Saefern's Clean Water Marina Program
Saefern is one of the first private communities to be certified as a Clean Water Marina by the State of Maryland
What is the Clean Water Marina Program?
Clean Marina is a voluntary compliance program that stresses environmental and managerial best management practices that exceed regulatory requirements. A facility must meet all legal regulatory requirements and a percentage of voluntary best management practices to become a certified Clean Marina. A typical Clean Marina program will have components that cover marina sighting and design considerations, marina management, emergency planning, petroleum control, sewage and gray water, waste containment and disposal, storm water management, habitat and species protection and boater education. The Clean Marina Program is valuable because it is an effective tool in maintaining and promoting environmental responsibility; with the end result being cleaner water. The voluntary, non-regulatory nature of the program encourages participation and cooperation between marinas, the boating public and the regulatory agencies.
Saefern’s Participation
In 2004, Saefern was one of the first private marinas in Maryland to achieve the honor of being a Clean Marina. This State-managed program provides on-going technical advice and educational material to marinas within Maryland to help them achieve the distinction of being a Clean Marina. Some requirements to retain Clean Marina status don't apply to us, such as fuel control, but most requirements do apply, such as good waste containment, sewage handling and storm water management. Saefern spent many thousands of dollars designing and building a very modern storm water system. There is an on-site audit to be sure Saefern conforms to a 60-point checklist every two years. We have scored high every audit.
Why is this good for Saefern?
We have made a commitment to be good stewards of the Chesapeake Bay. Prospective Saefern buyers are informed of this honor.
All boat owners should study these boating tips and help us remain a Clean Water Marina.
