Michigan Clean Marina Program provides certification update
The Michigan Clean Marina Program has announced six Michigan marinas have been named as Certified Clean Marinas.
They are: Grand Isle Marina – Grand Haven; Great Lakes Marina – Muskegon; South Haven Northside Marina – South Haven; South Haven Black River Park – South Haven; South Haven Southside Marina – South Haven; and Onekama Marine, Inc. – Onekama.
These marinas have been certified for a three-year term through 2021. Additionally, five marinas have been re-certified as Michigan Clean Marinas: Grosse Pointe Yacht Club – Grosse Pointe Shores; Windjammer Marina – Oden; Walstrom Marine – Harrison Township; Sundog Marina – Harrison Township; and Belle Maer Harbor – Harrison Township. These marinas have been re-certified for another five-year-term through 2023.
The Clean Marina Program was initiated to preserve and protect, through voluntary efforts, Michigan’s greatest resource, the Great Lakes and its connecting waterways. The certification process begins with a pledge to participate in the program, followed by a course with an overview of the designation process and a review of best management practices.
The facilities then conduct self-evaluations of their environmental practices to determine their strengths and weaknesses. After implementing improvements and reaching a level of competencies, the marina requests a visitation by a CMP consultant to evaluate the facility’s environmental stewardship. When the facility reaches established goals, they receive their designation.
“We welcome all six newly certified marinas to the Clean Marina Program, and we commend Grosse Pointe Yacht Club, Windjammer Marina, Walstrom Marine, Sundog Marina, and Belle Maer Harbor for being re-certified as Michigan Clean Marinas and for their continuation of following best practices,” said Nicki Polan, executive director of the Michigan Boating Industries Association. “More boaters are becoming aware of the program and are searching out these facilities as places they want to patronize.”
The Clean Marina designation is applicable for a three-year period, at which time the facility must be re-certified.
MBIA encourages all marinas to seek out this certification. “It is not difficult, and there are both financial and environmental gains that come with this effort,” said Polan said. Currently, Michigan has 64 Clean Marinas.
Nearly 60 percent of boaters surveyed by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources would prefer to go to a Certified Clean Marina over a non-certified.
The average survey respondent were males in the age range of 55-64 years old with household incomes of $100,000. The most popular boats amongst respondents were fishing boats, cruisers, and kayak/canoes/stand-ups.
The Michigan Clean Marina Program is a partner program between the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality, Michigan Sea Grant and Michigan Boating Industries Association.
