Chapter 4: The Legal Requirements of Boating
Waste, Oil, and Trash Disposal in Wisconsin
It is illegal to discharge waste, oil or trash into any state
or federally controlled waters. This is for very good reasons:
- Sewage carries disease and other pollutants that are harmful
to people, aquatic plants and animals.
- Trash thrown into the water can injure swimmers and wildlife
alike. It can also plug engine cooling water intakes.
- Pollution is unsightly and takes away from your enjoyment of
the water.
Vessel operators need to be aware of the following regulations
for waste, oil and trash disposal that apply to both federally
controlled and state waters. The Refuse Act prohibits throwing,
discharging or depositing any refuse matter of any kind (including
trash, garbage, oil, and other liquid pollutants) into the waters
of the United States.
Signs like these are posted at marine sanitation pump-out
stations in Wisconsin.
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Discharge
Of Sewage And Waste
Wisconsin law states that it is unlawful to place, leave
or discharge waste or waste containers into or near any Wisconsin
waters.
- Every vessel with an installed toilet must have an operable
U.S. Coast Guard–certified marine sanitation device
(MSD) Type I, II or III.
- The types of MSDs are:
- Type III MSD, the simplest and most common, consists
of holding tanks or portable toilets. It requires only
a small storage space and is simple to operate. Type
III MSDs have the least effect on the environment because
the waste is discharged on shore into a local sewage
treatment facility or at a sewage pump-out station.
- 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 direct the waste overboard
must be secured in the closed position by a padlock,
non-releasable wire tie or removal of the handle, so
that the valve can’t be used either accidentally
or intentionally.
- All installed MSDs must be U.S. Coast Guard–certified.
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Discharge Of Trash
The Act to Prevent Pollution from Ships places limitations on
the discharge of garbage from vessels. It is illegal to dump refuse,
garbage or plastics into any state or federally controlled waters.
- You must store trash in a container on board, and place it
in a proper receptacle after returning to shore.
- If boating on federal waters, you must display a Garbage Disposal
Placard in a prominent location on vessels 26 feet or longer.
The Garbage Disposal Placard is a durable sign at least 4 x 9
inches that notifies passengers and crew about discharge restrictions.
Discharge of Oil and Other Hazardous Substances
Regulations issued under the Federal Water Pollution Control Act
require all vessels with propulsion machinery to have a capacity
to retain oil mixtures on board.
- You are not allowed to discharge oil or hazardous substances.
The penalty for illegal discharge may be a fine up to $10,000.
- You are not allowed to dump oil into the bilge of the vessel
without means for proper disposal. Fuel spills can be removed
using absorbent bilge pads.
- 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 if your vessel
discharges oil or hazardous substances in the water. Call the
toll-free number 800-424-8802 and report the discharge’s
location, color, source, substances, size, and time observed.
- If boating on federal waters and your vessel is 26 feet or
longer, you must display a 5 x 8 inch sign made of durable material.
The sign must be in a conspicuous place in the machinery spaces,
or at the bilge pump control station, stating the following:
Oil Discharge Placard
A 5 x 8-inch sign that states the law pertaining to oil discharge |
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Waste Management Plan
- Ocean-going vessels that are 40 feet or more in length with cooking and sleeping facilities must have a written Waste Management Plan.
- The captain of the vessel is responsible for implementing the Waste Management Plan.
- The Waste Management Plan, identifying the vessel's name and home port, should be posted and should include directives to all persons on board about:
- Discharging sewage and hazardous substances
- Discharging garbage and other food waste
- Disposing of plastics, bottles, and cans
- Reading applicable placards for additional information
- Advising the captain in case of oily discharges or diesel spills
 Stop
the Spread of Nuisance Species
It is essential to report Zebra Mussel sightings and help prevent
its spread to other lakes and rivers. The barnacle-like mussel
is a small black-and-white striped bivalve mollusk that first appeared
in this country in 1988 and has spread throughout the Great Lakes
and into the Mississippi Basin. Zebra Mussel poses a multi-million-dollar
threat to agriculture, industrial, and municipal water delivery
systems and possibly sport fisheries.
Take the following precautions to prevent transferring the Zebra
Mussel from infested waters:
- Inspect your vessel, motor, and trailer after each outing,
removing any plants and animals you see before leaving the waterbody.
- Drain your engine, live well, and bilge on land before leaving
the waterbody.
- Empty your bait bucket on land. Never release live bait into
a waterbody or release aquatic animals from one waterbody into
another.
- Dry your boat out or power wash it before launching.
- If you think you have found a Zebra Mussel, save it and contact
your nearest Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources offices.
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