BROWARD COUNTY – Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) law enforcement agents recently charged a dry cleaning business owner for violating hazardous waste and litter laws, both third degree felonies punishable by up to five years imprisonment and a $50,000 fine. Steven Weinfield, President of Dry Cleaning Systems, Inc. in Lauderdale Lakes, was recently charged after eight months of investigation for failing to properly dispose of hazardous waste generated within the dry cleaning facility.

“After receiving a complaint from Broward County and months of investigation, DEP’s law enforcement agents were able to solve this crime and enforce Florida’s environmental laws,” said DEP Division of Law Enforcement Director Henry Barnet. “Ensuring that hazardous waste is properly stored and disposed of helps protect our soil and groundwater resources from pollution and protects the public’s health.”

Weinfield was evicted from the facility where his dry cleaning business operated until 2006. Upon eviction from the facility he left behind several drums full of hazardous waste without notice or permission from the property owner. Weinfield also left 21 dry cleaning machines stored outside the facility for approximately one year which resulted in groundwater contamination from the leakage of tetrachloroethylene, a chemical used in the dry cleaning process. The property owner is currently working with Broward County to clean up the site.

DEP’s Division of Law Enforcement is responsible for statewide environmental resource law enforcement, providing law enforcement services to Florida’s state parks and greenways and trails. Agents investigate environmental resource crimes and illegal dredge and fill activities, and respond to natural disasters, civil unrest, hazardous material incidents and oil spills that threaten the environment.

To report an environmental crime, wireless customers can now dial #DEP. Callers can also report environmental crimes to the State Warning Point by calling (877) 2-SAVE-FL (1.877.272.8335). General environmental inquiries should be directed to DEP district offices during business hours.

For more information about DEP’s Division of Law Enforcement, visit www.dep.state.fl.us/law.

TALLAHASSEE – Florida Governor Charlie Crist recently signed a proclamation honoring August 9 as National Marina Day. To celebrate the day, designated Clean Marinas with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) are hosting special events across the state to highlight the importance of protecting Florida’s waterways at their environmentally-friendly marine facilities.

“With more than 2,000 facilities and a $14 billion marine industry, Florida’s marinas are an integral part of protecting Florida’s environment,” said DEP Secretary Michael W. Sole. “By celebrating National Marina Day and adopting eco-friendly practices year-round, Clean Marinas help to raise awareness of the importance of preserving Florida’s waterways.”

Since 2001, the second Saturday in August has been recognized as National Marina Day by the National Marine Manufacturers Association and the Association of Marine Industries. With the primary mission being public education, National Marina Day emphasizes the importance of the marine industry as a family-friendly gateway to our rivers, lakes and oceans, and highlights the importance of being a steward of the environment. Recognizing the importance of waterways, designated Clean Marinas in St. Petersburg, Miami, Punta Gorda, Fort Myers, Hollywood and Amelia Island are providing clean boating outreach and information along with events and activities.

“National Marina Day is an excellent time to recognize the hard work of Florida’s Clean Marinas in protecting the environment,” said Clean Boating Partnership Chair John Naybor of Pensacola. “Members of DEP’s Clean Marina Program stand out as environmental leaders.”

Florida Clean Marinas offering “go green” boating information and events on Saturday include:

• Amelia Island Yacht Basin - 251 Creekside Drive, Amelia Island
  The marina will host the Trey Durrance Leukemia Benefit and Bike Run, the Amelia Island Sailing Club Poker Run and a BBQ featuring live entertainment from noon to 6 p.m. Yacht brokers, service representatives and vendors will be represented, along with the U.S. Coast Guard and the Nassau County Sheriff’s Department.



• City of Hollywood Marina - 700 Polk Street, Hollywood
  The marina will host a Cardboard Boat Race with entertainment, hotdogs and beverages. The event begins at noon with races starting at 1 p.m.



• City of Miami – Miamarina at Bayside - 401 Biscayne Boulevard, Miami
  The city of Miami will host the 2nd Annual Miami Fishing Tournament to commemorate National Marina Day.



• Fish Tale Marina - 7225 Estero Blvd, Fort Myers
  The marina will host a picnic on the deck for customers beginning at noon. The facility will also host kayak demo rides from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.



• Fishermen’s Village Yacht Basin - 1200 W. Retta Esplanade, Punta Gorda
  The marina will host National Marina Day festivities from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Live music will be offered from 5-9 p.m. This year’s theme is Environmental Stewardship of Charlotte Harbor.



• The Harborage Marina at Bayboro – Wet Slip Marina – 1110 3rd Street South, St. Petersburg
  The marina will provide music, food and fun from noon to 4 p.m. Other agencies such as the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission also will provide educational materials to the public.

In conjunction with DEP, the Clean Boating Partnership developed Florida’s Clean Marina, Clean Boatyard, Clean Marine Retailer and Clean Boater Programs in 1996 to protect Florida’s waterways. The Florida Clean Marina Program designated its first member in 2000 and now has 170 Clean Marinas, 29 Clean Boatyards and four Clean Marine Retailers.

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’s Office of Sustainable Initiatives 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. Through sponsored workshops, technical assistance, conferences and dedication ceremonies, the partnership educates the boating community about pollution prevention and protecting Florida’s waterways.

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/.

For more information on National Marina Day events, visit www.dep.state.fl.us/cleanmarina/marina_day.htm. For more information on DEP’s Clean Marina Program, visit www.dep.state.fl.us/cleanmarina/. To view the Governor’s proclamation, visit www.dep.state.fl.us/cleanmarina/files/marinadayproclamation_2008.pdf.

PANAMA CITY – The Department, together with the Clean Boating Partnership, recognized the marine facility at Naval Support Activity Panama City (NSA PC) on Thursday as the 170th member of the Florida Clean Marina Program.

“By meeting the Clean Marina criteria, the facility demonstrates stewardship and a dedication to protect Florida’s natural resources,” said DEP Northwest District Director Dick Fancher. “We are proud of the Navy’s leadership and commitment in setting an example to the industry, encouraging other facilities to join in the protection of our waterways.”

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.

“The Naval Support Activity Panama City is committed to environmental stewardship as an integral part of our mission to enable warfighter readiness,” said Cmdr. Jessica Pfefferkorn, commanding officer of NSA PC. “Preserving our environment is an ‘All Hands’ effort in everything we do. I am proud of the Morale, Welfare and Recreation Team and their efforts to comply with the regulations, implement innovative pollution protection strategies and continually exceed customer expectations at the Marina.”

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 this marina for its commitment to Florida’s environment,” said the Partnership’s Chair John Naybor. “The dedication and hard work from Navy leadership and managers in becoming a Clean Marina is an accomplishment of pride for this facility and we welcome it 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 toward 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/.

MIAMI – The Department welcomed the Wyndham Miami Airport Hotel & Executive Meeting Center to the Florida Green Lodging Program on Tuesday. The property is the 190th in the state to be designated. The voluntary state initiative provides the lodging industry with free technical assistance, encouraging hotels and motels to adopt cost-saving “green” practices that reduce waste and conserve natural resources.

“We are happy to add the Wyndham Miami Airport Hotel & Executive Meeting Center to the Florida Green Lodging Program,” said DEP Southeast District Director Jack Long. “With more than 400 rooms and 19,000 square feet of meeting facilities, the Wyndham Miami Airport Hotel will set a substantial mark in its energy and water conservation while reducing waste.”

To become a designated member of the Florida Green Lodging Program, hotels must implement a variety of green practices. These practices include, but are not limited to, water conservation measures through low flow plumbing fixtures, a linen reuse program, energy efficiency achieved by installing ENERGY STAR® appliances and programmable thermostats. The waste reduction criteria are met by providing the opportunity to recycle, purchasing items in bulk, purchasing recycled materials and by recycling ink and toner cartridges. All designated properties must also use green cleaners and high efficiency air filters.

“The Wyndham Miami Airport Hotel & Executive Meeting Center is honored to participate in the Florida Green Lodging Program,” said Helen Simmons, Area Director of Operations for Wyndham Hotels & Resorts. “Our team is dedicated to being a part of the environmental solution while continuing to provide our guests with exceptional customer service and an overall unique experience, such as with PURE allergy friendly guest rooms and meeting space.”

Launched in March 2004, the Florida Green Lodging Program establishes environmental guidelines for hotels and motels to conserve natural resources and prevent pollution. In 2007, Governor Crist signed three executive orders initiating state energy-use policies, including one that requires state agencies and departments to hold meetings and conferences only at hotels with the Florida Green Lodging Program designation as of January 1, 2008, whenever possible. With the addition of the Wyndham Miami Airport Hotel & Executive Meeting Center, the program has 254 designated properties and nearly 400 applicants. For more information about the Florida Green Lodging Program, visit www.dep.state.fl.us/greenlodging.

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/.