FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: November 5, 2001
Barefoot Boat Club
--First ‘Clean Marina’ in Southwest Florida--
FORT MYERS - The
Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), the Marine Industries
Association of Collier County, and Florida Sea Grant formally presented ‘Clean
Marina’ designation to Barefoot Boat Club today (11-05-01) with the
presentation of a plaque and flag. The 'Clean Marina' flag is the first to
fly over the six county Southwest Florida area.
"Bonita Boat Club should be
commended for their commitment to Florida's natural resources," said,
Richard Cantrell, DEP's district director. "Their innovation and
dedication toward achieving this 'Clean Marina' designation makes them one
of the leaders in the marine industry."
Barefoot Boat Club is the first in
Southwest Florida and 22nd
in the state to receive this designation. A comprehensive storm water
management system, installation of a water filtration system to manage
wastewater from boat cleaning and PVC dock construction are some of the
'marina environmental measure' implemented by the developer, Boat Clubs
America.
“The Clean Marina Program has
brought to us a greater knowledge of the science behind the elements of the
environmental laws and building codes. It took a little courage to call the
DEP and invite them onto the property for constructive criticism - but once
we got into the program, we found that it was not nearly as intimidating as
we had imagined. The program materials are thorough, informative, and
manageable. All marinas need to consider volunteering into the Clean Marina
Program, " said, Ed Ruff, developer.
Barefoot Boat Club's management is
also committed to operating according to this industry focused set of
environmental management practices and provides continuing environmental
education opportunities for its boaters which actually own the marina.
With nearly 2,000 marinas operating
in Florida today and hundreds of thousands of boater’s using Florida’s
waterways, the effects of year-round boating activities contribute to
constant and growing pressure on the state’s fragile aquatic and marine
ecosystems. The Clean Boating Partnership developed and implements this
voluntary program to promote awareness and involvement in water quality
protection. The group is a partnership of industry, government and
educational institutions that provides industry expertise and peer
assistance to marinas not only in complying with the regulations but going
beyond compliance to protect Florida’s waterways.
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