Good boaters and backpackers live by the same motto, “bring back what you take out." Tossing anything solid over the side of the boat is wrong. This includes:

• Cigarette Butts
• Fishing Line
• Food
• Paper
• Plastic
• Soda Cans

It is illegal to dump anything plastic into navigable waters all over the world.  

If your boat is over 26 feet long, the law requires you to post a sign reminding passengers of this law. Keep trash bags on board and take full bags home or throw them in trashcans or dumpsters with lids. Improve your part of the water by picking up trash that floats by whenever you are docked or anchored.

Clean Water & Boating Tips

• Use on-shore garbage and sewage facilities as much as possible.
• When cleaning your boat, avoid toxic polishes or stain removers near the water line.
• Always use pump-out facilities to empty on-board sewage holding tanks.
• Check your engine regularly to see if it is leaking oil or gas. When filling gas tanks or adding oil, be careful not to spill.
• Minimize the use of plastic disposable objects. If used, be sure to dispose of them properly on land.
• Do not fill bottles or cans with water and try to sink them. Dispose of them properly on shore.
• Keep a seal-able container for garbage on your boat. Make sure everyone uses it. When disposing of your garbage at a marina, follow their recycling rules.
• Place a bilge sock (an oil absorbing sponge available in marine stores) in your bilge to remove oil from your bilge water.
• Never litter. Retrieve any litter found in the water.