Three More Michigan Marinas Make “Clean” Cut

More Michigan marinas are pledging to preserve and protect the environment through the state’s Clean Marina program. The Michigan Clean Marina Program has announced three new Certified Clean Marinas, as well as five marinas that have been re-certified. The three new Clean Marinas include: Fayette State Harbor in Fairbanks Township, East Tawas State Dock in East Tawas, and Pier 1000 Marina in Benton Harbor. Their certification will last for three years, until 2020.

“More boaters are becoming aware of the program and are searching out these facilities as places they want to patronize,” says Nicki Polan, executive director of the Michigan Boating Industries Association. “It is not difficult, and there are both financial and environmental gains that come with this effort.”

The Clean Marina program aims to protect Lake Michigan and its connecting waterways. Total, there are 54 certified marinas in the state. To earn certification, marinas must fill out a pledge, follow an online course, review best management practices, conduct environmental self-evaluations and implement improvements. A CMP consultant determines if the marina reaches its environmental goals and should be officially certified.

The marinas that have earned re-certification include: Milliken State Harbor in Detroit, Hammond Bay State Harbor in Millersburg, Straits State Harbor in Mackinaw City, Lexington State Dock in Lexington, and Cedar River State Harbor in Cedar River. These marinas have been recertified through 2022.

For more information, visit mbia.org.