Clean Marina Program adopted in Washington State

SEATTLE – Seattle’s Elliott Bay Marina was declared Washington State’s first-ever Clean Marina at a celebration on Saturday, August 13 at the marina, reported the Northwest Marine Trade Association in a recent statement.

The award honors the marina’s 10-year history as an environmentally responsible marina. A Clean Marina designation indicates that a marina is in compliance with environmental regulations, has voluntarily adopted additional environmental practices and has passed an extensive certification inspection by a county hazardous waste investigator. In Washington, a Clean Marina certification indicates that the facility has also been certified as an EnviroStars business.

The EnviroStars program, an incentive-based pollution prevention certification program administered by County governments, rewards businesses that take voluntary steps to reduce pollution, with particular focus on hazardous waste management and reduction. Marinas are motivated for the award in order to become better stewards of the waters, and by the prestige of being recognized as an environmentally responsible business.

Washington will follow 21 other states that have Clean Marina programs in place.

“The Clean Marina program represents a 3-way partnership between the recreational boating industry, non-profit environmental advocates, and government, in order to safeguard our waters and shoreline environment,” said Michael Campbell, NMTA president.

In addition to NMTA, Puget Soundkeeper Alliance, a Seattle-based environmental group, and the EnviroStars Cooperative, which represents hazardous waste management programs in 5 western Washington counties, are key players in the Clean Marina partnership.

Along with Elliott Bay Marina, the Clean Marina partnership also recognizes Bell Harbor Marina, Harbor, Island Marina, Shilshole Bay Marina, Stimson Marina, Port of Blaine Marina, Brownsville Marina, Breakwater Marina, Chinook Landing Marina, Dock Street Marina, Foss Landing Marina & Boat Storage, and Foss Waterway Marina, as EnviroStars-Certified Clean Marinas.

The group is currently exploring ways to implement the program statewide.

“We know what the program looks like, the next step is to find an appropriate agency to administer the program on a state level, so that we can reach marinas outside of the EnviroStars service area,” said Chris Wilke of Puget Soundkeeper Alliance, which is spearheading a campaign to reach every marina in both King and Kitsap Counties. The Alliance’s project is funded in part by grants from the Department of Ecology and King County SPLASH.

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