E. Project Press Release

Many marinas and boatyards have discovered economic benefits from cleaner business operations, and their success stories now will be be told to the nation. Marine Trade Associations across America are asked to recruit volunteer facility managers to be interviewed during a summer long study of clean marinas with clear benefits from their environmental improvements. Those selected will receive national recognition.

Here are two examples of marinas that found unexpected environmental savings and profits after changing to cleaner operations.

• When a full service marina, on a middle America lake, switched to dustless vacuum sanders, bottom work productivity jumped over 60 percent.

• A New England coastal boatyard, after installing a pumpout station installed with a government grant, saves $2,000 annually off sewer bills by metering the waste sent to the municipal sewer plant.

Each benefited five ways: increased productivity or cost saving, environmental guideline compliance, pride in accomplishment, happier customers, and cleaner waters. And because their marinas are cleaner, they work harder to make them cleaner still, AND that has attracted more new customers, who feel better about being part of the solution to water pollution.

Clean Marinas-Clear Value is the name of this project being conducted by Neil Ross, under a subcontract to Tetra Tech Inc. "The purpose of this nationwide effort is to identify marina and recreational boating operations that have adopted best management practices and programs," said Ross, "which have resulted in positive economic benefits. We want to promote as many good examples as possible to our industry, government regulators, and the boating public. To make this happen, volunteers are needed. Or if you know a marina with a good environmental story to tell, please call to nominate them for an interview."

A simple comparison of each marina, before and after environmental improvements, will be made to verify that differences and economic benefits are connected. A positive relationship is intended to support the premise that 'clean' marinas will generate clear economic values. Benefits can be measured in terms of new income derived from increased sales, services, and slip rentals; cost savings from improved housekeeping procedures; increased public visitation and participation due to site cleanliness, attractiveness and clean water.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has become interested in these economic benefits through discussions held at the national series of Marina Environmental Workshops being taught by Neil Ross for the International Marina Institute with EPA grants. Marina and boatyard operators who have realized benefits through implementation of best management practices (BMP) will be called or visited by Ross. Information and photographs collected will be shared with EPA and the industry nationwide.

For information about volunteering or nominating clean marinas for consideration and interviews, contact Neil Ross Consultants (NRC) at: PO Box 56, Kingston, RI 02881 (tel./fax 401-782-2116, or e-mail: neilross@aol.com) as soon as possible. Deadline for consideration is early August.

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