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Navy MWR Committed to Clean Marina Program

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS060816-07
Release Date: 8/16/2006 12:27:00 PM

From Navy Community Support Programs Marketing, Commander, Navy Installations Command, Millington Detachment

MILLINGTON, Tenn. (NNS) -- Over the past two years, the Clean Marina Program (CMP) has made some big waves at Navy Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR) marinas.

More than 20 Navy MWR marinas have either achieved or are working toward “clean marina” certification in a voluntary program that encourages marina operators and recreational boaters to protect coastal water quality by engaging in environmentally-sound operating and maintenance procedures.

“Navy MWR marina managers are working with Commander, Navy Installations Command and their state government to help preserve the nation’s waterways,” said Dave Mitchell, Navy MWR marina program manager. “We’re proud that Navy marinas are recognized as good stewards of their waters through the national Clean Marina Program.”

The initiative, which is promoted by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, is a voluntary, incentive-based program that recognizes marinas for their environmental stewardship. The benefits of becoming a clean marina include reducing pollution and improving water quality, protecting fish and wildlife habitats, enhancing public image by promoting environmentally-sound practices and saving money by adopting cost-effective best management practices.

“The aim of the Clean Marina Program is prevention,” added Mitchell. “While CMPs vary from state to state, all programs offer information, guidance and technical assistance to marina operators, local governments and recreational boaters on best management practices to prevent or reduce pollution.”

As partners in the Clean Marina Program, marinas pledge to do their part to improve and maintain waterways by reducing and eliminating the release of harmful pollutants that can damage aquatic environments.

“Thanks to [Naval Station] Everett’s high standards in waste reduction and environmental practices that were already in place, the certification process mostly involved implementing suggestions provided by three local experts on the environment, and pollution and oil spill prevention,” said Tamma Hicks, marina manager at Naval Station Everett, Wash., which recently became the first marina in the state to become certified in the Clean Marina Program.

“We’re proud to be leading the way for marinas in Washington state,” added Hicks.

MWR’s goal is to have all Navy MWR marinas located in states with a Clean Marina Program achieve certification by the end of fiscal year 2007. Currently, 22 states have Clean Marina Programs, and Navy MWR marinas are located in 10 of them.

Navy marinas that have achieved certification include: Fiddler’s Cove Marina, Naval Base Coronado, Calif.; U.S. Navy Sailing Center, Naval Base Point Loma, Calif.; Mulberry Cove Marina, Naval Air Station Jacksonville, Fla.; Boca Chica Marina, Naval Air Station Key West, Fla.; Point Patience Marina, Navy Recreation Center Solomons, Md.; Paradise Cove Marina, Naval Air Station Corpus Christi, Texas; Naval Station Norfolk Marina, Naval Station Norfolk, Va.; Little Creek Cove Marina, Naval Amphibious Base Little Creek, Va.; and Naval Station Everett Marina, Naval Station Everett, Wash.

For information on the Clean Marina Program, visit www.cleanmarinas.noaa.gov.

For more information on Navy MWR, visit www.mwr.navy.mil.