Clean Boating

While most boaters are conscientious stewards of the environment, the standard marine toilet installed on many vessels can harm the delicate aquatic ecosystem. A “Marine Sanitation Device,” commonly known as an MSD II, “treats” sewage only by mascerating and chlorinating wastes before discharging them overboard. This limited treatment can add harmful solids, nutrients, chemicals, and other pollutants to receiving waters, thereby contributing to water quality degradation.

In particular, the discharge of vessel waste often contains chemical additives such as formaldehyde, phenols and chlorine. These wastes increase loadings of nutrients, pathogens and chemicals, and may adversely affect water quality, sensitive and important resources, and uses of these waters. Vessel sewage therefore threatens the ecological integrity of the Hudson and poses a health threat to those who live and recreate on or near the water.

  • The Hudson River Is A No Discharge Zone (NDZ)

  • How The Hudson "NDZ" Was Designated

  • Sewage Discharges Harm Aquatic Ecosystems

  • Promoting Responsible Boat Basin Dredging

  • Recreational Vessels

  • Commercial Vessels

  • EPA Recommendations for Reducing Marine Pollution

  • Advocating for Cleaner Ferries

Tell Gov. Hochul to block invasive species at the Erie and Champlain canals
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