| How this program came to be...
In 2000, a broad partnership of organizations began a water quality
monitoring program in the Kenai River. After several years of testing
it was apparent that the Kenai River exceeded hydrocarbon levels
allowable by state law by over 50% on certain days in July. A simple
equation told us that over 10,000 gallons of gasoline was entering
the river during the summer. After continued study, it was clear
that the majority of this gasoline was being emitted from inefficient
boat motors.
The Kenaitze Indian Tribe worked in partnership with the Kenai
Watershed Forum, Alaska Department of Natural Resources, the Kenai
River Special Management Area Board and other individuals from the
borough and around the peninsula to apply for grant funding to protect
the river. The Tribe worked with these partners to write a grant,
which was funded by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
for the Targeted Watershed program. This grant is a three-year project
which includes the boat motor buy-back program, water quality testing,
and a river bank erosion study
Why buy back motors?
The Kenai River is an integral part of the Kenaitze Tribe’s
subsistence economy, history, and culture. This river is home to
at least 37 species of fish, including 4 of the 5 species of Pacific
Salmon. This is a conservation effort to reduce known water pollution
in the Kenai River, by reducing the number of high emission two-stroke
motors.
In 1990 a provision was added to the Clean Air Act authorizing
the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to regulate non-road vehicles,
including marine outboard motors. The “Final Rule” of
these provisions, mandate a hydrocarbon emission reduction of 75%
by 2006 on all new outboard motors. The marine industry has already
exceeded these standards in the development of new low emissions
engines. It is our goal to offer incentives to adopt this new technology.
The Specifics
- There are 200 vouchers available, at $500 each.
- Local dealers may offer additional incentives.
- The Kenai Watershed Forum will hold the vouchers and set up
specific times and places for the exchange, where you can drop
off the old motor and pick up your $500 voucher.
- All motors must meet the guidelines below.
Guidelines
Old Motors:
- Old motors must be 2-stroke motors in working condition and
KWF and Kenaitze Tribe reserve the right to inspect the motor
or ask to see the motor in use.
- Old motors must be between 20 – 50 horse power engines,
and legal for Kenai River use.
- The intent of this program is to replace the older, pollution-causing
motors on the Kenai River. Therefore, persons exchanging motors
will be asked to provide proof of the boat and motor on the Kenai
River, such as; fishing license or king stamps from past year(s),
photos, and a signed statement.
New Motors:
- The new motor may be new or used, but must meet 2006 EPA emission
standards. All new motors manufactured after 2006 meet this standard.
Used motors manufactured prior to 2006 may meet this standard,
check with KWF or Brenda Trefon for a list. (Hint: look for a
CARB label)
- The voucher must be used to purchase a 20-50 horse power motor.
- The voucher can be used toward the purchase of a pre-owned
motor from a person outside a dealership if arrangements are made
with the seller to receive a voucher (no cash will be issued).
These motors must display the serial number.
- We will have a list of local dealerships in Kenai and Soldotna
pre-approved to receive the vouchers, for your convenience.
- Limit 1 motor voucher per household.
- Buy back motors must display a decal which will be provided
with your voucher.
What happens to the old 2-stroke motors?
The old motors will be dismantled and shipped out for recycling.
Materials recovered from two-stroke marine engines include aluminum
(80.9%), steel (10.1%), copper (5.2%), and plastic (3.8%) [2004,
EPA Region 2, “Recycling of Two-Stroke Marine Engines”,
by Jennifer Lynch and Thomas Nosker.)
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