FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:  December 15, 2003
CONTACT: Jill Johnson, DEP (904) 245-3206
                    Bill Dougherty, U.S. Navy, (904) 542-4032

Northeast Florida Welcomes U.S. Military Clean Marina

--DEP recognizes NAS Jacksonville’s Mulberry Cove Marina for 
environmental commitment--

JACKSONVILLE – The Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), together with the Clean Boating Partnership, joined the United States Navy today to designate Mulberry Cove Marina as Clean Marina. Naval Air Station (NAS) Jacksonville’s Mulberry Cove Marina is the State’s 75th Clean Marina and Northeast’s Florida’s first military facility to receive designation in recognition of their environmental commitment.

“This is another fine example of Florida’s strong partnership with the U.S. military,” said DEP Northeast District Director Mario Taylor. “It is only fitting that Mulberry Cove receive this honor -- collaboration with NAS Jacksonville has consistently led to better environmental protection using common-sense solutions to prevent pollution.”

Military installations around the state are partnering with DEP to achieve ecological protection and environmental compliance, while at the same time meeting all national security requirements. Other designated marinas include Patrick Air Force Base’s Manatee Cove Marina and the Boca Chica Marina at Naval Air Station Key West, which was the first federal facility in the state to achieve designation.

"It is an honor to be recognized as a Clean Marina,” said NAS Jacksonville's Commanding Officer, Captain Mark S. Boensel. "It is a great visible tribute to the hard work and dedication of our environmental and recreation departments. It is also a superb illustration of the type of positive results that come from partnering with DEP and all the other organizations that, like us, are committed to being good stewards of the environment."

Over 2,000 marinas currently provide services to thousands of boaters enjoying Florida’s waterways each day. The Clean Boating Partnership, which includes the Department of Environmental Protection, Marine Industries Association of Florida, Florida Sea Grant Program, United States Coast Guard and Coast Guard Auxiliary, developed the Clean Marina Program to help marinas, boatyards and boaters protect Florida’s waterways using simple environmental practices that prevent pollution.

By educating boaters and improving operations at marine facilities, Florida’s Clean Marinas are helping to ensure a sustainable future for the environment, for boaters and for the billion-dollar marine industry.