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D.C., National Park Service, and EPA Kick off Green Marinas Initiative

Release Date: 10/9/2001
Contact Information: Roy Seneca (215) 814-5567

Contact: Roy Seneca (215) 814-5567
WASHINGTON, DC – The District of Columbia and the National Park Service were joined by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency today in kicking off a “Green Marinas” initiative. This initiative will recognize marinas, boatyards and boating clubs for going beyond environmental compliance to protect and preserve local waterways.

The goal of the program is to motivate boating facilities to achieve Green Marina status by voluntarily following principals to reduce pollution and help protect the waterways in the District of Columbia.

“Cleanup and protection of the District’s waterways is one of my strongest commitments,” said Washington D.C. Mayor Anthony Williams. “All across the country, clean rivers provide the engine of economic development. The Potomac River, the Washington Channel, and especially the Anacostia River are no different.”

Kickoff of the initiative took place at the District Yacht Club on the Anacostia River, which will be the first D.C. marina designated as a Green Marina. The mayor was joined by EPA Administrator Christie Whitman and Terry Carlstrom, Regional Director of National Capital Region of the National Park Service.

“The EPA is excited to be a part of the Green Marinas Initiative, both because it means cleaner waterways in our nation’s capital and because the initiative is a perfect example of the type of partnerships we need to achieve our environmental goals nationwide. We have a responsibility to future generations to make sure that no river in Washington is forgotten,” said EPA Administrator Christie Whitman.

As part of the program, the partnership devised a Green Marina Guidebook that outlines how operators can comply with environmental regulations and offers suggestions and advice on steps they can take to go and beyond compliance to protect fragile marine ecosystems.

“By taking the Green Marina challenge, marinas in the District will move beyond compliance, reduce the need for additional regulations by voluntarily adopting pollution prevention practices, and will also receive regulatory assistance and free publicity.” said Terry Carlstrom, Regional Director of National Capital Region of the National Park Service.