PHOTO COURTESY OF MICHIGAN CLEAN MARINA
The Michigan Clean Marina Program has certified three additional Michigan marinas — Hartshorn Municipal Marina, Muskegon; Island Cove Marina, Harrison Township; and SkipperBuds – Lake Fenton have gained the distinguished certification. In addition, six marinas have been recertified for the next five years: Eagle Pointe Harbor, St. Joseph; Grosse Pointe Shores Municipal Harbor; North Star Sail Club, Harrison Township; Pentwater Municipal, Pentwater; Ryde Marine, Alanson; and SkipperBuds – Cass Lake, Waterford.
“Marinas like these and the many others who participate in this disciplined program show they are aware of and practice good environmental and business stewardship practices” says Mark Breederland, Michigan Sea Grant extension educator and chair of the Michigan Clean Marina Foundation Board. “The program is a win-win by implementing and certifying on-the-dock practices to minimize potential pollution and encouraging boaters to also take good care of the water and within the marina.”
Currently, 101 Michigan marinas have obtained and maintain their status as a clean marina. As part of the program, marinas pledge to maintain and improve Michigan’s waterways by reducing or eliminating releases of harmful substances and phasing out practices that can damage aquatic environments. Training and certification criteria address topics like siting considerations, marina design and management, stormwater management, boat maintenance and repair, petroleum control, aquatic invasive species, sewage handling, waste containment, disposal and recycling, and laws and regulations.
“We welcome Hartshorn Municipal Marina, Island Cove Marina and SkipperBuds – Lake Fenton to the Clean Marina Program, and we commend Eagle Pointe Harbor, Grosse Pointe Municipal Harbor, North Star Sail Club, Pentwater Municipal, Ryde Marine and SkipperBuds – Cass Lake for their continuation of following best practices,” says 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.”
To learn more, visit michiganseagrant.org.
