NEWS FROM THE DELAWARE DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL
May 9. 2008
Vol. 38, No. 206
For more information contact Crystal Nagyiski, Clean Marina Program, 302-729-9909 or Melanie Rapp, Public Affairs, 302-739-9902.
DNREC Dedicates Bay Colony Community Yacht Club as a “Delaware Clean Marina”
Environmental stewardship a top priority for yacht club
(Dagsboro, Del.) In a special ceremony today, Bay Colony Community Yacht Club located on the Indian River Bay and Vines Creek near Dagsboro was dedicated a Delaware Clean Marina, the 7th marina in the state to receive the environmental stewardship designation.
Acting Director of DNREC’s Division of Water Resources Kathy Bunting-Howarth presented Allan Ginlayson, Bay Colony Community Board President with the Clean Marina flag and certificate signed by Governor Ruth Ann Minner and welcomed the yacht club to the growing community of Delaware Clean Marinas.
“Bay Colony implemented best management practices that are critical to help reduce harmful chemicals, excess nutrients and debris from entering the Indian River Bay. Their efforts set a standard for other marinas to follow,” said Bunting-Howarth.
DNREC Deputy Secretary David Small was unable to attend the event but remarked. “Bay Colony has made environmental stewardship a top priority. We are pleased to recognize their voluntary efforts to operate at standards above and beyond regulatory compliance and their commitment to protect water quality in the environmentally-sensitive Inland Bays.”
The Clean Marina Program, a voluntary, incentive-based initiative, encourages marina operators to implement pollution prevention measures associated with vessel maintenance and repair; petroleum storage and transfer; sewage disposal; solid, liquid and hazardous wastes; stormwater runoff; and facilities management. By implementing measures, marinas improve water quality, reduce costs associated with waste disposal and generate new sources of revenue.
To receive the certification, Bay Colony updated their Operations and Maintenance Plan to require boating patrons to follow strict marina guidelines regarding vessel maintenance and fish cleaning in the marina basin. In addition, the yacht club maintains oil and gas spill containment and boom equipment on site in case a spill occurs. Bay Colony has also implemented a “carry in/carry out” waste disposal policy that requires patrons to take responsibility for transporting wastes out of the marina.
The Clean Marina Program provides marina owners and operators with comprehensive information on pollution prevent practices, offers training workshops and provides technical assistance to help marinas meet certification requirements. In April 2008 the first Delaware Clean Marina Expo was held showcasing products, services and information available to reduce environmental impacts and create greener, more sustainable businesses
In addition, as funding becomes available, the Delaware Clean Marina Program awards cost-share grants to marinas to help implement pollution reduction measures. Since it’s inception in 2003, more than $254,000 in cost-share funds for the purchase of pumpout systems, oil spill kits and educational signage has been awarded.
The Delaware Clean Marina Program is a partnership between Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control and Delaware’s Sea Grant Program, College of Marine Science, University of Delaware. For more information, contact Crystal Nagyiski, DNREC’s Pollution Prevention Program at 302-739-9909 or Crystal.Nagyiski@state.de.us
