Washington, D.C. to host National Clean Boating event
WASHINGTON D.C. – Washington, D.C. has been selected to host the National Clean Boating celebration in recognition of its successful Clean Marina Program, said Larry Innis, Marine Environmental Education Foundation president in a statement yesterday. The city will host a day-long event June 17 in honor of clean boating.
“The partnership of the District of Columbia and the National Park Service with the marinas and yacht clubs in the District is an outstanding national example of how a clean marina program can be organized,” Innis said.
The Washington D.C. department of environment and the National Park Service teamed up in 2001 to create the Clean Marina Initiative that encourages voluntary excellence by marinas, yacht clubs and boaters to help clean the Anacostia and Potomac waterways. Seven District marinas and yacht clubs have been recognized as Clean Marinas for their extra efforts to reduce contaminants from entering the waters from boating activities. MEEF has received Environmental Protection Agency grants through the district to guide the clean marina program’s development.
The district is one of 23 clean marina programs in the nation that accredit outstanding clean boating facilities. Of these, the district has 50 percent of its yacht clubs and marinas recognized as clean, with several more in the application process. An important part of the program involves educating boaters and the public as to what they can do to become stewards of the waterways.
Combining the district’s clean marina program with the annual National Clean Boating Celebration on June 17 will focus the district’s attention on what has been done and what can be done together and individually for clean boating.
From 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on June 17, James Creek Marina will host the clean boating event. Clean boating award presentations and exhibits will be open to the public with free parking nearby.
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