DNR Certifies Two New Clean Marinas On The West River

Annapolis, Md. (November 15, 2010) — Two facilities on the West River have recently joined the ranks of Maryland’s certified Clean Marinas. The Galesville Harbor Yacht Yard and the West River Yacht Harbour Condominium Association, including the West River Fuel Dock, worked simultaneously to meet the award criteria and become certified Clean Marinas. The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) oversees the Clean Marina Initiative, which is a voluntary program that promotes and celebrates efforts of marinas, boatyards and yacht clubs to reduce their pollution.

“We were really pleased to see these facilities working together to help protect the West River and, ultimately the Chesapeake,” said Donna Morrow, DNR’s Clean Marina Program Administrator. “Marinas and boatyards rely on healthy waterways, and these businesses opted to help theirs.”

Using the Maryland Clean Marina guidebook and checklist, both facilities identified areas where they could improve and took steps to do so. Galesville Harbor Yacht Yard installed two rain barrels to collect water that would otherwise run off the roof, across hot pavement, and directly into the West River. Instead, the water will cool off, and then be used to water landscaping. The Yacht Yard recycles shrink wrap, scrap metal, and used oil and batteries. Employees also filter the water used in washing boat bottoms before releasing it to the river.

“We were a little late in getting to this but I’m glad we took the time to become a Clean Marina,” said Galesville Harbor Yacht Yard General Manager Charlie Duvall. “Our customers have been 100 percent supportive. Helping the health of the Bay is proving to also be good for business.”

Staff from the West River Yacht Harbour Condominium Association put special containment around the oil recycling tank to prevent oil from getting into rain water and worked with slip owners on preventing illegal discharges.

“This certification illustrates what we’ve always been about — protecting the West River and the Bay,” said Michelle Walker, business manager of the Yacht Harbour. “We’re happy to be a part of the Clean Marina program.”

The West River Fuel Dock is run with care to prevent spills and monitor customers, and it maintains a spill response kit. The marina also has a both a fixed and a portable pump-out system to empty boat holding tanks.

“Clean Marina practices for the fuel dock are the simple, smart things all of us should do to protect our waters,” said Scott Hewitt, owner of the West River Fuel Dock. “I encourage others to join the program.”

Marinas, boatyards, and yacht clubs of any size in Maryland are encouraged to participate in the program. More information and free program materials are available by calling 410-260-8773 or visiting www.dnr.maryland.gov/boating/cleanmarina.

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR), which is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year, is the state agency responsible for providing natural and living resource-related services to citizens and visitors. DNR manages more than 461,000 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