Clean Marina Grants Now Available Throughout Maryland
Grants offered for most areas of the state will cover 75 percent of pollution prevention items for marinas and boatyards
ANNAPOLIS, MD — The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Clean Marina Initiative is excited to announce the availability of $50,000 in cost-share grants to marinas, boatyards, and yacht clubs in Maryland’s Coastal Zone. The Coastal Zone includes all counties that border either the Chesapeake or coastal bays of Maryland.
The 75 percent cost-share grants will be used to fund pollution prevention equipment such as debris-collecting vacuum sanders, oil and antifreeze recycling stations, riparian buffer plantings to treat and minimize stormwater run-off, and oil-spill response kits. Other items will also be considered for funding.
The funding has been made available from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the project period runs from June 2004 through February 28, 2005. A map of Maryland’s Coastal Zone as well as grant applications and complete instructions are on the Department’s website at: www.dnr.maryland.gov/boating/cleanmarina. Information can also be obtained by calling 410-260-8773. The application deadline is Monday, May 31.
Consideration will be given to certified Clean Marinas and facilities that can become certified, with the aid of cost-share funds, by February 28, 2005. Uncertified facilities, which do not complete certification by the end of February 2005, will only be eligible for 60 percent cost-share reimbursement. Awards will be announced to the recipients in mid-June.
Cost-share grants for marinas are a strong way of motivating facilities to become Clean Marinas. Approximately 80 percent of marinas that have received similar grants in the past two years went on to become certified Clean Marinas.
The Clean Marina Initiative promotes and celebrates voluntary adoption of measures to reduce pollution from marinas, boatyards, yacht clubs, and recreational boats. The goal of the program is to certify 25 percent of Maryland’s 600 marinas as Clean Marinas by the end of 2004 and to avoid additional regulation of this industry. To date, 69 marinas have been certified as Clean Marinas. Another 15 much smaller boating facilities, such as public ramps, have been certified as Clean Marina Partners.
To achieve full standing as a Clean Marina, managers must implement measures to control pollution associated with vessel maintenance and repair; petroleum storage and transfer; sewage disposal; solid, liquid and hazardous wastes; stormwater runoff; and facilities management, as applicable.
Recognized Clean Marinas may use the Clean Marina logo in their advertising and on their letterhead. They receive a certificate signed by the Governor, Lt. Governor, and Secretary of DNR, a flag to fly from their facility, a page on the Clean Marina web site, and promotion in many Clean Marina publications.
Boaters are encouraged by the Department and the Marine Trades Association of Maryland to patronize Maryland Clean Marinas and Clean Marina Partners. For more details about the Maryland Clean Marina Initiative or clean boating practices, call DNR, toll-free in Maryland at (877) 620-8DNR, extension 8770 or visit www.dnr.maryland.gov/boating.
Posted May 19, 2004