2nd Annual Ohio Marina Conference Recognizes Clean Marinas
Published: Wednesday, April 18, 2018
Over 50 marina owners, operators, and other members of the boating community gathered at Sandusky Yacht Club on Wednesday February 21 st for the Second Annual Ohio Clean Marinas Conference and Awards Ceremony. The Ohio Clean Marinas Program (OCMP) invited marinas and boaters from across the state to attend the one-day conference featuring expert presentations, discussions and networking opportunities.
The conference provided an excellent platform to recognize newly certified and recertified marinas, as well as those who have committed 10 years to the program by receiving a special 10-year anniversary OCMP flag. The conference was a result of feedback received from an OCMP evaluation survey distributed to marinas in the summer of 2016. Owners and operators expressed interest in training opportunities that would keep them current on regulatory updates, environmental innovation and economic considerations as they enter each new boating season. The outcome of that survey prompted OCMP staff to invite speakers from government agencies, universities and business organizations to the annual conference, which has received positive industry feedback both years.
This year’s conference featured discussions on Lake Erie fisheries, Ohio EPA’s Office of Compliance Assistance and Pollution Prevention, Ohio Scenic Rivers 50th Anniversary, new boat wash wastewater guidelines, aquatic invasive plant awareness, the marina Business Retention and Expansion Program, grants and funding opportunities, marina condition assessments and marina specific Occupational Safety and Health Administration concerns. Results from this year’s post evaluation survey highlight the need to continue the conference annually. Staff received a 30% response rate from the evaluation survey in which all respondents indicated they would attend the conference again. Additionally, all responded their intent to apply and share information gained to improve environmental and economic processes at their marinas.
As a way to recognize and promote designated Ohio Clean Marinas, the conference also celebrated seven newly certified and three recertified marinas awarded in 2017, as well as eight marinas who have been committed to clean water and air for ten years as Ohio Clean Marinas! A video of the awards ceremony can be found here: http://www2.ohiodnr.gov/downloads/Videos/2018CleanMarinaAwards.m4v.
Formed in 2004, the OCMP is a proactive partnership designed to encourage marinas and boaters to use simple, innovative solutions to keep Ohio’s coastal and inland waterway resources clean. The program assists in protecting clean water and fresh air for generations of boaters to come. The OCMP also administers the Ohio Clean Boater Program, an individual stewardship program that encourages boaters to follow best boater practices, so they may become more aware of the environmental impact of boating activities and what they can do to make a difference.
For more information about the event or the Ohio Clean Marinas and Ohio Clean Boaters Programs, please contact staff at (419)-609- 4120 or email [email protected].
tags: Awards, Environmental Impact
