Worcester County’s Pocomoke River State Forest and Park in Snow Hill and Garrett County’s Deep Creek Recreation Area in Swanton are, respectively, the eighth and nineth State facilities to be named Maryland Clean Marina Partners. The Clean Marina Partner designation indicates that the park managers minimize pollution from their facilities and actively promote clean boating habits.
Visitors are drawn to these two parks at opposite ends of the State to enjoy the natural beauty of the areas and an array of outdoor activities including camping, hiking, swimming, fishing, and boating. In order to maintain the natural resources that draw people to the parks, managers have incorporated pollution prevention measures into their daily operations. For instance, at the Shad Landing marina and boat launch located within Pocomoke River State Forest and Park, all fuel customers are asked to capture incidental spills with oil absorbent pads and are instructed not to discharge any treated or untreated sewage. At the State boat ramp on Deep Creek Lake, visitors deposit their launch fees in self-serve envelopes. The portion of the envelope that a boater retains as his or her receipt is printed with clean boating tips. Signs and posters also encourage boaters to minimize pollution. For instance:
- Do not let trash get thrown or blown overboard.
- Fuel expands as it warms up. To avoid spills, therefore, fill tanks to no greater than 90 percent capacity.
- Wash your boat with a sponge and plain water. When detergents are absolutely necessary, select phosphate-free, biodegradable, nontoxic products and use them sparingly.
“The Department of Natural Resources is committed to environmentally responsible management,” said DNR Secretary J. Charles Fox. “We have an obligation to lead by example. After all, our mission is to inspire people to enjoy and live in harmony with their environment and to protect what makes Maryland unique.”
The Department of Natural Resources’ Maryland Clean Marina Initiative promotes voluntary adoption of measures to reduce pollution from recreational boating. Operators of 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, stormwater runoff, and facilities management. The Clean Marina Partner designation was created to recognize smaller boating facilities that are implementing pollution prevention measures and promoting clean boating habits.
The goal of the Clean Marina Initiative is to certify 25 percent of Maryland’s 600 boating facilities as Clean Marinas or Clean Marina Partners by 2004. To date, 150 boating facilities have taken the first step and signed the Clean Marina Pledge. Of these, 47 have been certified as Clean Marinas and 11 have been certified as Clean Marina Partners.
For more details about the Maryland Clean Marina Initiative or to order free pollution prevention materials for boaters, call DNR, (877) 620-8DNR, extension 8770 or visit www.dnr.state.md.us/boating.
Posted: 8-15-2002
