DATE: September 14, 2021
SUBJECT:
Title
SHELTER ISLAND YACHT BASIN (SIYB) DISSOLVED COPPER TOTAL MAXIMUM DAILY LOAD:
A. INFORMATIONAL UPDATE ON A PROPOSED PAUSE OF IN-WATER HULL CLEANING OF VESSELS WITH COPPER-BASED ANTIFOULING PAINT IN SIYB FOR AN EIGHT-WEEK PERIOD STARTING APPROXIMATELY MID-DECEMBER 2021 AND CONTINUING THROUGH MID-FEBRUARY 2022; AND
B. DIRECTION TO STAFF ON A DRAFT AMENDMENT TO SECTION 4.14 OF THE DISTRICT CODE, REGULATION OF IN-WATER HULL CLEANING, TO IMPLEMENT THE TEMPORARY PAUSE
Body
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
This is an informational presentation and update on an In-Water Hull Cleaning Pause (Hull Cleaning Pause) and request for direction on an accompanying draft amendment to District Code Section 4.14, Regulation of In-Water Hull Cleaning, (Draft Ordinance Amendment) that would temporarily pause in-water hull cleaning of vessels with copper-based paint in the Shelter Island Yacht Basin (SIYB) for an eight-week period. The purpose of the Hull Cleaning Pause is to improve water quality in SIYB and further assess improvements resulting from this mitigation measure. This item serves as a follow up to direction from the Board of Port Commissioners (Board) received during the June 2021 public Board meeting. A draft of the Board presentation is included as Attachment A.
In 2005, the San Diego Regional Water Quality Control Board (Regional Board) set a Dissolved Copper Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) for the SIYB based on dissolved copper levels in SIYB exceeding water quality objectives. The Regional Board attributed copper loading to copper-based antifouling paints applied to the hulls of recreational boats. The TMDL provides for a 76 percent reduction in copper loading by December 1, 2022. The Regional Board identified the District, SIYB marina owners and operators, in-water hull cleaners, and boat owners as the dischargers responsible for meeting the TMDL requirements.
While efforts to reduce copper loading into the basin have had som...
Click here for full text