Michigan Clean Marinas Program Begins
The Michigan Clean Marinas program has officially
begun with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the
Michigan Sea Grant College Program, the Michigan Boating Industries
Association (MBIA), and the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality
(MDEQ).
The program promotes best management practices designed to protect the
environment and save the state and marinas money.
“It is prudent for the state to look for opportunities to create
cost effective solutions that help area businesses protect and enhance
our environment,” says Chuck Pistis, Michigan Sea Grant Southwest
District Extension Agent.
This voluntary program was initiated to preserve and protect Michigan’s
Great Lakes and its connecting waterways. Michigan has 1 million registered
boats, more than 1,406 public access sites, 750 marinas, 680 marine
dealers, 41 boat manufacturers, and 85 Great Lakes public recreational
harbors.
The Clean Marinas program is a unique partnership among the boating
industry, academic institutions and the regulatory community. The targeted
membership includes marinas, marine dealers, suppliers and related industries,
but the program is open to the entire Great Lakes community.
“The program promotes best management practices along with pollution
prevention through the application of cost effective and practical solutions.
This leads to overall reductions in waste generation, increased reuse
and recycling, and other increased beneficial uses,” says Jeff
Spencer, MDEQ program coordinator.
In support of the program, the MDEQ’s Environmental Science and
Services Division received support from the Michigan Coastal Management
Program and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to develop
a guidebook on marinas best management practices and buffer zone development.
Official program kick-off will be December 2003, where the program will
be introduced to the MBIA membership at the 2003 Recreational Boating
Conference by MBIA President Van Snider.
For more information, contact
Chuck Pistis at (616) 846-8250
or email pistis@msu.edu
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