Pelican Isle Yacht Club Gets Clean Marina Designation
Event marks the 94th Clean Marina in the state of Florida.
Posted Wednesday, May 18, 2005
FORT MYERS – The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), together with the Clean Boating Partnership, recognized the Pelican Isle Yacht Club in Naples as the State’s 94th Clean Marina.
“With thousands of boaters using Florida waters every day, this public-private partnership benefits the marine industry and the environment,” said DEP Division of Law Enforcement Assistant Director Maury Kolchakian. “The Department of Environmental Protection and the Clean Boating Partnership are proud to recognize Pelican Isle Yacht Club for their commitment to the boating community and to protecting the waters of the Cocohatchee River.”
Pelican Isle Yacht Club Marina has a dedicated staff trained in marine environmental issues and focused on pollution prevention. The 190 slip marina has a “spill proof” plan of action, including hurricane preparedness, spill contingency and sewage pump out services to avoid unwanted discharges to Florida’s waters. The facility was designed using best management practices including vegetative buffers, pervious brick paving and appropriate sloping techniques to enhance stormwater pollution prevention.
“Pelican Isle Yacht Club should be commended for educating their employees and encouraging boaters to protect water quality,” said Jon Iglehart, DEP South District Director. “Their commitment to training and planning are impressive.”
Florida’s marinas currently provide services to thousands of boaters using State waters daily. The effects of year-round boating activities contribute to constant and growing pressure on Florida’s sensitive aquatic and marine ecosystems. In response, the Clean Boating Partnership, which includes the Department of Environmental Protection, marina and boatyard owners and operators, Marine Industries Association of Florida, Florida Sea Grant Program, United States Coast Guard and Coast Guard Auxiliary, developed the Clean Marina Program to help marinas, boatyards and boaters protect Florida’s waterways using simple environmental practices that prevent pollution.
Florida’s Clean Marinas go above and beyond required environmental regulations by adopting safeguards that keep solvents, sewage, fuel and oil out of the water, while protecting manatees and other marine creatures.
By educating boaters and improving operations at marine facilities, Florida’s Clean Marinas are helping to ensure a sustainable future for the environment, for boaters and for the billion-dollar marine industry.
