Michigan Clean Marina Program offers best management practices information to marinas
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EmailWorkshops in U.P., Lansing, explain certification process to marina operators.
The Michigan Clean Marina Program’s goal is to keep the waters we love to boat and play in as clean as can be. It assists public and private marinas across Michigan in promoting best environmental and boating practices to protect water quality, enhance habitat, and reduce pollution. The program has been around since 2001 and has established a comprehensive training and certification program for marinas across Michigan.
Environmentally sound practices
Becoming certified as a Michigan Clean Marina Program is a great way for marina operators to demonstrate their commitment to keeping local waters as clean as can be. And for patrons, utilizing a clean marina is a way to ensure you are spending your dollars at a place that will be looking out for the best interests of their patrons and our waters.
To become certified, marina operators must complete a classroom training, have a site visit from certification experts, and complete a documentation process where marinas install or implement practices, record how they are taking steps to minimize their environmental impacts, and inform boaters how to do the same. Once marina operators complete these steps, the marina is certified for a three-year time period. They can choose to recertify on a five-year cycle. At the start of 2019, there were more than 70 certified clean marinas spread across the state.
Two workshops planned
Two workshops, including the first to be hosted in the Upper Peninsula, are planned for the remainder of 2019 for both new and recertifying marinas. The workshops are free daylong events for marina operators to learn more about the program from industry experts and other marinas who have already been certified. Many marinas find the in-person experience beneficial for learning from and networking with other individuals who have a commitment to protecting and improving water quality.
Workshop locations and dates include:
- Cedarville, Mich., Nov. 8, 2019, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Les Cheneaux Community Library, 75 Hodeck St.
- Lansing, Mich., Dec. 5, 2019, from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the Radisson Hotel, 111 N. Grand Ave. This will be held during the Recreational Boating Educational Conference.
More information and workshop registration can be found at the Michigan Clean Marina Program website.
The Michigan Clean Marina Program is a cooperative effort of the Michigan Boating Industry Association, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, and Michigan Sea Grant. Financial assistance for this project was provided, in part, by the Michigan Coastal Zone Management Program, Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy, under the National Coastal Zone Management Program, through a grant from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce.
Michigan Sea Grant helps to foster economic growth and protect Michigan’s coastal, Great Lakes resources through education, research and outreach. A collaborative effort of the University of Michigan and Michigan State University and its MSU Extension, Michigan Sea Grant is part of the NOAA-National Sea Grant network of 33 university-based programs.
