R.I. trade association offers best practices presentation
PORTSMOUTH, RI. – Rhode Island Governor Donald Carcieri and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) New England Regional Administrator Robert Varney lent their support to marina operators at the R.I. Marines Trade Association’s “Best Management Practices Demonstration Day and Workshop” at Hinckley Yacht Services in Portsmouth, R.I. on June 21.
Both Governor Carcieri and Administrator Varney took part in hands-on demonstrations of professional marina operations designed to protect the environment, according to a recent statement from the trade association.
The presentations and demonstrations of best practices for marinas included hazardous waste management, oil spill prevention control, emergency planning and everyday maintenance and operation.
“Everyone has a role in keeping Rhode Island’s waters clean and that includes the state’s marina industry which services tens of thousands of boats in the Ocean State each year,” said Varney. “From recycling shrinkwrap to capturing storm water, EPA is committed to working closely with the marina sector to minimize the environmental impacts these facilities have on Rhode Island’s coastal waters.”
Governor Carcieri and Administrator Varney were keynote speakers at a luncheon along with R.I. Department of Environmental Management director Fred Vincent, and Michael Tikoian, chair of the R.I. Coastal Resources Management Council. They took part in a question-and-answer session with the participants, and then participated in a hands-on demonstration of some of the featured best practices.
“We’re pleased and proud to see that Governor Carcieri and Administrator Varney are aware of how marina operators are trying to do things the right way in their day-to-day operations. They know that the people involved in such an important industry also have a commitment to protecting one of the state’s most precious resources, Narragansett Bay.” said RIMTA President Ken Kubic.
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