It's the Law: On the Water

Discharge of Trash

• It is illegal to dump refuse, garbage, or plastics into any state or federally controlled waters.
• 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.

Discharge of Oil and Other Hazardous Substances

• It is illegal to discharge oil or hazardous substances.
• You are not allowed to dump oil into the bilge of the vessel without means for proper disposal.
• You must discharge oil waste to a reception facility. On recreational vessels, a bucket or bailer is adequate.
• You must immediately notify the U.S. Coast Guard (1-800-424-8802) if your vessel discharges oil or hazardous substances in the water. You also must call Vermont Emergency Management (1-800-641-5005) and report the discharge.
• 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 Sewage and Waste It is illegal for a vessel to discharge sewage into the waters of Vermont. All vessels equipped with a marine toilet must have a waste-water holding system to prevent the discharge of waste products into surrounding waters. Any holding tank that is designed to allow discharge into the water (such as a those with a “Y” valve) must have the openings sealed shut. Also any discharge lines, pipes, or hoses must be disconnected and stored while the vessel is on Vermont waters. Residential use of vessels with overnight sleeping facilities is prohibited on waters that do not have sanitary waste pump-out facilities.