Local Marinas Help Keep Waters Clean

WILDWOOD — Two local marinas are certified for using best management practices to protect the state’s marine resources and another has pledged to join them.
Last month, the state Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and the New Jersey Sea Grant Consortium announced that there were 40 marinas in the Garden State that were designated as Clean Marinas.
“Launched just five years ago, the Clean Marina program is an environmental success story,” DEP Commissioner Bob Martin said in a release. “The program now reaches into virtually every corner of the state, from the Atlantic Highlands to Cape May, and is a great example of a public-private partnership that fosters environmental stewardship. I strongly urge all operators of marinas, yacht clubs and other boating facilities across the state to learn about the program and to begin working toward the same goal of protecting our coastal resources.”
The DEP and the Sea Grant Consortium, an affiliation of coastal advocacy groups, have teamed up since 2005 to spur marinas to adopt programs to protect the environment. Each marina is evaluated for launching any of a number of voluntary best management practices it undertakes to protect the environment.
Locally, two Wildwood-area marinas are certified — Schooner Island Marina, 5100 Lake Road, and Pier 47 Marina, 3001 Wildwood Blvd.
“These marinas have really gone above and beyond the call of duty to earn the Clean Marina designation,” said the consortium’s Michael Danko. “We’re urging boaters throughout the state to be good stewards of New Jersey’s marine and coastal environments by patronizing marinas that have taken steps to protect this invaluable resource.”
The practices that marinas like Schooner Island and Pier 47 are following include installation of systems to collect washing water, recycling boat storage shrink wrap, developing environmental emergency response plans, posting signs to educate marina users about environmental protection, implementing training for proper fueling, and taking steps to prevent oil, antifreeze and other fluids from fouling the water.
Each marina receives a pennant and special seal indicating its certification in the program.
In addition to the 40 certified marinas, there are 40 others throughout the state that have pledged to identify opportunities and implement practices to control pollution, enhance the surrounding environment and encourage responsible boating practices. They also pledge to pursue certification as a New Jersey Clean Marina, according to the release.
Locally, Grassy Sound Marina, 13 North Wildwood Blvd., has made that pledge.
Certified marinas and those working toward certification are eligible to apply for grants to help them achieve their environmental objectives. The grants are made possible by a partnership between the Sea Grant Consortium and the state Department of Transportation.
For more information about the Program and to see the entire list of New Jersey’s Clean Marinas, visit www.njcleanmarina.org.