Annapolis, MD (March 21, 2000) – Herrington Harbour North in Tracys Landing has met the rigorous pollution prevention standards established by Maryland's Clean Marina Committee and the Department of Natural Resources (DNR), as part of the agency's Clean Marina Initiative (CMI). Herrington Harbour North is one of only 11 elite marinas in the state to achieve Clean Marina status.

CMI promotes and celebrates voluntary adoption of measures to reduce pollution from marinas and recreational boats. "Certified Clean Marinas provide an example for all of us," said Clean Marina Coordinator Elizabeth Fuller Valentine. "Herrington Harbour North and the other marinas embody the conservation ethic: individual responsibility for healthy land and water. Furthermore, they are demonstrating that business interests can be compatible with environmental protection."

Each of the 11 Clean Marinas has implemented measures to control pollution associated with vessel maintenance and repair; petroleum storage and transfer; sewage disposal; solid, liquid and hazardous wastes; stormwater runoff; and facilities management.

"At Herrington Harbour North, we require boaters to use vacuum sanders. They may bring their own equipment or rent it from the marina," said General Manager Tom Wilhelm. "If an individual is sanding without the proper equipment, we will bring a vacuum sander to the customer and politely remind him or her about our marina rule that prohibits open air sanding, grinding and scraping."

In addition to adopting common pollution prevention measures, the owners of Herrington Harbour North have taken the extraordinary step of converting a two-acre Phragmites australis marsh into a healthy Spartina alterniflora marsh. Phragmites is a tall (5'-15'), plumed grass and forms dense stands, which excludes all other wetland plants that provide minimal animal habitat. In comparison, Spartina – or Saltmarsh Cordgrass – is a lower growing plant (1'-8') that is high in natural resource value.

"To help visitors understand the importance of healthy marsh systems, we created a learning station overlooking the marsh, which now attracts great blue herons, snowy egrets, horseshoe crabs and a variety of ducks, hawks and fish," said Marina Vice President Hamilton Chaney.

Recognized Clean Marinas may use the Clean Marina logo in their advertising and on their letterhead. They also receive a flag to fly from their facility, a page on the Clean Marina web site (www.dnr.state.md.us/boating), and promotion in Clean Marina publications.

Signing the Clean Marina pledge is the first step toward receiving recognition as an environmentally-responsible marina. So far, 82 marinas have taken the pledge. The initiative's organizers hope to convert all those pledges into Clean Marina certifications. There are currently 600 marinas in Maryland and the CMI's goal is to certify 150 of those as Clean Marinas by 2004.

For more details about the Maryland Clean Marina Initiative, call the Department of Natural Resources at (888) 620-8DNR, ext. 8770 or check DNR's website at www.dnr.state.md.us/boating.

Editor's Note: A photo of the Marina operators accepting their Clean Marina certificate is available by calling DNR's Media Office at (410) 260-8020.
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Posted March 21, 2000