FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 13, 2014
MEDIA CONTACT
Andy Gregory, Puget Soundkeeper Alliance, 206-297-7002
Port of Poulsbo to be awarded Clean Marina Certification on National Marina Day
Port of Poulsbo Marina will be awarded Clean Marina certification from Clean Marina Washington, a program that works with marinas to protect the waters of Washington State. The award will be given during festivities celebrating “National Marina Day” at 1:00 pm June 14, 2014 at the Port of Poulsbo 18809 Front Street Poulsbo, WA 98370.
Port of Poulsbo earned their certification by fulfilling program requirements, including conducting operations with the goal of protecting the environment, reducing and properly managing hazardous waste, educating boaters on clean boating practices, demonstrating innovative and environmental leadership, among other activities. The Port concurrently earned a 4-star EnviroStars certification from Kitsap County EnviroStars. The Port is the 67th certified marina in Washington State.
“It was a pleasure working with Brad Miller, Executive Director of the Port,” said Andy Gregory of Puget Soundkeeper Alliance who performed the certification on behalf of Clean Marina Washington. “From the initial application through the final certification, his attention to detail, willingness to find solutions, and environmental ethic were apparent. The Port has implemented several important changes that will help to protect Liberty Bay from pollution and empower boaters to better manage their onboard pollution throughout Puget Sound.”
Port of Poulsbo’s certification is marked by the modernization of pollution prevention and spill response standards starting to be seen throughout Puget Sound. Through the implementation of program Best Management Practices (BMPs), Port staff will educate tenants and hundreds of transient boaters on important issues including:
- Onboard sewage and waste management
- Spill prevention during fueling and maintenance
- Reducing the use of soaps during boat washing
- Reduction and better management of hazardous and solid waste
The cumulative effects of these basic pollution prevention activities help to reduce a substantial amount of pollutants from entering the waters of Puget Sound.
“The certification process was eye opening!” said Miller. “We didn’t realize how much we were lacking until we saw the criteria for the certification. It’s nice to have a standard to follow. Obtaining a Clean Marina Washington certification means a lot to the Port of Poulsbo. It demonstrates to the community our commitment to cleaning and protecting the waters of Liberty Bay.”
Clean Marina Washington was created in 2005, and is an incentive-based certification program in which marinas assess their operations and implement improvements to better protect the environment. When they reach the qualification standards of Clean Marina Washington they earn the right to “fly the clean marina flag.”
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.
