|
|
Florida Department of Environmental Protection
Press Release 03/05/2004
STUART – The Department of Environmental Protection
(DEP), together with the Clean Boating Partnership, today recognized Whiticar Boat Works, Inc., as Florida’s 12th Clean Boatyard. Operating for close to six decades, the facility is located on the waters of Willoughby Creek off the St. Lucie Inlet.
|
|
With thousands of boaters using Florida waters every day, this public-private partnership benefits the marine industry and the environment,” said DEP Division of Law Enforcement Assistant Director Maury
Kolchakian. “The Department of Environmental Protection and the Clean Boating Partnership are proud to recognize Whiticar Boat Works for their commitment to this boating community and to protecting the waters of the St.
Lucie.”
“A full service repair facility since 1947, the Whiticar Yard is pioneering boatyard cleanliness and environmental responsibility. Replacing invasive plants with Florida natives, Whiticar is creating a unique backyard habitat for wildlife, assembling bird feeding stations and nesting boxes amongst the new
landscape. Whiticar has raised the environmental bar for all boatyards in Martin County,” said DEP Southeast District Assistant Director John Moulton. “The management team at Whiticar Boat Works is not only leading by example, but also mentoring other facilities striving to achieve Clean Marina and Boatyard designation.”
Over 2,000 marinas currently provide services to millions of Florida boaters. The effects of year-round boating activities contribute to constant and growing pressure on Florida’s sensitive aquatic and marine ecosystems. In response, the Clean Boating Partnership, which includes the Department of Environmental Protection, Marine Industries Association of Florida, Florida Sea Grant Program, United States Coast Guard and Coast Guard Auxiliary, developed the Clean Marina Program to help marinas, boatyards and boaters protect Florida’s waterways using simple environmental practices that prevent pollution.
“Clean water is the lifeblood of tourism, the marine industry and the boating public in Florida,” said Susan Kingston, Chair of the Clean Boating Partnership. “Our Partnership goal is to protect fragile ecosystems while ensuring continued public enjoyment of our waters. The link between this industry and clean water is clear. By recognizing Clean Marinas and Clean Boatyards, boaters can apply what we call ‘pier pressure’ on behalf of the environment.”
Florida’s Clean Marinas go above and beyond required environmental regulations by adopting safeguards that keep solvents, sewage, fuel and oil out of the water, while protecting manatees and other marine life.
By educating boaters and improving operations at marine facilities, Florida’s Clean Marinas are helping to ensure a sustainable future for the environment, for boaters and for the state’s $14 billion-dollar marine industry.
For information about the Clean Marina Program, visit www.floridacleanboatingpartnership.com
|
