FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: February 22, 2005
CONTACT: Jill Johnson, (904) 759-2795 

The St. Augustine Municipal Marina Recognized as Clean Marina

--Environmental stewardship is a top priority for local marina---

ST. AUGUSTINE – The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), together with the Clean Boating Partnership, today recognized The St. Augustine Municipal Marina as the State’s 84th Clean Marina and the 4th in St. Johns County.

“The St. Augustine Municipal Marina is leading by example with the environmental improvements at its facility,” said DEP Northeast District Acting Director Bill Green. “The Clean Marina designation verifies that marinas are taking the necessary steps to protect our most precious resource.”

Confirming their commitment to clean water, The St. Augustine Municipal Marina coordinated with the city to collect and recycle used oil and filters at the facility. By promoting clean boating for their customers, St. Augustine Municipal Marina is ensuring that Florida’s waterways remain clean and protected.

“It is fitting that St. Augustine, as the Nation's Oldest City and also the oldest port city, is in the forefront among municipal marinas, appreciating that protection of our waterways makes good business sense for Florida,” said St. Augustine Mayor George Gardner. “St. Augustine is proud to be recognized for its role in keeping our state's waterways clean.”

More than 2,000 marinas currently provide services to thousands of boaters using state waters daily. The effects of year-round boating activities contribute to constant and growing pressure on Florida’s sensitive aquatic and marine ecosystems. In response, the Clean Boating Partnership, which includes the Department of Environmental Protection, Marine Industries Association of Florida, Florida Sea Grant Program, United States Coast Guard and Coast Guard Auxiliary, developed the Clean Marina Program to help marinas, boatyards and boaters protect Florida’s waterways using simple environmental practices that prevent pollution.

“Preserving Florida’s clean waters is essential to our economy and to the quality of life we enjoy in Florida,” said DEP Division of Law Enforcement Assistant Director Maury Kolchakian. “With thousands of boaters using Florida waters every day, this public-private partnership benefits the marine industry and the environment.”

Florida’s Clean Marinas go above and beyond required environmental regulations by adopting safeguards that keep solvents, sewage, fuel and oil out of the water, while protecting manatees and other marine creatures.

Formed in 2000, the Clean Boating Partnership, which includes the Department of Environmental Protection, Florida’s marine industry, Marine Industries Association of Florida, Florida Sea Grant Program, and the United States Coast Guard and Coast Guard Auxiliary developed the Clean Marina Program to help marinas, boatyards and boaters to protect Florida’s waterways using simple environmental practices that prevent pollution.

By educating boaters and improving operations at marine facilities, Florida’s Clean Marinas are helping to ensure a sustainable future for the environment, for boaters and for the billion-dollar marine industry.

“Clean water is the lifeblood of tourism, the marine industry and the boating public in Florida,” said Susan Kingston, Chair of the Clean Boating Partnership. “Our Partnership goal is to protect fragile ecosystems while ensuring continued public enjoyment of our waters. The link between this industry and clean water is clear. By recognizing Clean Marinas, boaters can apply what we call ‘pier pressure’ on behalf of the environment.”