Boater Waste Education Campaign

Summary

The project involves the development of social marketing messages suitable for, but not limited to, personal communications via presentations and exhibits, print, billboard, and Internet use. GBF focuses on communicating the message directly to boaters and marinas. This has been achieved by contacting marinas to arrange special events, presentations, and/or exhibits where boaters will be exposed to the campaign message. The campaign emphasizes 1) environmental harm caused by raw sewage and 2) how boaters can properly dispose of their waste. As part of the initiative, boaters and marinas have been encouraged to join the Clean Texas Marina and Clean Boater Programs. Marinas have also been encouraged to seek funding through the Clean Vessel Act Program to construct, renovate, or replace pump-out stations. Outreach programs have proved to be effective in the past, but there is a need for a strong campaign in the Clear Lake area to reach new boaters and reawaken awareness of the issue. GBF has overseen the development and distribution of the message with the advice of a workgroup comprised of, but not limited to, stakeholders from Galveston Bay Estuary Program (GBEP), Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, Clean Texas Marina Program, Clear Lake Marina Association, and environmental nonprofit organizations.