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Three new sites certified as North Carolina Clean Marinas
Story Date: 7/20/2012
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Source: NCDENR, 7/19/12
Three coastal marinas have recently been certified as North Carolina Clean Marinas, bringing the total number of Clean Marinas in coastal North Carolina to 28. Clean Marina is a designation given to marinas that go beyond the state’s environmental regulations.
The Coinjock Marina in Coinjock; the Boathouse in Beaufort; and Harbor Oaks Boataminium in Carolina Beach earned the status as North Carolina Clean Marinas.
The Clean Marina program illustrates how marina operators can help safeguard the environment by using management and operation techniques that exceed environmental requirements. To earn the certification, the marina’s owners prepare spill prevention plans and conduct safety and emergency planning. Marina operators also control boat maintenance activities to protect water quality. Marinas must complete the recertification process every two years to retain their certification as a North Carolina Clean Marina.
N.C. Clean Marina is a voluntary program that began in the summer of 2000. Marina operators who choose to participate must complete an evaluation form about their use of specific best management practices. If a marina meets criteria developed by the N.C. Division of Coastal Management, it will be designated as a Clean Marina. Such marinas are eligible to fly the Clean Marina flag and use the logo in their advertising. The flags signal to boaters that a marina cares about the cleanliness of area waterways.
Clean Marina is a nationwide program developed by the National Marine Environmental Education Foundation, a nonprofit organization that works to clean up waterways for better recreational boating. The foundation encourages states to adapt Clean Marina principles to fit their own needs.
The North Carolina program is a partnership between the N.C. Division of Coastal Management, N.C. Boating Industry Services, the N.C. Marine Trade Association, the Albemarle-Pamlico National Estuary Program, N.C. Sea Grant, the U.S. Power Squadron, U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary and N.C. Big Sweep.
For more information, contact Pat Durrett with the N.C. Division of Coastal Management at 252-808-2808.
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