Environmental and Safety Compliance

Protecting the environment comes naturally to most boaters and others who practice being a good neighbor, on land or water. On water, especially, every action or sound a boater makes impacts others sharing the waterway, the water itself, marine life living in it, and the near-shore and shoreline ecosystem and inhabitants. In almost all cases, a commonsense approach while boating will help protect the aquatic environment.

Clean water is the foundation for enjoyable boating. It's up to those who appreciate and recognize the privilege of using the waterways to protect this resource now and for future generations.

Manufacturers of boats and related products are working to help safeguard the environment. Through research and development, testing and employing technology of related industries, propulsion systems are gaining efficiency, waste treatment systems are becoming more effective, and maintenance products are getting "greener." Industry workers understand their livelihood depends on clean water, and helping keep it that way is simply the right thing to do.

For more information please contact EmailJohn McKnight, (Director, Environmental & Safety Compliance) at (202) 737-9757

Marine Diesel Issues   Evaporative Emissions   IBEX Ethanol Presentations 2006   Hazardous Waste    
NIOSH Boat builders Study   Boat builders MACT Information   Marine Catalyst Test Program   NMMA Presentations    
OSHA Regulatory Issues   Propeller Avoidance Measures   Boat Noise Issues   EPA Marine SBREFA Process    
EPA Engine Emission Technology Cost Analysis   California SD/I Responsibilities   Area Source Rules   IBEX Boat Fuel System Presentations 2007    
REACH   IBEX 2008   Boat manufacturing Control Technology Guidance   Greenhouse Gas Emissions    
California Evaporative Emission Regulation   IBEX 2009 Presentations            
Update on EPA Marine Regulatory Issues   EPA Clean Water ACT Ballast Water Issue   Shipbuilding Surface Coating NESHAP   Ethanol Based Fuels    

  • Ethanol Blends [PDF - 1418.52 Kb]

    Issues Associated with the Use of Higher Ethanol Blends (E17-E24)

  • Non-Automotive Engines [PDF - 415.12 Kb]

    Assessment of E10 and E20 Petrol Ethanol Blends Applied to Non-Automotive Engines. Failure Mode and Effects Analysis of Engine Function and Component Design for Mercury Marine 15hp Outboard and Stihl FS45 Line-Trimmer Engines.

  • Testing Based Assessment [PDF - 1841.34 Kb]

    Impacts of a 20% Ethanol Gasoline Fuel Blend on the Australian Passenger Vehicle Fleet

  • Impacts of a 10% and 20% [PDF - 234.93 Kb]

    A Literature Review Based Assessment on the Impacts of a 10% and 20% Ethanol Gasoline Fuel Blend on Non-Automotive Engines

  • Marine Outboard Driveability [PDF - 577.84 Kb]

    A report from Environment Australia with an assessment to Determine Impacts of a 10% and 20% Ethanol Gasoline Fuel Blend on a Small Batch of Engines

  • S. 138 [PDF - 20.63 Kb]

    S. 138 would require all gasoline sold in the state of Colorado to contain at least 5% ethanol by 2007, increasing incrementally to 20% by 2013.

  • Boat U.S. Magazine [DOC - 22.5 Kb]

    An article from the January 2006 Boat U.S. Magazine: Ethanol Suspect in Fiberglass Gas Tanks

  • Alternative Fuels Report to Congress [PDF - 67.97 Kb]

    Congressional report which explains the legislation and background analysis and issues with alternative fuels.

  • Congress Briefing on Ethanol Fuel and Public Policy Issues [PDF - 93.22 Kb]

    This briefing dreport to Congress focuses specifically on the issues of ethanol as a fuel and fuel additive

  • Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Report to Congress [PDF - 196.61 Kb]

    This briefing report to Congress reviews the status of energy efficiency and renewable sources of energy for assessing the need for Federal legislation.

  • EPA Jeff Holmstead letter to MN [PDF - 175.57 Kb]

    This letter outlines the waiver criteria that a state must prove to increase the ethanol content in motor fuel.

  • Ethanol Advantages and Disadvantages [ - 607.5 Kb]

    A presentation highlighting advantages and disadvantages of ethanol based fuels.

  • Ethanol Blended Fuels MIC summary [DOC - 36 Kb]

    A summary of the Minnesota E-20 legislation and other ethanol related activity by Motorcycle Industry Association

  • Ethanol Coalition Presentation to MN [ - 1478 Kb]

    This is a copy of a presentation to the state of Minnesota highlighting problems with E-20.

  • Ethanol- Energy Used in Agriculture Production [PDF - 1046.52 Kb]

    This report to Congress identifies the energy used to make agricultural products, including corn for ethanol.

  • Letter to EPA regarding E-20 Waiver [DOC - 126.5 Kb]

    This letter follows a coalition meeting with EPA explaining probloems associated with E-20

  • Letter to the State of Minnesota [DOC - 405 Kb]

    This NMMA letter was sent to the various agencies in Minnesota that are responsible for overseeing the waiver process. It raises the concerns with marine applications

  • Marine Engine Ethanol study [PDF - 577.84 Kb]

    Article on the drivability effects of ethanol on outboard engines E-10 / E-20

  • NMMA presentation on ethanol [ - 714.5 Kb]

    Presentation made to Marine Engine Manufacturers Division and Boating Industry Risk management Council rehgarding E-20

  • Orbital engine report [PDF - 2047.67 Kb]

    A Literature Based Assessment of the negative effects of E20 on Australia's Vehicle Fleet

  • Reformulated Fuels Association E-20 Plan [DOC - 60 Kb]

    This report is the plan that the RFA has put together to attempt to get a waiver from EPA to increase the ethanol content in motor fuel to 20%.

  • Ethanol Presentation [PDF - 946.12 Kb]

    Presentation from the ethanol coalition which explains the benefits of ethanol as a fuel and fuel additive.

  • NMMA Position Ethanol Position Paper [DOC - 33 Kb]

    This paper describes some of the technical challendges with ethanol and boat fuel systems

Number of documents: 23

Regulatory Updates


Regulatory News


Emission Control Information


On January 7, 2003, NMMA submitted written comments, that accompany oral testimony given on October 7, 2002, to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency regarding the Proposed Rulemaking on Evaporative Emissions. NMMA's comments, along with two attachments, may be viewed below:

On August 14, 2002, the EPA published in the Federal Register a proposal to require emission controls on boat fuel systems. The EPA proposal would require modifications to the current boat fuel hose, vent controls such as a one-psi pressure relief valve to reduce diurnal emissions, and permeation measures on plastic tanks. NMMA has put together an evaporative emission task force to address this rule. Written comments are due in November.

Read the proposal in its entirety »     More Information »

November 8, 2002 - Final EPA rule on recreational marine engine emission standards.

View the document »

Important Environmental & Safety Information