Atlantic Marina Resort Earns Prestigious Clean Marina Award

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Annapolis – The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has certified the Atlantic Marina Resort in Pasadena (Anne Arundel County) as the 94th Clean Marina in Maryland. Maryland marinas and boatyards continue to demonstrate strong interest in earning the prestigious Clean Marina Award, which recognizes voluntary efforts to reduce pollution in marinas. Combined with 19 Clean Marina Partners (much smaller facilities such as public boat ramps), Maryland now boasts 113 certified clean facilities and is a leader in Clean Marina program participation nationwide.

Atlantic Marina Resort is a large facility with a working boatyard, dry stack storage, and a fuel dock. The marina implemented many best management practices to minimize the impact of these activities, such as creating a covered storage area where used batteries and waste oil are collected for recycling. Additionally, they created a thorough spill prevention and countermeasure plan to address the risks of above-ground fuel storage and handling.

“It was a delight working with owners, managers and staff dedicated to finding solutions,” said Clean Marina Program Coordinator Donna Morrow. “We applaud their efforts to voluntarily protect the waterways that so many boaters enjoy.”

Additionally, Bohemia Bay Yacht Harbour in Chesapeake City (Cecil County) signed the Clean Marina Pledge December 16, demonstrating their commitment to seek Clean Marina certification within a year. Signing the Pledge is the first step in the certification process and opens the door for the marina manager to work with Clean Marina staff in finding the best management practices that will fit their unique operation.

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 at least 25 percent of Maryland’s estimated 600 boating facilities as Clean Marinas or Clean Marina Partners and to prevent possible further federal regulation of the industry. Currently over 18 percent are certified. Of the 194 marinas that took the first step and signed a Clean Marina Pledge, 94 are now certified as Clean Marinas and 19 are certified as Clean Marina Partners. All marinas, boatyards, and yacht clubs are encouraged to participate.

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 www.dnr.maryland.gov/boating.

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December 29, 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