It's the Law: On the Water
Discharge of Oil and
Other Hazardous Substances
- It is illegal to discharge oil or hazardous substances into the water.
- You are not allowed to dump oil into the bilge of the vessel without means for proper disposal.
 You must dispose of oil waste at an approved reception facility. On recreational vessels, a bucket or bailer is adequate for temporary storage prior to disposing of the oil waste at an approved facility.- If boating on federally controlled waters and your vessel is 26 feet or longer, you must display a 5 x 8-inch placard made of durable material, fixed in a conspicuous place in the machinery spaces or at the bilge pump control station, stating the Federal Water Pollution Control Act's law.
Discharge
of Waste
- State law prohibits vessels from discharging any untreated sewage into the waters of Arkansas.
- All recreational vessels with installed toilet facilities must have an operable marine sanitation device (MSD).
- Vessels 65 ft. in length and under may use a Type I, II, or III MSD. Vessels over 65 ft. must install a Type II or III MSD.
Types of MSDs
There are three types of MSDs.
- Types I and II MSDs are usually found on large vessels. Waste is treated with special chemicals to kill bacteria before the waste is discharged. Types I and II MSDs with "Y" valves that would direct the waste overboard must be secured so that the valve cannot be opened. This can be done by placing a lock or non-reusable seal on the "Y" valve or by taking the handle off the "Y" valve in a closed position.
- Type III MSDs provide no treatment and are either holding tanks or portable toilets. Collected waste should be taken ashore and disposed of in a pump-out station or onshore toilet.
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Discharge of Trash
It is illegal to dump refuse, garbage, or plastics into any state or federally controlled waters. Many forms of litter can kill birds, fish, and marine mammals.
- You must store trash in a container while on board and place it in a proper receptacle after returning to shore.
- If boating on federally controlled waters and your vessel is 26 feet or longer, you must display a Garbage Disposal Placard that is at least 4 x 9 inches and notifies passengers and crew about discharge restrictions.
Glass Containers
and Trash
The following law applies to any vessel that is easily susceptible to swamping, tipping, or rolling (such as a canoe, kayak, or inner tube) and operating within the banks of Arkansas navigable waterways (any navigable river, lake, or other body of water).
- Except for containers for substances prescribed by a licensed physician, no one may have or use glass containers within a vessel.
- All persons using a cooler, icebox, or other container for foodstuffs and beverages must:
- Ensure that the container is made to seal or lock in the contents to prevent them from spilling into the water.
- Carry and affix to the vessel a container or bag, of mesh construction, suitable for containing their trash and capable of being securely closed.
- Keep all beverages removed from such a container attached to or held within a floating holder or other device designed to prevent the beverage from sinking beneath the surface of the water.
- Transport all their trash to a place where the materials may be disposed of safely and lawfully.
- A container is not required for persons traveling without foodstuffs or beverages.
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