Maryland adds to its Clean Marinas program

ANNAPOLIS, Md. – The state of Maryland has added 15 more marinas and yacht clubs to its list of marinas certified under a program aimed at reducing the impact of boating on pollution in the Chesapeake Bay, according to an Associated Press story yesterday.

But in the six years since the Clean Marinas Initiative was started, only about 17 percent of more than 600 marinas have complied with the anti-pollution regulations. The goal for the end of this year was 25 percent, Donna Morrow, administrative officer for the program in the Department of Natural Resources told the AP.

Maryland Gov. Bob Ehrlich, who presented the citations at a ceremony at Eastport Yacht Club in Annapolis, was quoted in the story as saying 17 percent is not enough, but “we are on the right trend line.”

“I understand it’s not easy. I understand it’s expensive,” he said. “I also understand there is only one Chesapeake Bay.”

Ehrlich told the Associated Press the Clean Marinas Initiative is an important part of the overall state campaign to clean up the bay along with efforts to reduce pollution from sewage treatment plants and reduce the amount of phosphorus and nitrogen that washes off of farm fields and lawns into bay waters.

He also warned that unless more is done to reduce pollution, “this bay is going to be on a downward trend over the long haul.”

The Eastport Yacht Club, across Spa Creek from downtown Annapolis, was one of the newly certified marinas honored at the luncheon.

The list of newly certified marinas included three in the Annapolis area – Eastport, Whitehall Yacht Yard and Saefern Saddle and Yacht Club – along with Advanced Marina and Bahia Marina in Ocean City, according to the story.

Also on the list were Chesapeake Yachting Center, Middle River; Corinthian Yacht Club, Ridge; Greenbrier State Park, Boonsboro; Hartge Yacht Yard, Galesville; Skipjack Cove Yachting Resort, Georgetown; Taylor’s Marina, Elkton; Ventnor Marine, Pasadena; Wharf at Handy’s Point, Worton, and Worton Creek Marina, Chestertown.

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