The Wisconsin Clean Marina Program provides guidance and education that enable marina and boatyard operators to protect the resources that sustain their livelihood — clean water, clean air, and healthy fish and wildlife communities. These natural assets are essential features of the boating industry. After all, many boaters are drawn to the water by nature's glory. Boaters want to ply clean waters, catch and eat healthy fish and enjoy water sports without fear of water-borne diseases.

The maintenance, operation, and storage of recreational vessels have the potential to release pollutants to lakes and rivers. The Wisconsin Clean Marina Program promotes and celebrates voluntary adoption of measures to reduce pollution from marinas, boatyards and recreational boats. The purpose is to ensure clean water and protect fish and wildlife. A Clean Marina Guidebook and educational materials are available on this website. Workshops and technical assistance on best management practices are provided to facility operators. Marinas and boatyards are invited to participate in the program and demonstrate their commitment to environmental stewardship. Facilities that adopt the program recommended practices may become certified as Wisconsin Clean Marinas and receive free publicity as environmentally responsible businesses.

Participating marinas and boatyards benefit in many ways, including cost savings from reduced hazardous waste disposal, fewer pollutant clean-ups, and lower insurance rates. Through improved understanding of and voluntary compliance with environmental regulations, you lessen the potential for violations and fines. Your facility will be a safer, healthier place for your employees, contractors and patrons. Moreover, designated Clean Marinas will be in a better position to attract boaters who prefer businesses that protect the environment. "Green" consumers are one of the fastest growing market segments today. 

The Clean Marina Program is administered by the Wisconsin Marina Association with guidance and technical assistance from the University of Wisconsin Sea Grant Institute.  Additional partners include the University of Wisconsin-Extension's Solid and Hazardous Waste Education Center, the Wisconsin Coastal Management Program, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources-Office of Great Lakes, and the U.S. Coast Guard. Development of the Wisconsin Clean Marina Program was funded by the Wisconsin Coastal Management Program and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Office of Ocean and Coastal Resource Management under the Coastal Zone Management Act, Grant # NA08NOS4190431.

Wisconsin Marina Association Meeting and Clean Marina Workshop
Wednesday, March, 14, 2012, 10:00 am -3:00 pm
Associated Bank, 222 N. Wisconsin Ave., Port Washington, WI
Don't miss this imporant meeting!  Topics include: industry updates, Grow Boating campaign, shrink wrap recycling, customer service, cost-savings ideas and welcome the latest cerified Wisconsin clean marina.

For more information contact:
Jon Kukuk, WMA Chair
715.732.446
jon@nesteggmarine.com

Clean Marina Webinar
Boat Wash Water Management: Options for Great Lakes Marinas
Wednesday, March, 21, 2012, 2:00-4:00 EST
This webinar is free, but you must pre-register by Tuesday, March, 20.  To register, click here. Once registered, you will receive a confirmation email with log-in information.  Contact Jill Jentes Banicki at jentes.1@osu.edu with any questions.

Egg Harbor Marina is Wisconsin's Newest Clean Marina!
The newly renovated Egg Harbor Marina was announced as the newest Clean Marina at a press conference on December 6, 2011 in Green Bay.  Egg Harbor Marina is the third certified Clean Marina in Door County.

There are now a total of eighteen Wisconsin certified Clean Marinas in just eighteen months!  The first four certified marinas were announced at a press conference in September, 2010 and include Port Washington Marina, Harbor Club and Quarterdeck Marinas in Sturgeon Bay and Nestegg Marine (Marinette).  The next five certified mainas were announced at a press conference in December, 2010 and include the Abbey Marina (Fontana), Gaslight Pointe Marina (Racine), Lakeshore Towers (Racine), Manitowoc Marina and SkipperBud's Reefpoint Marina (Racine).  The next two certified marinas were the Racine Yacht Club and SkipperBud's Harbor Centre Marina (Sheboygan) announced at a press conference in early Februruay, 2011.  Six more certified Clean Marinas were announced at a press conference in late June, 2011 in Bayfield, which include: Pikes Bay Marina (Bayfield), Bayfield City Dock, Washburn Marina, South Bay Marina (Green Bay), McKinley Marina (Milwaukee), and St. Croix Marina (Hudson).

These certified marinas are doing their part to protect water quality by voluntarily adopting best management practices appropriate for their facility. 

1. Sign a Clean Marina Pledge; Attend a Workshop
2. Conduct a Marina Self-Evaluation Using the Clean Marina Checklist and Best Practices Guidebook
3. Schedule a Conference Call or Informal Site Visit
4. Incorporate Recommended Best Management Practices
5. Submit Compiled Checklist for Team Review
6. Schedule Final Site Visit
7. Receive Wisconsin Clean Marina Certification (certification approval process)
8. Once Approved, Maintain Clean Marina Status 

Once you have pledged, please download the Site Visit Preparation Document for instructions on the next steps in the process and additional information you will need for certification.

For more information on these steps and for additional guidance, please refer to the guidebook and resources webpage.