DATE: October 8, 2019
SUBJECT:
Title
PRESENTATION AND DIRECTION TO STAFF ON IN-WATER HULL CLEANING POLICY APPROACHES:
A) INFORMATIONAL UPDATE ON IN-WATER HULL CLEANING BENCHMARKING AND CONCEPTUAL MODEL UPDATE;
B) REVIEW OF PORT DISTRICT REGULATION OF IN-WATER HULL CLEANING; AND
C) ADDITIONAL VESSEL POLLUTION MATTERS
Body
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
At the June 2019 Board of Port Commissioners Meeting, District staff presented updates on the Shelter Island Yacht Basin (SIYB) Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) and the Copper Reduction Program. During that presentation, staff discussed the need for additional copper reduction policies that would support copper load reduction efforts to meet 2022 TMDL compliance and achieve California water quality standards. Staff recommended exploring policy approaches related to In-Water Hull Cleaning (IWHC). The Board of Port Commissioners supported that recommendation and directed staff to evaluate policy options related to in-water hull cleaning.
Since the June 2019 BPC meeting, staff has conducted further research on the status of regulatory and scientific matters related to the SIYB TMDL and in-water hull cleaning, met with a number of stakeholders, attained general consensus on the best available science, and received early input on copper reduction strategies that can improve water quality.
A Conceptual Model update using the best available science was completed in September 2019. This technical evaluation found that while the TMDL's copper loading reduction compliance targets are consistent with the best available science, the TMDL's projected load contribution from in-water hull cleaning may be underestimated due in part to the manner in which the active and passive loading components are assessed.
Staff also initiated a process to include the public in review of the District's current in-water hull cleaning regulations. This review includes, reviewing the current In-Water Hull Cleaning Permits and associated Best Ma...
Click here for full text