Your family’s safety is your top priority.
This doesn’t change when you head out to the lake.
So have you ever wondered if the water your
family is swimming, boating and fishing in is safe?
The Brazos River Authority (BRA) understands the
important connection between the safety of your
family and clean waterways. For this reason,
the BRA has endorsed the Texas Clean Marina
Program and the Texas Clean Boater Program.
The BRA implemented the two programs in 2005
at Lake Possum Kingdom and Granbury to promote
the importance of clean marinas and boatyards.
The programs help to raise awareness of
environmental laws by encouraging marinas
and boaters to adopt simple, innovative ways
to keep Texas coastal and inland waterway
resources clean. These changes include such
items as providing pump-out facilities for
boats with onboard toilets and sinks, providing
clean, functional restrooms that are available 24
hours a day and providing up-to-date emergency
plans for potential gasoline spills.
As part of the marina program, the BRA received
funding through a state-sponsored reimbursable
grant to jumpstart local awareness and educational
programs at Possum Kingdom and Granbury lakes.
The grant gave the BRA the opportunity to hold
workshops, site visits and certification
inspections, as well as distribute educational
materials.
Implementing environmentally friendly methods helps
marinas to decrease surface water pollution. Common
contaminants frequently found at marinas include
trash, sewage, fertilizers and petroleum products.
These pollutants have become increasingly present
as marinas and recreational boating have become
increasingly popular.
The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality
(TCEQ) chose the BRA to be a Clean Marina delegate.
The delegate status grants the BRA the authority to
promote and perform marina inspections. In addition,
the BRA’s lake rangers are authorized by TCEQ to
conduct state-mandated inspections of on board marine
sanitation devices and marina sewage pump-out stations.
Like the Clean Texas Marinas Program, the Clean Texas
Boater Program is voluntary and provides all boat owners
with the resources needed to reduce pollution in Texas
waterways -- enhancing the safety of your family. These
resources include clean boating tips, oil spill prevention
kits and pump-out guides.
You may join the Clean Texas Boater Program by signing the
program pledge card, which states that you will “recycle
when possible, practice proper fueling, keep Texas waters
free of trash and use pump-out facilities.” Once your
pledge is received, you will be sent a Clean Boater sticker
to proudly display on your boat. Your family’s involvement
will show others that you not only safely enjoy the lake,
but you also care about implementing clean boating practices.
For additional information on the Texas Clean Marinas or
Clean Boating programs, please contact the Brazos River
Authority Public Information Office at 254-761-3111 or
TCEQ at 512-239-1000.