NEWS FROM THE DELAWARE DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL
Oct. 5, 2009
Vol. 39, No. 397
For more information contact Rob Underwood, Delaware Clean Marina Program, 302-739-9403; or Melanie Rapp, Public Affairs, 302-739-9902.
Lewes Yacht Club certified
as a Delaware Clean Marina
Ceremony recognizes environmental
stewardship of Delaware’s coastal waterway
LEWES, Del., Oct. 3 – In a special ceremony, Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control Deputy Secretary David S. Small presented the Clean Marina flag and certificate to the Lewes Yacht Club for adopting pollution prevention measures and sustainable practices that will have significant benefits for Delaware’s environment.
“The Lewes-Rehoboth Canal has served as an important waterway to the Delaware Bay for generations of boaters and commercial fisherman,” said Deputy Secretary Small. “By voluntarily implementing environmental stewardship practices, the Lewes Yacht Club has taken a leadership role in protecting the recreational and economic benefits of this beautiful canal. The marina’s efforts will not only improve the cleanliness of the canal but demonstrate that environmental responsibility is good for business.”
The Clean Marina Program is a voluntary, incentive-based initiative that encourages marina operators and recreational boaters to reduce the sources and impacts of pollution and protect water quality. By adopting cost-effective pollution prevention measures and sustainable practices, marinas enhance their public image, reduce operational costs and generate new sources of revenue.
The Lewes Yacht Club, located on the Lewes-Rehoboth Canal at the mouth of the Delaware Bay, joins with Pilottown and Canalfront Park marinas to become the third marina on the Canal to receive the Clean Marina designation. Since the program’s inception, thirteen marinas across Delaware have been certified.
To meet Clean Marina requirements, the Lewes Yacht Club developed an Operations and Maintenance Plan that includes updated emergency procedures and a spill kit and requires boating patrons to follow strict marina guidelines regarding vessel maintenance and fish cleaning. The marina installed environmentally-sound floating docks that can be easily removed from the water for maintenance and repair. The docks were constructed of composite decking which will not leach chemicals found in traditional treated wood decking. In addition new plumbing and utility towers were installed, and a marina office building was constructed that has improved overall marina operations.
To reduce stormwater runoff, paved surfaces were kept to a minimum and grass buffers and landscaping have been maintained. The Lewes Yacht Club has an agreement with the city of Lewes for shared access to the marine pumpout unit at Lewes Canalfront Park. The Lewes Yacht Club’s full line of services exceed Clean Marina high standards.
The Delaware Clean Marina Program provides marina owners and operators with comprehensive information on pollution prevention practices, offers training workshops and provides technical assistance to help marinas meet certification requirements. The Delaware Clean Marina Program is a cooperative effort between the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control and the University of Delaware Sea Grant Marina Advisory Service.
For more information, visit DNREC’s website, http://www.dnrec.delaware.gov/p2/Pages/DelawareCleanMarinaProgram.asp.
