FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:  November 14, 2003
CONTACT: Willie Puz, (561) 718-8736 

Local Marina Recognized For Environmental Commitment

-- Lighthouse Point Marina Turning Green --

LIGHTHOUSE POINT – The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), together with the Clean Boating Partnership, today recognized the Lighthouse Point Marina as the State’s 74th Clean Marina.

“Clean water is essential to the marine industry and our quality of life,” said DEP’s Southeast District Clean Marina Coordinator Paul Thompson. “By earning this designation, Lighthouse Point Marina has proven its commitment to the environment and to Florida’s growing economy.”

Located on the Intracoastal Waterway, the marina has been under renovation for the last three years to improve services and construct state-of-the-art facilities, including additional boat slips, a mobile pump-out system, upland restrooms, recreational areas and a swimming pool.

Over 2,000 marinas currently provide services to thousands of boaters using state waters daily. The effects of year-round boating activities contribute to constant and growing pressure on Florida’s sensitive aquatic and marine ecosystems. In response, the Clean Boating Partnership, which includes the DEP, 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.

Florida’s Clean Marinas go above and beyond required environmental regulations by adopting safeguards that keep solvents, sewage and fuel oil out of the water, while protecting manatees and other marine creatures.