Trash on the Water
Keeping Ohio's waterways clean is a difficult task, but with just a little forethought, Ohio's boaters can make a difference. In addition to being illegal under state and federal regulations, throwing litter overboard causes trash to float into our rivers and lakes, wash up on our beaches, and create an unsightly view with a potential to become hazardous as well.
It is an unfortunate fact that people find it easier to dump their refuse in the water than bring it back on shore. Sometimes it sinks, and sometimes it is carried away by the current. In either case, people falsely believe that the trash is gone. It is not! In fact, it is still very much here, and it can come back to haunt us.
Make sure that every piece of trash goes into your trash container. Metal cans and broken glass can injure both wildlife and swimmers. Waterfowl have become entangled and drowned because of plastic six-pack rings or discarded fishing line. The enjoyment of the boating environment can be destroyed by the sight of floating trash washed up on shore.
Littering is against the law. Individuals caught littering face public embarrassment, court fines, and/or sentencing of community service work time. A person found to have violated federal regulations while operating on federal waters (Lake Erie, the Muskingum River and the Ohio River) may be liable for a civil penalty not to exceed $25,000 for each violation. In addition, criminal penalties not to exceed $50,000 and/or imprisonment up to 5 years may be imposed. A person found to have violated State of Ohio regulations, specifically section 1547.49 of the Ohio Revised Code, while operating on state waters is guilty of a minor misdemeanor which carries a maximum fine of $100. The most important reason not to litter, however, should be the benefit gained from a clean, safe, natural boating environment. Be an environmentally aware boater, and encourage others to do the same. Your recreation depends on it!
The littering practices of a single boating party might seem insignificant, but if multiplied by the 382,218 registered boats in Ohio, the effects could be devastating. A commitment from us all is needed to follow the best environmental practices while boating, to save our fragile aquatic environment for the future. Remember, if you have room to bring it, there's room to take it back!
You not only need to properly contain the trash generated on board a boat, you also need to recycle whenever possible.
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