Sandy Point State Park & Oak Harbor Sign Clean Marina Pledge

Sandy Point State Park Marina and Oak Harbor Marina (Anne Arundel County) are both striving to protect the resource that supports the recreational boating industry in Maryland: clean water. By signing the Clean Marina Pledge, Sandy Point State Park Marina managers Clayton Culp and John Payne and Oak Harbor Marina owner Ken Broman have committed to do their part to "keep Maryland's waterways free of harmful chemicals, excess nutrients and debris." Eighty-nine boating facilities in Maryland have taken the Clean Marina Pledge.

Signing the Clean Marina Pledge is the first step toward receiving recognition as an environmentally-responsible marina through the Department of Natural Resources' Maryland Clean Marina Initiative. This year and a half-old initiative promotes and celebrates voluntary adoption of measures to reduce pollution from marinas, boatyards, yacht clubs and recreational boats. To achieve full standing as a Clean Marina, managers must implement measures to control pollution associated with vessel maintenance and repair; petroleum storage and transfer; sewage disposal; solid, liquid and hazardous wastes; storm water runoff; and facilities management.

Recognized Clean Marinas may use the Clean Marina logo in their advertising and on their letterhead. They receive a flag to fly from their facility, a page on the Clean Marina web site, and promotion in Clean Marina publications. The goal of the program is to certify 25 percent of Maryland's 600 marinas as Clean Marinas by 2004. To date, 17 marinas have been certified as Clean Marinas. Boaters are encouraged to patronize Maryland Clean Marinas.

Posted: 7-26-2000