COMMERCE Twp., Mich. – The Michigan Clean Marina Program is pleased to announce eight Michigan marinas have been named as Certified Clean Marinas. They are Discovery Pier- Traverse City, Eagle Pointe Harbor- St. Joseph, Macatawa Bay Yacht Club- Macatawa, Michigan Harbor Properties- St. Clair Shores, North Star Sail Club- Harrison Twp., Pentwater Municipal- Pentwater, Pier 33- St. Joseph, and Skipper Buds Cass Lake- Waterford. Each has been certified for three-year terms through 2023. Additionally, seven marinas have been Recertified as Michigan Clean Marinas. They are All Seasons Marine- South Haven, Copper Harbor State Dock- Copper Harbor, Eagle Harbor State Marina- Copper Harbor, East Tawas State Dock- East Tawas, Lac Labelle State Dock- Copper Harbor, Miller Marina- St. Clair Shores, and Port Austin State Harbor- Port Austin. They have been Recertified for another five-year-term through 2025. Ninety-three Michigan marinas have obtained Certified Clean Marina status and are maintaining this prestigious certification.

The Clean Marina Program was initiated to preserve and protect, through voluntary efforts, Michigan’s greatest resource, the Great Lakes, and its connecting waterways. The certification process begins with a pledge to participate in the program, followed by a course with an overview of the designation process and a review of best management practices. After implementing improvements and reaching a level of competencies, a CMP Certification Specialist evaluates the facility’s environmental stewardship. When the facility reaches established goals, they receive their designation.

“We welcome the eight newly certified marinas to the Clean Marina Program, and we commend All Seasons Marine, Copper Harbor State Dock, Eagle Harbor State Marina, East Tawas State Dock, Lac Labelle State Dock, Miller Marina, and Port Austin State Harbor for their continuation of following best practices,” said Nicki Polan, Executive Director of the Michigan Boating Industries Association. “More boaters are becoming aware of the program and are searching out these facilities as places they want to patronize.”

MBIA encourages all marinas to pursue this certification. “It is not difficult, and there are both financial and environmental gains that come with this effort,” said Polan.

Nearly 60% of boaters surveyed by the DNR in their recent boater survey would prefer to go to a Certified Clean Marina over a non-certified marina. The average survey respondent were males in the age range of 55-64 years old with household incomes of $100k plus. The most popular boats amongst respondents were fishing boats, cruisers, and kayak/canoes/stand-ups. Read the rest of the results here.

The Michigan Clean Marina Program is a partner program between the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy, Michigan Sea Grant and Michigan Boating Industries Association. Financial assistance for this program was provided, in part, by the Michigan Coastal Zone Management Program, Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy, under the National Coastal Zone Management Program, through a grant from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce. Click here for more details on the program and to see which facilities are designated Michigan Clean Marinas. For more information on the Clean Marina Program and the Michigan Boating Industries Association, visit www.mbia.org. If you would like to join the cause, and become a Certified Clean Marina, please contact us today for more information, 734-261-0123.