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TARPON SPRINGS – The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), together with the
Clean Boating Partnership, today recognized Belle Harbour Marina as a designated member of the Florida Clean Marina Program. Located in Pinellas County, the
facility is the 168th designated Clean Marina in the state and the 20th in the county.
“Florida has more than 2,000 marinas, and facilities such as the Belle Harbour Marina play an important role in the protection of
our waterways and marine resources,” said Deborah Getzoff, Director of DEP’s Southwest District Office. “This marina has taken the
initiative to preserve the state’s natural resources and lead the boating industry by example.”
Florida Clean Marina Program facilities are required to meet a variety of best management practices to receive designation. These
practices include, but are not limited to, properly storing and disposing of used oil, using fertilizers and pesticides according
to directions and using cleaning methods that prevent the release of pollutants.
“Belle Harbour Marina staff contributed lots of hard work to achieve this designation,” said Belle Harbour Marina Manager Steve
Turner. “The staff was very instrumental in educating boaters of clean boating practices.”
The Clean Boating Partnership is a consortium of industry leaders who contribute time and input to the Clean Marina, Clean
Boatyard, Clean Marine Retailer and Clean Boater programs, which DEP administers, to protect Florida’s waterways. The partnership
includes DEP, Marine Industries Association of Florida, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, University of Florida
Sea Grant Program, United States Coast Guard and Coast Guard Auxiliary.
“The Clean Boating Partnership congratulates the Belle Harbour Marina for its commitment to Florida’s environment,” said the
Partnership’s Chair John Naybor. “The dedication and hard work in becoming a Clean Marina is an accomplishment this facility
can be proud of and we welcome them to our growing Clean Marina family.”
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. By providing ‘green’ education and alternatives, the Florida Clean Marina
Program, part of DEP’s Office of Sustainable Initiatives, helps ensure a sustainable future for the environment and the
billion-dollar marine industry. For more information about the Florida Clean Marina Program,
visit www.dep.state.fl.us/cleanmarina.
DEP’s Office of Sustainable Initiatives is comprised of three voluntary, non-regulatory programs that assist Florida industry and
citizens in protecting the environment. The Clean Marina Program, the Florida Green Lodging Program and the Florida Pollution
Prevention Program offer a variety of services including on-site assessments, consultations, speakers and workshops, all at no
cost to citizens or organizations. The goal of the Sustainable Initiatives programs is to meet the needs of the present population
without compromising resources for future generations. To learn more about DEP’s Sustainable Initiatives,
visit www.dep.state.fl.us/green/.
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