Wells Cove Marina Signs DNR’s Clean Marina Pledge

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ANNAPOLIS— Wells Cove Marina in Grasonville (Queen Anne’s County) is the most recent marine facility to pledge to take measures protecting Maryland’s waterways and to seek certification as a Maryland Clean Marina in the coming year. By signing the Clean Marina Pledge, marina manager Robin Robbins has committed to do her part to “keep Maryland’s waterways free of harmful chemicals, excess nutrients and debris.” A total of 86 boating facilities have now taken the Clean Marina Pledge.

Signing the Clean Marina Pledge is the first step toward receiving recognition as an environmentally responsible marina through the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Maryland Clean Marina Initiative. The initiative promotes and celebrates voluntary adoption of measures to reduce pollution from marinas, boatyards, yacht clubs and recreational boats. 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 flag to fly from their facility, a page on the Clean Marina web site, and promotion in Clean Marina publications. The goal of the program is to certify 25 percent of Maryland’s 600 marinas as Clean Marinas and to prevent further regulation of the industry by federal agencies. To date, 102 marine facilities have been certified as Clean Marinas or Clean Marina Partners (small facilities such as public ramps or maritime museums). Boaters are encouraged by DNR to patronize Maryland Clean Marinas and Clean Marina Partners.

For more details about the Clean Marina Initiative or to order free pollution prevention materials for boaters, call DNR toll-free in Maryland at (877) 620-8DNR, ex. 8770 or visit www.dnr.maryland.gov/boating

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March 2, 2005

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is the state agency responsible for providing natural and living resource-related services to citizens and visitors. DNR manages more than 446,000 acres of public lands and 17,000 miles of waterways, along with Maryland's forests, fisheries and wildlife for maximum environmental, economic and quality of life benefits. A national leader in land conservation, DNR-managed parks and natural, historic and cultural resources attract 11 million visitors annually. DNR is the lead agency in Maryland's effort to restore the Chesapeake Bay, the state's number one environmental priority. Learn more at www.dnr.maryland.gov