05-02-2008, 08:16 PM
DNREC's Coastal Program Administrator, Sarah Cooksey, introduced Pilottown Marina as a certified Delaware Clean Marina at the recognition ceremony held today at the marina in Lewes. Robert Baldwin, Director of the Division of Soil and Water Conservation presented the Delaware Clean Marina certificate and flag to Pilottown Marina and praised the marina for its efforts to improve the cleanliness of Delaware's coastal waterways.
"By joining the Clean Marina program, Pilottown Marina has taken a leadership role in protecting the natural resources that provide their livelihood - clean water and fresh air," said Baldwin. "The Lewes-Rehoboth Canal has served as an important waterway to the Delaware Bay for generations of commercial fisherman and recreational boaters. With Pilottown Marina's new pollution control practices now in place, water quality in the canal will certainly improve."
Pilottown Marina, located on Pilottown Road on the Lewes-Rehoboth Canal in Lewes, is one of five Delaware marinas awarded cost-share funds from the Delaware Clean Marina Program. The funds, made possible by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service through DNREC's Division of Fish and Wildlife, were used by Pilottown Marina to purchase a new sewage pumpout system to replace their old deteriorating unit.
In addition to the new sewage pumpout system, Pilottown Marina maintains oil and gas clean-up material on site in case a spill occurs at the marina. The marina's Operations and Maintenance Plans were also updated to require boating patrons to follow strict marina guidelines regarding the maintenance of the vessels in the marina basin.
"We encourage other marinas across the state to join the wave of clean marina certifications, jump aboard and experience how becoming a Delaware Clean Marina will enhance their marina environment and improve their bottom line," said Cooksey.
The Clean Marina Program, a voluntary, incentive-based initiative, encourages marina operators and recreational boaters to protect coastal water quality by implementing environmentally-sound operating and maintenance procedures. By adopting pollution prevention measures, marinas improve water quality by reducing trash and harmful chemicals from entering waterways, while at the same time, reducing the costs associated with waste disposal and generating new sources of revenue for the marinas.
The Clean Marina Guidebook provides an overview of actions that marina operators can take to reduce pollution. Marinas participating in the program receive free technical assistance from the Clean Marina Committee and are eligible to participate in grant opportunities through the program. By adopting a significant portion of the best management practices suggested in the guidebook, including complying with all state and federal regulations, a marina can be certified as a Delaware Clean Marina.
The Delaware Clean Marian Program is a partnership between the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control and Delaware's Sea Grant Program, College of Marine Science, University of Delaware. For more information, contact Alex Hense, DNREC's Pollution Prevention Program at 302-739-9909 or Alex.Hense@state.de.us
"By joining the Clean Marina program, Pilottown Marina has taken a leadership role in protecting the natural resources that provide their livelihood - clean water and fresh air," said Baldwin. "The Lewes-Rehoboth Canal has served as an important waterway to the Delaware Bay for generations of commercial fisherman and recreational boaters. With Pilottown Marina's new pollution control practices now in place, water quality in the canal will certainly improve."
Pilottown Marina, located on Pilottown Road on the Lewes-Rehoboth Canal in Lewes, is one of five Delaware marinas awarded cost-share funds from the Delaware Clean Marina Program. The funds, made possible by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service through DNREC's Division of Fish and Wildlife, were used by Pilottown Marina to purchase a new sewage pumpout system to replace their old deteriorating unit.
In addition to the new sewage pumpout system, Pilottown Marina maintains oil and gas clean-up material on site in case a spill occurs at the marina. The marina's Operations and Maintenance Plans were also updated to require boating patrons to follow strict marina guidelines regarding the maintenance of the vessels in the marina basin.
"We encourage other marinas across the state to join the wave of clean marina certifications, jump aboard and experience how becoming a Delaware Clean Marina will enhance their marina environment and improve their bottom line," said Cooksey.
The Clean Marina Program, a voluntary, incentive-based initiative, encourages marina operators and recreational boaters to protect coastal water quality by implementing environmentally-sound operating and maintenance procedures. By adopting pollution prevention measures, marinas improve water quality by reducing trash and harmful chemicals from entering waterways, while at the same time, reducing the costs associated with waste disposal and generating new sources of revenue for the marinas.
The Clean Marina Guidebook provides an overview of actions that marina operators can take to reduce pollution. Marinas participating in the program receive free technical assistance from the Clean Marina Committee and are eligible to participate in grant opportunities through the program. By adopting a significant portion of the best management practices suggested in the guidebook, including complying with all state and federal regulations, a marina can be certified as a Delaware Clean Marina.
The Delaware Clean Marian Program is a partnership between the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control and Delaware's Sea Grant Program, College of Marine Science, University of Delaware. For more information, contact Alex Hense, DNREC's Pollution Prevention Program at 302-739-9909 or Alex.Hense@state.de.us