St. Michaels Marina in Talbot County is the 34th marina in Maryland to earn the prestigious Clean Marina Award. The Clean Marina designation indicates that St. Michaels Marina has satisfied 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).
"The harbor is what draws people to St. Michaels," said Steve Kilmon, marina manager. "We are happy to do our part to protect the beauty of this area." The marina has about 50 slips and caters to transient boaters visiting the picturesque village of St. Michaels. The daily influx of new customers presents a special challenge. Each new guest must be introduced to the marina's pollution prevention practices. To meet this need, Kilmon incorporated environmental rules into the slip agreement. For example, guests are asked to recycle cans and glass, refrain from discarding fish scraps into the harbor, and to clean up after their dogs. Also, he asks all fuel customers to use an oil absorbent pad or a "no-spill" jug to capture any accidental spills before they hit the water.
"Certified Clean Marinas have something to teach all of us," said Clean Marina Coordinator, Elizabeth Fuller Valentine. "St. Michaels Marina and the other marinas exemplify the conservation ethic by accepting individual responsibility for healthy land and water. They are also demonstrating that business and environmental interests can be compatible." CMI promotes and celebrates voluntary adoption of measures to reduce pollution from marinas, boatyards, yacht clubs, and recreational boats.
Each of the 34 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, 122 entities have taken the pledge. There are approximately 600 boating facilities in Maryland and the CMI's goal is to certify 150 of those as Clean Marinas or Clean Marina Partners by 2004. The Clean Marina Partner designation was created to recognize boating facilities other than marinas, boatyards, and yacht clubs that are implementing pollution prevention measures.
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: 6-14-2001
