Marinas, yacht clubs, and boatyards provide critical services to the boating public—maintaining, mooring, fueling, storing, and launching vessels of all kinds. While modern facilities and efficient service are essential, clean water is a key attribute of successful boating-based businesses. The Massachusetts Clean Marina Guide is designed as a reference for owners and operators of marine boating facilities, collectively referred to as “marinas.” It provides information on cost-effective strategies and practices to reduce marina and boating impacts on the coastal environment.

To order a hardcopy of the handbook, please e-mail czm@state.ma.us with your name and mailing address or call the CZM Information Line at (617) 626-1212.

By Chapter
Table of Contents (PDF, 1.4MB)

Chapter One: Introduction (PDF, 108 KB)

Chapter Two: The Coastal Environment and Pollution Impacts (PDF, 172 KB)

Chapter Three: Clean Marina Operations and Management (PDF, 87 KB)

Chapter Four: Activities and Environmental Practices (PDF, 1.4 KB)
    4.1 - Hull Maintenance and Cleaning - Updated March 2007 (PDF, 880 KB)
    4.2 - Boat Cleaning (PDF, 72 KB)
    4.3 - Engine Maintenance (PDF, 95 KB)
    4.4 - Bilge Water Handling (PDF, 103 KB)
    4.5 - Fueling (PDF, 114 KB)
    4.6 - Spill Response (PDF, 91 KB)
    4.7 - Boat Sewage and Wastewater Management (PDF, 111 KB)
    4.8 - Shoreside Facilities and Pet Waste Management (PDF, 88 KB)
    4.9 - Solid Waste Management (PDF, 113 KB)
    4.10 - Hazardous Materials and Hazardous Waste Management (PDF, 103 KB)
    4.11 - Fish Waste Management (PDF, 67 KB)
    4.12 - Stormwater Management (PDF, 107 KB)
    4.13 - Boat Operations (PDF, 256 KB)

Chapter Five: New and Expanding Marinas (PDF, 113 KB)

Chapter Six: Major Regulatory Programs (PDF, 138 KB)

Chapter Seven: Pulling It Together — The Marina Environmental Management Plan (PDF, 104 KB)

Appendices (PDF, 684 KB)

Index and Acknowledgements (PDF, 552 KB)

New! Addendum to the Massachusetts Clean Marina Guide
A Guide to Selecting Pressure Washing Management Practices and Technologies: Supplement to the Massachusetts Clean Marina Guide (PDF, 1.4 MB), a comprehensive guide to pressure washing at marinas.

Also Included with the Clean Marina Guide
Boater Fact Sheets (PDF, 94 KB)

Please contact Robin Lacey, CZM's Marina Technical Assistance Specialist, if you have any questions about environmental management questions related to clean marinas.

Robin Lacey
617-626-1220
robin.lacey@state.ma.us