Document mpDr422p11N0vKjO1X2yYrgwB
UNITED STATESUNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
REGION 1
NVIRONMAEGENBCYOS5 TPOONST, OFMFAIC E0 2SQ1U0AR9E-, 3S9U1IT2E
100
RONMENTA
PROTECTION
Date:Dated as shown on electronic signature(s)
Subj:Inspection Report
Clean Water Act - National Pollutant Discharge Elimination
System (" NPDES ")
Marina at Admirals Hill
Digitally signed
From:Alex Rosenberg, Senior Inspector [signature]by ALEX
ROSENBERG
Date: 2022.12.13
10: 25: 16-05'00 '
I. Facility Information
A. Facility Name:Marina at Admirals Hill
B. Facility Location: 305 Commandant's Way
Chelsea, MA 02150
C. Facility Contacts:Rob Waters, Owner
174 Plaistow Road
Plaistow, NH 03865
603 366-5000
RWaters@WatersLegalGroup.com
D. NPDES ID No (s).: N / A
II. Background Information
A. Date(s) of inspection: November 15, 2022
B. Weather Conditions: 45 degrees, cloudy. Approximately 0.1 " inches of rain fell
on November 14, 2022 according to Weather Underground.
C. US EPA Representative(s):
Alex Rosenberg
D. State / Local Representative(s):
N / A
1 https://www.wunderground.com/history/weekly/us/ma/boston/KBOS/date/2022-11-15 (viewed on
December 13, 2022)
ED_019088A_00004569-00001
E. Federally Enforceable Requirements Covered During the Inspection:
National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System Multi - Sector General Permit
for Stormwater discharges associated with Industrial Activities (" MSGP ")
(June 4, 2015 and March 1, 2021-modified September 29, 2021)
F. Previous Enforcement Actions:
N / A
III. Type and Purpose of Inspection
United States Environmental Protection Agency (" EPA ") inspectors conducted an
evaluation of the facility described below that includes observations which may lead to
compliance determinations under the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System
(" NPDES ") Multi - Sector General Permit (" MSGP ") for Stormwater Discharges
Associated with Industrial Activity.
IV. Facility Description
Marina at Admirals Hill (" Admirals Hill "), referred to hereafter as the " Facility " or the
" site ", is a Marina with an associated boat maintenance and storage area. The Facility is
comprised of two distinct areas that share the same address, 305 Commandant Way in
Chelsea, Massachusetts. The entire site is approximately 1 acre.
V. Inspection
The inspection was unannounced.
I arrived at approximately 3pm and parked next to the boat lift. A sign (slide 4) indicated
that the following services were available at the site; spring cleaning, bottom - painting,
and detailing.
I called the Facility's phone number that was listed on Google. The administrative
assistant said the owner would meet me outside.
A. Opening Conference
I presented my credentials to Robert M. Waters, the owner, and explained the purpose of
the inspection.
Mr. Waters said that he was the owner and had just purchased the Marina. He added that
he has no prior experience with Marinas and was not familiar with the MSGP.
B. Facility Tour
A marine travel lift is located adjacent to approximately 40 boat slips. Two catch basins
are located up gradient from the lift (slide 3), and a third catch basin is located between
the rails of the travel lift.
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I observed spilled paint, and paint chips on the pavement (slides 6, 7 and 8) beneath a
boat that was slung over the travel lift (slide 4). Paint chips were also observed below the
high - tide mark between the rails approximately 10 yards downgradient from the
catchbasin that is located between the rails.
The Facility representative informed the inspector that although boat washing and
maintenance is periodically performed in this location, while a boat is on the lift, they
endeavor to complete washing only over an impervious pad in their maintenance yard.
The dock - hand, Bobby, who is an employee of the Facility, joined the conversation at
this point. He said that he has worked at the Marina for 30 years. Bobby reiterated that
they try not to wash or do maintenance over the travel lift. I asked why the boat was
supported with metal stanchions on the railway if it were not having work completed
while at that location. Bobby answered that the supports were temporary and that because
his help had left early that afternoon the boat would be transported to the storage and
maintenance yard early the next morning.
I mentioned the need for marinas that conduct maintenance activities to apply for a Clean
Water Act (" CWA ") general permit for any discharge of stormwater associated with its
industrial activities such as boat storage and maintenance. I also explained that the
discharge of power - wash water is considered a process wastewater that cannot be
discharged under a general permit.
Bobby confirmed that catchbasins adjacent to the travel lift discharge directly into the
adjoining water body.
Mr. Waters stated that upon purchasing the facility, he had begun to look into installation
of a water treatment system below the travel lift that would cost over $ 100,000. I
reiterated the fact that even treated bottom wash water was not permitted to be discharged
without an individual permit.
The three of us then walked to the boat storage and maintenance yard (slide 10) located
approximately 300 yards to the North along a public right - of - way.
Mr Waters explained that their dedicated boat bottom - washing area is located in the
maintenance yard (slide 2 and 9).
Bobby explained the protocol for bottom - washing. Boats are placed on top of a
rubberized tarp with sides that are raised approximately 3.5 inches that create a berm. In
order to move a boat onto the tarp, one of the four sides of the impermeable pad which is
constructed out of two inch by four inch dimensional lumber placed beneath the tarp,
must be removed. Once a boat is in position above the tarp, the side of the enclosure is
replaced. According to Facility representatives, sediments are captured on the tarp, and
wash water is permitted to overflow the berm and discharge to the adjoining water body
via a catch basin located in the middle of the maintenance yard.
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I explained again that wash water is not permitted to be discharged, and that many
marinas use a capture system that includes a re - circulating wash - water recycle system,
many of which are trailer mounted units.
The catch - basin within the maintenance yard was not able to be observed due to the fact
that boats are stored over and around it. Bobby explained that it discharges directly to the
adjoining water body.
Maintenance conducted within the yard includes sanding, scraping, and other mechanical
repairs.
C. Closing Conference
I explained that the Facility should immediately begin the process of developing a
stormwater pollution prevention plan (" SWPPP ") and submit a Notice of Intent (" NOI ")
for coverage under EPA's NPDES Multi - Sector General Permit for Stormwater
Discharges Associated with Industrial Activity.
I explained the process of how to apply for coverage through EPA's online applications
(NeT - MSGP & NeT - DMR) hosted on EPA's Central Data Exchange (" CDX "). I
mentioned how the Massachusetts Maritime Trade Association might be a good resource
for learning industry best practices.
I provided my business card and asked for Mr. Waters to send me an e - mail so that I
could receive his contact information. At 6:43 pm Mr. Waters sent his contact information
via e - mail.
I departed at approximately 4PM.
Unless otherwise noted, this report describes conditions at the facility / property as
observed by EPA inspector(s), and / or through records provided to and / or information
reported to EPA inspector(s) by facility representatives and as understood by the
inspector(s). This report may not capture all operations or activities ongoing at the time
of the inspection. This report does not make final determinations on potential areas of
concern. Nothing in this report affects EPA's authorities under federal statutes and
regulations to pursue further investigation or action.
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