Alaska Clean Harbors

Rachel LordOctober 26, 2010

A presentation to the Alaska Association of Harbormasters & Port Administrators

Overview

• Project background

• Program Development

• Program Components

• Pilot Clean Harbor Certification

• Future Directions for ACH

What Is Alaska Clean Harbors?

• Voluntary

• Non-regulatory

• Efficient & Effective• Focus on harbor

facilities and customers

• Requires:• Commitment• Communication

Clean Harbors in Alaska

The goal of Alaska Clean Harbors is to provide harbor staff and customers with effective tools to reduce pollution and protect Alaska’s marine resources.

Development of ACH

2007-2008

2009- 2010

Alaska Clean Harbors WorkgroupParticipants

CIRCAC, ADEC, Cities of: Skagway, Homer, Seward, AK Sea Grant, USCG MSD Kenai, Inletkeeper, Nuka Research

Funding from ADEC and CIRCAC

Alaska Clean Harbors certification programParticipants

Inletkeeper, Nuka Research, Cities of: Homer, Seldovia, Kodiak, Seward, Cordova, Juneau, Sitka, Dutch Harbor, Skagway, Prince William Soundkeeper, URS Corp., Clean Marina Washington, AK Sea Grant, ADEC, ADF&G, AAHPA

Funding from ADEC

The Clean Marina Model

• Began in 1990s

• 25 programs in coastal & Great Lakes states

• Similar program structure

The Clean Marina Model

• Diverse oversight

• Advisory Committees

• Regulatory caution

• Low-budget programs

• Flexibility & outreach

Input from Alaskans• ACH Advisory Committee• Harbor visits: Homer, Seldovia, Seward, Cordova, Juneau, Sitka

• AAHPA

Input from Alaskans• Regulatory concerns• Harbor users need to be

involved• Efficiency is key• Economic feasibility• Implementation

assistance• Common & unique needs• There is interest &

momentum

ACH Program Components• Alaska Clean Harbors

Guidebook• Certification Pledge and

BMP Checklist• Technical & material

assistance• Boater educational

materials• Outreach materials• ACH Website:

www.alaskacleanharbors.org

Technical & Material Assistance• Signage

• Website

• Ideas:– Capital projects– Grant assistance– Cost assessments– Assistance with

SWPPP & SPCC

Educational Materials• Alaska Boater Tip Sheets

– Can be photocopied & distributed to customers

– Include blank spaces for harbor-specific information

• Ideas:– Clean boater packets– ACH presence at trade

shows– Clean Boating tips in

harbor newsletters

Outreach Materials

ACH Website

ACH Website: Certification

ACH Website: Resources

Pilot Certification: Homer• Self-evaluation:

– Legal & Regulatory = 100%

– ACH Program = 70%• City Council approval

of the Alaska Clean Harbor pledge

• Feedback via written assessment

• Steps identified for certification

Pilot Certification: Seldovia• BMP Working Group:

Seldovia-specific BMPs identified for action

• Final report presented to the City Council

• Self-evaluation (done by City Manager)– Legal & Regulatory =

50%– ACH Program = 17%

The Future of ACH

• Organizational Structure– Coordinator– Regional Partners– Marine Technical Advisory Committee

• Funding• Program priorities

– Certifications– Direction for future funding opportunities

Coordinator & MTAC• Coordinator

oversees the program operation

• MTAC: Changes to program components

• Review harbor certifications

• Final certification approval

Funding & Future Priorities• Ideal minimum budget ~$50,000-60,000

per year (includes a full time coordinator)

• CIAP Tier 1 project for 2011 ($282,615 for 3 years)

• Other grant funding opportunities

• Establish MTAC & define specific priorities

Solid Waste Management

Hazardous Waste Management

Petroleum Product Management

Ninilchik River

Boat Cleaning & Hull Maintenance

Mt. Spurr

Fire Island Wind Power

Sewage and Pumpout Facility Operation

Vessel Operation Management

For More Information:

Check out the project website:– http://www.alaskacleanharbors.org

Rachel Lord

rachel@inletkeeper.org

907-235-4068

Homer, AK