FOR IMMEDIATE
RELEASE: October 4, 2001
Two Marinas Hoist "Clean Marina" Flag
--Marinas in Melbourne Vero Beach create vital links for migrating boaters--
ORLANDO – Today,
two busy marinas, Melbourne Harbor Marina and Vero Beach Municipal Marina,
became the ninth and tenth links in a chain of environmentally-friendly
marinas that stretch along Florida’s east coast. In ceremonies in
Melbourne and Vero Beach, DEP Central District Director Vivian Garfein
presented the honor then join in raising the Clean Marina flag.
Clean Marina
is a partnership between the Marine Industries Association and the Florida
Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). Clean Marinas adopt
safeguards that help keep solvents, sewage and fuel out of the water, while
protecting manatees and other creatures that live in the water. The
designation gives boaters recognizable, environmentally sound choices for
service and mooring.
"This is good
for the industry, good for boaters and good for the environment", said
Garfein. "With Clean Marina, boaters can apply what we call ‘pier
pressure’ on behalf of the environment. In turn, Melbourne Harbor Marina
and Vero Beach Municipal Marina can make a selling point of protecting the
environment."
Hundreds of
thousands of people enjoy Florida’s waters every day. Migrating caravans
of visiting boaters have begun annual treks. Residents and visitors are
served by nearly 2,000 marinas across Florida. "The link between this
industry and clean water is clear," said Garfein.
Any marina is
eligible to earn the Clean Marina designation. To earn it, marina
staff must attend a daylong workshop to learn the Clean Marina
requirements. Then they perform a self-audit of their marina and draw up
plans to implement the requirements of the program. Following this, they
contact the local district office of DEP to have an environmental survey
completed. To learn more, please visit the Clean
Marina Website.
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