Boating in the Finger Lakes region is a lot of fun.
In fact, the cool breeze that whips through your hair, the crisp smell of lake water and fun water sports like wake boarding and water skiing makes the sport addictive!
However, the consequences of boating can significantly impact the lake and its water quality.
One of the most effective ways to protect a lake#'s water quality is to practice safe fueling techniques.
Gasoline contains nearly 100 toxic compounds that degrades water quality, harms humans, fish and other aquatic life as well as the quality of our drinking water.
Preventing oil and gasoline from entering the water is easy and important! All we need to do is practice proper fueling techniques by using oil absorbent pads, bilge socks or pillows while refueling the boat.
These items do a great job of selectively absorbing fuel while repelling water and can be used to clean accidental spills.
Please replace absorbent materials as they are needed.
Yet, to extend the life of oil absorbent pads, bilge socks or pillows, use gloves to wring them out onto an absorbent rag and re use them.
In addition to the advice above please follow these easy tips below:
Preventing spills
€ Ensure boat stability
€ Use a container you can handle with a no spill nozzle
€ Place absorbent cloths around the tank
€ Pour fuel slowly and smoothly - begin slow and end slow
€ Fill only until 90 percent full to allow room for heat expansion
€ Strap down portable fuel tanks and store in a dry, cool place
If you happen to spill oil and fuel into the water remember to first stop the source of the spill and then focus on containing it.
When possible contain the spill with absorbent materials.
For a fuel spill that is on the water or cannot be reached with absorbent materials immediately report it to the NYS Spill Hotline at (800) 457-7362 open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
As a boater you understand the importance of clean water and healthy lakes.
Without them we would no longer have a place to boat, swim, fish or drink from.
Just remember to practice these safe boating techniques at all times, whether it is from your dock, a public boat launch or a marina.
Contact Cornell Cooperative Extension at 255-1183 for more information about proper fueling techniques on boats.
Cooperative Extension can also answer your questions on agriculture, natural resources, 4-H, nutrition issues and much more.
Find us on the web at www.cce.cornell.edu/cayuga.
Renee Jensen is a program educator of environmental issues at Cornell Cooperative Extension of Cayuga County
However, the consequences of boating can significantly impact the lake and its water quality.
One of the most effective ways to protect a lake#'s water quality is to practice safe fueling techniques.
Gasoline contains nearly 100 toxic compounds that degrades water quality, harms humans, fish and other aquatic life as well as the quality of our drinking water.
Preventing oil and gasoline from entering the water is easy and important! All we need to do is practice proper fueling techniques by using oil absorbent pads, bilge socks or pillows while refueling the boat.
These items do a great job of selectively absorbing fuel while repelling water and can be used to clean accidental spills.
Please replace absorbent materials as they are needed.
Yet, to extend the life of oil absorbent pads, bilge socks or pillows, use gloves to wring them out onto an absorbent rag and re use them.
In addition to the advice above please follow these easy tips below:
Preventing spills
€ Ensure boat stability
€ Use a container you can handle with a no spill nozzle
€ Place absorbent cloths around the tank
€ Pour fuel slowly and smoothly - begin slow and end slow
€ Fill only until 90 percent full to allow room for heat expansion
€ Strap down portable fuel tanks and store in a dry, cool place
If you happen to spill oil and fuel into the water remember to first stop the source of the spill and then focus on containing it.
When possible contain the spill with absorbent materials.
For a fuel spill that is on the water or cannot be reached with absorbent materials immediately report it to the NYS Spill Hotline at (800) 457-7362 open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
As a boater you understand the importance of clean water and healthy lakes.
Without them we would no longer have a place to boat, swim, fish or drink from.
Just remember to practice these safe boating techniques at all times, whether it is from your dock, a public boat launch or a marina.
Contact Cornell Cooperative Extension at 255-1183 for more information about proper fueling techniques on boats.
Cooperative Extension can also answer your questions on agriculture, natural resources, 4-H, nutrition issues and much more.
Find us on the web at www.cce.cornell.edu/cayuga.
Renee Jensen is a program educator of environmental issues at Cornell Cooperative Extension of Cayuga County