Five Michigan marinas have been named as Certified Clean Marinas.
They are Elba-Mar Boat Club in Grosse Ile, Indian River Marina in Indian River, Ottawa Beach Marina in Holland, Pine Lake Marina in West Bloomfield, and Sommerset Pointe Yacht Club in Boyne City. Each has been certified for three-year terms through 2022.
Additionally, five marinas have been re-certified in the program. They are East Jordan City Marina in East Jordan, Irish Boat Shop in Charlevoix, Irish Boat Shop in Harbor Springs, Kean’s Marina in Detroit, and MacRay Harbor in Harrison Township. They have been re-certified for another five-year-term through 2024.
Seventy-nine Michigan marinas have obtained Certified Clean Marina status and are maintaining this certification.
The Clean Marina Program was initiated to preserve and protect, through voluntary efforts, the Great Lakes and its connecting waterways. The certification process begins with a pledge to participate in the program, followed by a course with an overview of the designation process and a review of best management practices. After implementing improvements and reaching a level of competencies, a Clean Marina Program Certification Specialist evaluates the facility’s environmental stewardship. When the facility reaches established goals, it receives the designation.
“We welcome the five newly certified marinas to the Clean Marina Program, and we commend East Jordan City Marina, Irish Boat Shop- Charlevoix, Irish Boat Shop- Harbor Springs, Kean’s Marina, and MacRay Harbor for their continuation of following best practices,” said Michigan Boating Industries Association executive director Nicki Polan in a statement. “More boaters are becoming aware of the program and are searching out these facilities as places they want to patronize.”
MBIA encourages all marinas to pursue this certification.
“It is not difficult, and there are both financial and environmental gains that come with this effort,” said Polan.
Nearly 60 percent of boaters surveyed by the DNR in their recent boater survey would prefer to go to a Certified Clean Marina over a non-certified marina. The average survey respondent were males in the age range of 55-64 years old with household incomes of $100,000-plus. The most popular boats amongst respondents were fishing boats, cruisers, and kayak/canoes/stand-ups.
