatment of copper from boat repair and
maintenance activities.
Performance measure: number of marinas meeting stormwater discharge and pressure wash
water treatment requirements
B4.1 NTA 2: A multi-party working group will explore the feasibility of expanding the phase-out
of copper bottom paint: For recreational boats over 65 feet in length and/or commercial vessels
of various sizes.
Performance measure: working group formation and timeline for development of
recommendations
B4.1 NTA 3: Ecology will provide funding assistance for ports and maritime industry to
undertake comprehensive stormwater management planning.
Performance measure: number of completed comprehensive stormwater management plans for
ports and/or marinas.
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B4.1 NTA 4: Ecology and ports/marinas in Washington will jointly fund research and innovation
in lower impact methods of shoreline armoring in an urban industrial context.
Emerging Issues and Future Opportunities
Other ways in which this strategy could be advanced include the following:
Fund research and innovation in lower impact methods of shoreline armoring in an urban
industrial context.
Explore opportunities to support working waterfronts with marine spatial planning.
Explore opportunities for stormwater treatment pilot projects at public ports.
Work to adapt low impact development techniques to maximize effective in the context of
working waterfronts.
