The Parks and Recreation Division recently has signed on to participate in the Department of Environmental Quality's Clean Marina Program. All staffed state-operated marinas now participate in operational practices that will help to protect and safe guard one of Michigan’s most important natural resources, the Great Lakes.

Through proper facility management, according to the program's guidelines, these state marinas will influence and control the amount toxic agents, oil, gasoline and sediment runoff the could negatively impact the state’s waters.

Facility management practices that impact the environment are: boat sewage disposal, use of pumpouts and dump stations, boating litter and fish waste disposal, fueling bilge care, boat repair and maintenance, engine servicing, hull cleaning and painting and other facility practices. Best management practices can usually be implemented with minimal costs. Budget development and an employee education program focusing on pollution prevention techniques are some extra efforts that can be key to a successful program.

The locations that are participating in the Clean Marina Program are:

• Cedar River State Harbor
• Copper Harbor State Dock
• Eagle Harbor State Dock
• East Tawas State Dock
• Hammond Bay State Harbor
• Lac LaBelle State Dock
• Lexington Harbor
• Mackinac Island State Harbor
• Port Austin State Harbor
• Presque Isle State Harbor