CRMC adopts fourth Clean Marina

October 14, 2013, WAKEFIELD – The RI Coastal Resources Management Council (CRMC) recently designated the Conanicut Marine Services, Inc. as a Clean Marina under its statewide Clean Marina Program, the fourth marina to receive this designation.

Conanicut Marine Services, Inc., located on Conanicut Island in Jamestown, has been in operation since 1974. Conanicut Marine joins three other marinas that have already been designated as Clean Marinas: Allen Harbor Marina in North Kingstown (the first to be designated), Point Judith Marina on Point Judith Pond in Narragansett, and Ram Point Marina on Point Judith Pond in Wakefield.

The CRMC adopted the Clean Marina Program in February 2007; the voluntary program is designed to reward marinas that go beyond regulatory requirements by applying innovative pollution prevention best management practices (BMPs) to their day-to-day operations. Program partners include the R.I. Marine Trades Association (RIMTA), RI DEM and Save The Bay. These groups and the CRMC comprise a team that evaluates each marina applying for the Clean Marina designation. As a clean marina, Conanicut Marine will receive a special plaque recognizing its status and flags showing the Clean Marina logo.

“This is a great program that I very much encourage other professionals in the marina and boatyard world to revisit and pursue,” said Bill Munger, owner of Conanicut Marine.” In the early 1980s, Munger said he became a member of the American Boat Builders and Repairers Association (ABBRA) and also an early member of the International Marina Institute (IMI). Environmental awareness was engrained into marina and boat yard managers by then co-founder Neil Ross. Munger later became an IMI certified marina manager in 1992. In 1996, Conanicut Marine Services, Inc. was recognized in EPA’s, “Clean Marinas, Clear Value” publication. In the late 1990s, Conanicut Marine added a pumpout boat to service the holding tanks for free for the 160-boat mooring field. The marina constructed “total containment” work bays at the boat yard shop facility.

“Today my staff and I are truly appreciative to the State of Rhode Island - CRMC and DEM - for recognizing the efforts of Conanicut Marine as a designated Clean Marina. Conanicut Marine’s environmental efforts are ongoing and sincere,” Munger said.

As part of this program, a Rhode Island Clean Marina Guidebook and self-assessment checklist serve as tools to assist marinas toward becoming RI Clean Marinas, a designation that certifies marinas, boatyards and yacht clubs that have voluntarily exceeded regulatory requirements and have adopted measures to reduce pollution, and recognizes them as environmentally responsible businesses. Program information is available on the CRMC web site at http://www.crmc.ri.gov/marinas.html. A Clean Marina pledge requires that marinas striving for this designation pledge to do their part to keep the state’s waters free of harmful chemicals, excess nutrients and debris. It also states that the marina owners will identify opportunities and implement practices to control pollution associated with vessel maintenance; fueling; sewage handling; storm water management; and facilities management. The marina, once a pledge is signed, must implement the pollution prevention practices within one year and apply to the CRMC for the designation as a Rhode Island Clean Marina.

Marinas that achieve this status will be presented the RI Clean Marina Award and other highly publicized incentives to distinguish them as top tier “green” businesses that offer clean, safe, and environmentally friendly facilities. The designation would also be in lieu of an Operations and Maintenance Plan, required under Section 300.4 CRMC regulations.

RIMTA, with 270 member companies statewide, works with DEM and the CRMC to support clean operating practices for marinas and boatyards. Wendy Mackie, RIMTA CEO said, “The Clean Marina designation for Conanicut Marine is so well deserved. They have always taken a proactive approach to protecting the environment, really leading the way with “green” practices and sharing their lessons learned with others in the industry locally as well as nationally. Their recent installation of solar panels in their storage facility is a perfect example of the commitment Conanicut Marine has to the greening of their business.”

A press event will be held at Conanicut Marine’s storage facility at 260 Conanicus Avenue, Jamestown on Monday October 21, 2013 beginning at 8:30 AM to formally announce the Clean Marina designation as well as to showcase the new solar power operation. For more information on the CRMC Clean Marina Program, go to http://www.crmc.ri.gov/marinas.html.