Free Maryland Clean Marina Workshops This Month

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January 2007 — The Department of Natural Resources, along with the Marine Trades Association of Maryland, are hosting Clean Marina workshops in January. The workshops are designed to introduce the Maryland Clean Marina Initiative to operators of marinas, boatyards, and yacht clubs. Boating facilities of all sizes and types are welcome to participate.

Dates and locations:

• January 9th Chestertown, Imperial House
• January 11th Baltimore, Anchorage Marina
• January 17th Annapolis, Eastport Yacht Club

During these workshops, Clean Marina Program staff will explain the structure of the program, review key chapters of the Clean Marina Guidebook, and discuss how to become certified as a Maryland Clean Marina. There is no charge for the workshops but advance registration is requested as space is limited at all locations. All workshops run from 10am to 1pm.

The workshops are intended to encourage marinas, boatyards, and yacht clubs to seek certification. Free program materials including a Maryland Clean Marina Guidebook, staff training materials, and boater education items will be available.

An operator of a Clean Marina will also be invited to discuss exactly what he or she did to earn the Clean Marina Award. A brief tour of a certified Clean Marina may be included. To learn more about the Maryland Clean Marina Program and to register for a workshop please visit http://www.dnr.state.md.us/boating/cleanmarina/.

The Maryland Clean Marina Initiative promotes and celebrates the voluntary adoption of best management practices to prevent pollution by marinas, boatyards, and recreational boaters. The goal of the program is to certify at least 25 percent of Maryland’s estimated 600 marinas as Clean Marinas or Clean Marina Partners (small facilities such as boat ramps or community piers). To date just over 19 percent (117 facilities) have been certified.

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January 8, 2007

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