Date: June 9, 2011,
Port Hadlock, Washington
Contact: Chris Wilke, Puget Soundkeeper Alliance, 206-297-7002

Port Hadlock Marina has been awarded the Clean Marina Leadership certification from Clean Marina Washington, a nationally-recognized program that works with marinas to protect the waters of Washington State.

Port Hadlock received their certification by fulfilling program requirements, including reducing and properly managing hazardous waste, educating boaters on clean boating practices, demonstrating innovations in environmental leadership. Hadlock is the 58th certified marina in Washington, helping make the Washington program one of the fastest growing programs in the nation. There are 23 other states with Clean Marina programs.

“The Clean Marina program is honored to welcome Port Hadlock Marina to our growing fleet of certified Clean Marinas.” Said Chris Wilke, Puget Soundkeeper Alliance, who helped certify the marina. “The Leadership Award and the 5-star EnviroStars certification demonstrates their genuine commitment to protecting Puget Sound from the potential pollution hazards associated with boating and marina operations.”

Port Hadlock Marina’s certification is the highest level offered by the Clean Marina Washington program, earning the marina the Clean Marina Leadership Award and a Five-Star certification from the EnviroStars program, which coordinates with Clean Marina in seven counties. This level of certification recognizes that the marina has gone above and beyond the basic commitment to environmental stewardship. Among Hadlock’s achievements were the marina’s commitment to working with their suppliers to demonstrate and introduce environmentally-responsible products and sharing results with their industry partners. In addition, Port Hadlock Marina is hosting a spill response training workshop and working with local agencies to promote clean practices within their local community.

“The ownership, Marsh Andersen LLC and management, Hornick Marine management of Port Hadlock Marina feel that we have an environmental obligation to Puget Sound.” said Tod Hornick, Harbormaster. “We are blessed to be able to work and play in the waters of the Pacific Northwest. Therefore we are committed to best management practices in everything we do.”

Clean Marina Washington was created in 2005 as a voluntary incentive-based certification program in which marinas assess their operations and implement improvements to better protect the environment. When they reach the certification standards of Clean Marina Washington they earn the right to "fly the flag." In Jefferson County this earns a dual-recognition that includes certification under the EnviroStars program, an award-winning program that has certified over 600 business of various types.

“Jefferson County Public Health is proud to recognize Port Hadlock Marina as a 5-Star EnviroStars business for its distinguished effort in protecting the environment with sustainable business practices.” Said Lori Clark of Jefferson County Public Health, which administers the EnviroStars program and partners with Clean Marina throughout Jefferson County.

Clean Marina Washington is a partnership of Puget Soundkeeper Alliance, EnviroStars Cooperative, Northwest Marine Trade Association, Washington Sea Grant, Washington Department of Ecology, Washington Department of Natural Resources and Washington State Parks and Recreation. For more information on Clean Marina Washington visit www.cleanmarinawashington.org.