The Louisiana Clean Marina program is new, is voluntary, and will soon bestow recognition on two marinas in the state that have passed the test. According to Project Manager Greg DuCote of the Louisiana Department of Natural Resources’ (DNR) Coastal Management division, these are the very first of many more marina owners and operators that will put best management practices in place to achieve this status.

DNR Secretary Scott Angelle and Acting Assistant Secretary for Coastal Gerry Duszynski will award the Orleans Parish Levee District with Clean Marina Certificates at a special ceremony on Wednesday, May 18th at 3 p.m. in the Boardroom at the New Orleans Lakefront Airport.

DuCote said the program is designed for a range of facilities, from small marinas with only a few slips and limited resources to the state’s largest marinas. Marinas willing to adopt practices that meet the goals of protecting Louisiana waters from pollution will be considered for admission to the program.

Clean Marina programs have also been established in Alabama, California, Delaware, Florida, Maryland, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Texas and Virginia and are planned for other coastal states. As this national program grows, it is expected that more environmentally conscious boaters will choose “Clean Marinas” first when given a choice. Louisiana marinas have an opportunity to promote their businesses, educate boaters, maintain the environment and protect coastal waters through this initiative.

The Louisiana Sea Grant program has created a Clean Marina Guidebook and other printed materials to assist the department in the initiative. DuCote said that while marinas are not a major contributor to non-point source pollution in the state, they are however, important gateways into sensitive marine habitats that should be protected.