Virginia Coastal Program: 2003 Coastal Grant Project Description and Final Summary
Project Task:
83.01
Grantee:
Virginia Institute of Marine Science
Project Title:
Clean Marina Program Support – Assessment of Marinas
Project Description as Proposed:
The funds will be used to complement funds for a field position that will work closely with the other Clean Marina staff (at VIMS) as well as the Coastal Program, DEQ’s Office of Pollution Prevention, Virginia Department of Health, to develop an assessment of the implementation of water quality BMPs at marinas in Virginia’s coastal zone.
Utilizing the baseline data from the benchmark 1994 VMRC study “Assessing Marina Water Quality BMPs” contemporary site surveys and interviews will be completed for the 100 Tidewater marinas surveyed ten years ago.
The primary focus of the information will be management practices that are being used successfully to limit pollutant discharges. The survey will also provide an indication as to individual facility operator preferences and opinions regarding the usefulness of various management measures in reducing discharges. The survey group will be composed of all certified and pledged clean marinas as well as others included in the original VMRC assessment in 1994.
To the extent practicable from the original database, estimates of the pollutant reductions from particular BMPs will be established as well as comparative estimates of the reduced “environmental impact” of a certified clean marina vs. a non-Clean Marina.
Estimates of economic benefits to the marinas for participation (environmental fines avoided, reduction in permit fees, increased occupancy etc.) will also be attempted. An additional survey of economic benefits associated with the Clean Marina program will be implemented with Clean Marinas on the overall survey list.
Federal Funding:
$9,300
Project Contact:
Pete Hall, (804) 684-7768; petehall@vims.edu OR Thomas J. Murray, (804) 684-7190; tjm@vims.edu
Project Status:
Grant Closed
Final Product Received:
Murray, Thomas J. and Peter R. Hall.
Assessing a Decade of Implementing Water Quality Best Management Practices (BMPs) at Virginia Marinas,
1994 vs. 2005.
VIMS Marine Resource Report No. 2006-4. 26 pages
Project Summary Provided by Grantee:
The objective of this study was to determine the effectiveness of the Virginia’s Clean Marina Program in
promoting the use of Best Management Practices (BMPs) by Virginia marinas to reduce or eliminate pollutant
discharges to the waterways.
A 1994, pre-Virginia Clean Marina Program, survey results were used as a benchmark against which to compare
the results of the 2005 survey. The 100 marinas surveyed in 1994 were included in the study sample along with
the 22 marinas that have achieved the Virginia Clean Marina (VCM) designation. Six of these VCMs were among
the group surveyed in 1994. This study determined what affect the Virginia Clean Marina Program, inaugurated
in January 2001, has had on marinas and their use of BMPs in the preventing pollutant discharges to Virginia’s
waterways.
The survey results show significant improvement in the overall use of BMPs at Virginia’s marinas, particularly at
the VCMs. Additionally, 79% of the VCMs feel that the VCM status has brought economic benefits to their
marina by both reducing costs and increasing revenues. When asked to elaborate, 70% of the marinas
responding felt that the VCM designation had led to increased revenues (ranging from $5,000- $50,000 annually);
primarily from attracting new customers. A total of 43% felt the Virginia Clean Marina Program guidebook and
management practices helped reduce the costs of operating; 29% said they had not had VCM status long
enough to quantify such impacts. Furthermore, 79% felt that the VCM status led to more “goodwill” and
significantly improved relationships with regulators.
Disclaimer: This project summary provides the federal dollars initially awarded to the grantee. Due to underexpenditure or reprogramming of grant funds, this figure may change. For more information on the allocation of coastal grant funds, please contact Laura McKay, Virginia Coastal Program Manager, at 804.698.4323 or email: Laura.McKay@deq.virginia.gov
A more detailed Scope of Work for this project is available. Please direct your request for a copy to Virginia.Witmer@deq.virginia.gov
