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DNR Certifies New Clean Marinas In Anne Arundel and Wicomico Counties
Annapolis — The Department of Natural Resources recently certified Annapolis Yacht Club’s Sailing Center in Anne Arundel County as a Clean Marina and Nanticoke Harbor in Wicomico County as a Clean Marina Partner, bringing the total number of certified facilities in Maryland to 132.
“Certified clean marinas voluntarily green their operations to reduce pollution and help protect our rivers and the Chesapeake Bay,” said Governor Martin O’Malley. “Every Marylander has a responsibility to help reduce their impact on our waterways, and it’s very encouraging to see these local organizations taking the initiative to do their part.”
Annapolis Yacht Club’s Sailing Center houses an active fleet of racing sailboats located prominently on Spa Creek. To earn the Clean Marina award, the club installed rain barrels and container gardens throughout the property to reduce runoff, expanded solid waste recycling to the area, and installed a well-supplied emergency spill response kit. The club’s members also partnered with the Spa Creek Conservancy in maintaining a “living shoreline” that filters run-off from a stormwater outfall next to the Spa Creek drawbridge.
“Our members are completely behind the “greening” of our operations in as many ways as possible,” said Julie Winters, who chair’s club’s Environmental Committee. “Earning Clean Marina certification is just one part of our “green” agenda.”
Nanticoke Harbor is a quiet marina operated by Wicomico County Parks and Recreation, located on the lower Eastern Shore. It offers 70 slips, a pump-out station, and boat ramp for recreational boaters and watermen. To meet Clean Marina Partner criteria, staff collects fishing line for recycling, posted emergency response plans, and strictly controls any repair work that boat owners complete on trailered boats.
Harbormaster Greg Rickards said, “After certifying our larger marina last year, and it was very easy to implement the things we did there at our Nantikoke Harbor location. Wicomico County is proud to have both of our facilities certified as clean marinas and partners by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources.”
Marinas, boatyards, and yacht clubs of any size are encouraged to learn more about the voluntary Clean Marina Initiative. Marina operators may visit http://www.dnr.maryland.gov/boating/cleanmarina/, email dmorrow@dnr.state.md.us or call 410-260-8770 for more information on how they can get involved. In cooperation with federal agencies, DNR aims to certify at least 150 (25 percent) of Maryland’s estimated 600 recreational boating facilities as Clean Marinas or Partners.
Recreational boaters can also join efforts to protect Maryland’s waterways. Boaters are encouraged to visit the Clean Marina webpage (above) to learn how they can prevent pollution and to sign the Maryland Clean Boater Pledge.
September 11, 2008 Contact: Olivia Campbell
410-260-8016 office I 410-507-7525 cell
ocampbell@dnr.state.md.usMaryland 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 449,000 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 12 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.