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TALLAHASSEE – Florida Governor Charlie Crist recently signed a
proclamation honoring today as Marina Day in Florida. Designated
members of the Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s (DEP)
Clean Marina Program are hosting events throughout the state to
encourage clean, safe and fun boating. Clean Marina, Bill Bird
Marina in Miami Beach has been named National Marina of the Year by
the Association of Marina Industries and is the official site of the
national kick-off event for National Marina Day 2010.
“With more than 1,350 miles of coastline and 50,000 miles of
inland and coastal rivers supporting a $14 billion marine industry,
Florida’s water resources are crucial to the state’s economy and our
environment,” said DEP Director of Sustainable Initiatives Deas
Bohn. “Celebrating National Marina Day brings attention to the
importance of green boating and allows our Clean Marinas to be
recognized for their commitment to protecting Florida’s
environment.”
With the primary mission being public education, National Marina
Day emphasizes the importance of the marine industry as a
family-friendly gateway to rivers, lakes and oceans, and highlights
the importance of being a steward of the environment. Boaters are
reminded to practice clean safe boating while enjoying Florida’s
waterways and oceans.
Clean Marinas throughout the state will provide clean boating
outreach and information along with events and activities. The
official national kick-off event at Bill Bird Marina not only
celebrates their designation as National Marina of the Year, but is
also a grand re-opening after repairs from hurricane damage and
honors their recent Clean Marina designation. In addition, Crandon
Park Marina will be recognized as a new member of the Florida Clean
Marina Program. With these two Clean Marina designations, all six
Miami-Dade County marinas are now designated clean facilities. The
Florida Clean Marina Program designated its first member in 2000 and
now has 222 Clean Marinas, 33 Clean Boatyards and 11 Clean Marine
Retailers.
“National Marina Day is an excellent time to recognize the hard
work of Florida’s Clean Marinas in protecting the environment,
especially the newly designated marinas” said Clean Boating
Partnership Chair Mark Leslie. “Members of DEP’s Clean Marina
Program stand out as environmental leaders.”
The Clean Boating Partnership is a consortium of industry leaders
who contribute time and input to the Clean Marina, Clean Boatyard,
Clean Marine Retailer and Clean Boater programs, administered by DEP’s Office of Sustainable Initiatives, to protect Florida’s
waterways. The partnership includes DEP, Marine Industries
Association of Florida, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation
Commission, University of Florida Sea Grant Program, United States
Coast Guard and Coast Guard Auxiliary. With more than one million
registered motorized vessels in Florida, environmental education
within marine industries is the first step toward safeguarding the
state’s natural resources. By providing green education and
alternatives the Florida Clean Marina Program helps ensure a
sustainable future for the environment and a billion dollar marine
industry. For more information about the Florida Clean Marina
Program, visit
www.dep.state.fl.us/cleanmarina.
DEP recently launched an environmental awareness campaign, Easy
As One - Ordinary actions. Extraordinary results. to highlight easy
actions each one of us can adopt to make sustainable practices part
of our daily lives at home, at school, at work and at play. As the
lead agency in state government for environmental management and
stewardship, DEP encourages citizens to adopt green habits that
protect Florida’s air and water quality, conserve water and reduce
waste. A sustainable Florida depends on the collective efforts of
citizens, groups, businesses, industry and government. For more
information about Easy As One, visit
www.dep.state.fl.us/EasyAsOne or follow on Twitter at
www.twitter.com/EasyAsOne.
View the Marina Day proclamation signed by Governor Charlie Crist. |
2012 State of Florida