Maryland Certifies Another Clean Marina

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North East – The Maryland Department of Natural Resources recently certified the Shelter Cove Yacht Basin in North East (Cecil County) as the 93rd Maryland Clean Marina. Combined with 19 Clean Marina Partners, smaller boating facilities such as boat ramps and community piers, there are now 112 certified facilities in Maryland.

To become a certified Clean Marina, Shelter Cove’s owners, Cheryl and Woody Jackson, and staff dedicated themselves for several months to making improvements throughout their operation. For instance, the impact of storm water run-off from parking areas was addressed by adding oil-absorbents in key locations, and containment dikes were added around all above-ground fuel tanks for safety. The marina management also reviewed and expanded written emergency plans and increased staff training and outreach to customers.

The Department of Natural Resources’ Clean Marina Initiative promotes and celebrates voluntary adoption of measures to reduce pollution from recreational boating activities. Marinas, boatyards, and yacht clubs qualify for Clean Marina certification by adopting measures to control pollution associated with vessel maintenance and repair; petroleum storage and transfer; sewage disposal; solid, liquid and hazardous wastes; storm water runoff; and facilities management, as applicable.

The goal of the Clean Marina Initiative is to certify 25 percent of Maryland’s approximately 600 boating facilities as Clean Marinas or Clean Marina Partners. To date 103 (18 percent) have become certified. DNR estimates that over 35 percent of the commercial slips in MD are now at a Clean Marina.

For more details about the Maryland Clean Marina Initiative, call the Department of Natural Resources at (877) 620-8DNR, ext. 8770, or check DNR’s website at http://www.dnr.maryland.gov/boating.

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December 8, 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 18,000 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