published Atlantic Highlands Herald 30 June 2005

ATLANTIC HIGHLANDS PLEDGES TO BE A CLEAN MARINA

The Atlantic Highlands Harbor Commission recently took an historic and gallant step. Commission members during the June meeting pledged for the Atlantic Highlands Harbor to become a New Jersey Clean Marina.

The Clean Marina Program is a new voluntary program administered by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the New Jersey Marina Sciences Consortium (NJMSC), and other organizations. The program provides information, guidance, and technical assistance to marina operators, local governments, and recreational boaters regarding the most effective practices to improve and protect water quality and our natural coastal resources.

The Clean Marina Program was created to help keep under control the current number one threat to our waters – nonpoint source pollution or people pollution. Nonpoint source pollution is the grease from our cars and boats, trash and litter from used merchandise, fertilizers from our land, and exhaust from machinery. It also includes stormwater runoff from boatyards, drips of oil or gasoline from fuel docks, and fish waste from recreational fishermen.

The Clean Marina Program was first brought into play by the State of Maryland and the Maryland Department of Natural Resources. Over the last several years the Maryland Clean Marina Committee has helped improve local water quality in the Chesapeake Bay, which is North America’s largest and most biologically diverse estuary; home to more than 3,600 species of plants, fish, and animals.

Now the Clean Marina Program is in New Jersey. There is a strong effort to assist marinas and boatyard operators to protect the resources that provide their livelihood – clean water and fresh air.

The text in the Clean Marina Program Pledge form states: “This marina has a stake in protecting New Jersey’s water resources, enhancing fish and wildlife habitat, and promoting environmentally sound boating practices. As the marina owner/operator, my actions demonstrate my commitment to affect positive changes in my marina activities including a reduction in the sources and impacts of nonpoint source pollution. As a designated New Jersey Clean Marina this facility will be recognized as an environmentally- responsible business.”

By committing to become a NJ Clean Marina, the Atlantic Highlands Harbor agrees to evaluate their own facility using guidelines and a checklist provided by the program. Some of the environmental points on the checklist include containing sanding dust, minimizing pressure washing impacts, minimizing paint impacts, maintaining fuel transfer equipment, practicing low impact development, minimizing impervious areas, and educating boaters about ways to reduce pollution.

Developing into a NJ Clean Marina will not be easy for the Atlantic Highlands Harbor. It will require work, time, energy, and a certain amount of funds. Most importantly, however, it will require a change in the mind-set from doing the same old thing to engaging in extensive environmentally responsible operations and management.

Yet, I have faith that someday soon the Atlantic Highlands Harbor will become a NJ Clean Marina. Before long we will see a flag flying in the harbor with the Clean Marina logo declaring to everyone that harbor waters are largely free of harmful chemicals, excess nutrients, and debris.

The Atlantic Highlands Harbor is one of the largest (If not the largest) publicly owned marinas in New Jersey. It plays a big part in the health of Sandy Hook Bay and the Bayshore Watershed Region. Thus, it should be a high priority to act now to improve water quality in the bay and help the Atlantic Highlands Harbor become a Clean Marina. We all need to commit ourselves to nurture and sustain our bay waters so that healthy water and clean air will be guaranteed now and for generations to come.

For more information on the Clean Marina Program in New Jersey, check out this website - http://www.state.nj.us/dep/njcleanmarina/

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