SOUTH CAROLINA CERTIFIES TWO NEW CLEAN MARINAS & FIRST CLEAN BOATYARD
Charleston, SC – At the South Carolina Marine Association’s Annual Meeting last Thursday, the SC Clean Marina program awarded certification to Lighthouse Marina in Chapin, SC, and Port Royal Landing Marina in Port Royal, SC. The state’s first Clean Boatyard Certification was awarded to The Charleston City Boatyard in Wando, SC. This brings the total number of Clean Marina facilities in the state to twelve.
“The program has stagnated for the last couple of years,” said Bob Pilcher, SCMA President. “SCMA got together with the Department of Health & Environmental Control and the Department of Natural Resources to revitalize it with a new guidebook and checklist. This first round was a learning curve for both the committee and the applicants.”
It was clearly evident from the inspections that the facility managers — Stan Jones at Lighthouse, Rion Salley at Port Royal, and Ron Gift at the City Boatyard — and their staffs had worked diligently to prove themselves and their businesses as good stewards of the environment.
Clean Marina designations must be recertified every five years. SCMA plans to recertify the existing Clean Marinas next. The program will be open to new applicants in January 2009. Those interested should contact SCMA.
The Clean Marina Initiative is a voluntary program promoted by NOAA and others. It helps reduce pollution in US waters by encouraging environmentally-friendly marina and boating practices. The various state programs offer information, guidance, and technical assistance to marina operators, local governments, and recreational boaters on Best Management Practices that can be used to prevent or reduce pollution.
Related links: Lake Murray Association Home Page