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CAPE HAZE – The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), together with the Clean Boating Partnership, today recognized Palm Island Marina as Charlotte County’s first Clean Marina.
“As the first Clean Marina in Charlotte County, Palm Island Marina's commitment sets an example for local boaters and marine facilities,” said DEP South District Director Jon Iglehart. “Clean Marinas protect Florida’s waterways and preserve the state’s natural resources for future generations.”
For its Clean Marina designation, Palm Island Marina went above and beyond required environmental regulations by reducing water use and installing water protection procedures for boat cleaning. The marina also offers pump-out facilities that remove sewage from vessel holding tanks and discharges the waste into a collection system.
“Palm Island Marina is taking the initiative to safeguard Florida’s marine resources by encouraging environmentally-safe practices,” said DEP Division of Law Enforcement Assistant Director Maury Kolchakian. “By providing ‘green’ facilities for patrons the marina promotes protective measures for the state’s waterways.”
With more than one million registered motorized vessels in Florida, environmental education within marine industries is the first step towards safeguarding the state’s natural resources. The Clean Boating Partnership, which includes the Florida 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, Clean Boatyard, Clean Retailer and Clean Boater Programs to protect Florida’s waterways. By providing ‘green’ education and alternatives, the Clean Boating Partnership helps ensure a sustainable future for the environment and the billion-dollar marine industry.
“We congratulate Florida’s newest Clean Marina for its achievement in earning this designation,” said Co-Chair of the Clean Boating Partnership Brad St. Coeur. “Its dedication to clean water is to be commended and we welcome the marina to the program.”
For more information about the Clean Boating Partnership, visit
http://www.dep.state.fl.us/law/grants/cmp.
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