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Show III. E. 2. Management alternatives. Alternative A: No action Presently, no monitoring or study programs are aimed specifically at gray water. This alternative would continue that condition. Alternative B: Begin problem- assessment investigations ( preferred alternative) Under this alternative, marina anchorages and sites of concentrated shoreline use by houseboats would be monitored for the presence of fecal coliform bacteria to determine whether sewage is associated with boat discharges. ( Monitoring would be carried out as part of the shoreline water quality monitoring described in Section III. H.) Anchorages would also be monitored for concentration of phosporus, nitrogen, and chlorophyll a to check the nutrient status of waters where gray- water discharges are occurring. Concurrently, communications with state water pollution control agencies would be maintained to coordinate regulatory issues. The results of the monitoring programs would provide field data to evaluate the need for any additional regulatory efforts. A corollary activity would be to incorporate inspection of boat water- handling facilities into regular boat safety and health inspections conducted by NPS rangers. Inspection results would be recorded concerning gray- water handling so that discharge estimates for gray water could be improved. Regulations prohibiting sewage discharges would continue to be enforced during such inspections. Alternative C: Prohibit gray- water discharges Gray- water discharge would be prohibited under this alternative by special regulations of the National Park Service. The regulations would necessarily require new construction and licensing standards for houseboats and cabin cruisers, requiring containment of all wastewaters and discharge only into approved treatment facilities. This alternative would have substantial economic effects, since additional holding tanks would be required on boats of the rental fleet and on private craft with facilities for water use. Design changes and possibly larger boats could become necessary. Additional sewage treatment capacity would be needed at the marinas to handle the added wastewater loads. Some vessels might be prohibited from launching on Lake Powell if they could not be structurally modified to contain all wastewater. Implementation of this alternative could affect regulation of gray- water discharge in federal recreation areas nationwide. 34 |
