To be a responsible boater, you need to consider all aspects of your impact on the water, whether it’s in relation to another boater or to the environment itself. You may not realize it, but boaters, and other water recreation activities, have an impact on aquatic ecosystems. From nonpoint source pollution to shoreline erosion caused by wakes, our educational guides explain many ways in which boats have a negative impact on the waterways. As responsible boaters, it is important to keep these ecosystems healthy for future generations to enjoy, so join us in learning how boaters can take a variety of actions to minimize their negative environmental impact while boating.