Coltons Point Marina Is A Certified Clean Marina

Coltons Point Marina in St. Mary's County is the twenty-fifth marina in the state to be certified as an environmentally-responsible Maryland Clean Marina. The Clean Marina designation indicates that Coltons Point Marina has met the rigorous pollution prevention standards established by Maryland's Clean Marina Committee and the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) as part of the agency's Clean Marina Initiative (CMI).

To minimize the chance of a fuel spill, Coltons Point has double-walled, above ground fuel tanks, equipped with emergency shut-off valves at the tanks, fuel dock, and in the office. To prevent even small spills, Manager Clark Lutz keeps a specially-designed plastic jug at the fuel dock to catch overflows from vessel vent fittings. And if there is ever a fuel spill at Coltons Point Marina or any neighboring facility, Lutz is ready; he maintains a roomful of response equipment including booms and oil absorbent pads.

"We have been working toward Clean Marina certification since we have had new owners, about two years," said Mr. Lutz. "Over that time, our entire staff and clientele have become more environmentally-conscious. For example, in the past we didn't give a second thought to how we pressure wash boats. Now, all power washing is done over filter cloths and we turn down the pressure when we are cleaning a hull painted with "soft" paint to prevent washing excess copper (the pesticide used in bottom paint) into the creek."

CMI promotes and celebrates voluntary adoption of measures to reduce pollution from marinas and recreational boats. "Certified Clean Marinas have something to teach all of us," said Clean Marina

Coordinator Elizabeth Fuller Valentine. "Coltons Point and the other marinas embody the conservation ethic which centers on individual responsibility for healthy land and water. Just as importantly, these marinas are demonstrating that business interests can be compatible with environmental protection."

Each of the 25 Clean Marinas has implemented measures to control pollution associated with vessel maintenance and repair; petroleum storage and transfer; sewage disposal; solid, liquid and hazardous wastes; stormwater runoff; and facilities management.

Recognized Clean Marinas may use the Clean Marina logo in their advertising and on their letterhead. They also receive a flag to fly from their facility, a page on the Clean Marina web site (www.dnr.state.md.us/boating), and promotion in Clean Marina publications.

Signing the Clean Marina pledge is the first step toward receiving recognition as an environmentally-responsible marina. So far, 107 marinas have taken the pledge. The initiative's organizers hope to convert all those pledges into Clean Marina certifications. There are approximately 600 marinas in Maryland and the CMI's goal is to certify 150 of those as Clean Marinas by 2004.

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.state.md.us/boating.

Posted: 2-1-2001