DEP ADVANCES GOVERNOR'S COAST
2005 INITIATIVE
BY NAMING THE FIRST NEW JERSEY CLEAN MARINA
(05/133) FORKED RIVER -- Department of Environmental Protection
(DEP) Commissioner Bradley M. Campbell today announced the designation
of Silver Cloud Harbor Marina as the first New Jersey Clean Marina.
The implementation of the NJ Clean Marina Program is part of the
Governor's Coast 2005 initiative to protect water quality and habitat.
"Protecting New Jersey's water is a shared responsibility,
" said Acting Governor Richard J. Codey. "The Silver Cloud
Harbor Marina is New Jersey's first Clean Marina and serves as an
example of what marina operators, local governments and the state
can accomplish by working together to protect our valuable water
resources."
Currently 20 marinas have signed the pledge to participate in the
Clean Marina Program - a voluntary program that encourages marinas
to adopt environmentally sound measures to reduce and eliminate
pollution that can be discharged into waterways during regular operations.
"I commend the Giombetti family for their commitment to environmental
stewardship," said Commissioner Bradley M. Campbell. "The
pollution control practices they implement at their marina are vital
to protecting and maintaining our state's healthy water quality
which supports aquatic wildlife, as well as our tourism and boating
industries."
The Silver Cloud Harbor Marina is owned and operated by Dave and
Dawn Giombetti of Forked River in Ocean County. The facility is
a full-service marina with 175 slips, a fuel dock, marine technicians,
pump-out stations and winter storage. The family-owned marina first
participated in a pilot project that later developed into the New
Jersey Clean Marina Program. The Giombettis have improved management
and operational practices as part of their commitment to the Clean
Marina Program. They successfully implemented safety measures including
training employees at docks to ensure proper fueling; properly recycling
and storing waste products such as oil and anti-freeze to prevent
hazardous dumping; and managing stormwater to reduce pollution.
The Clean Marina Program is sponsored by the DEP with a grant from
the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
The New Jersey Marine Sciences Consortium and DEP coordinate to
provide outreach and technical guidance to marinas including free
individual assistance and educational workshops on topics from fuel
spill management to public access.
New Jersey Clean Marinas are recognized with State certification,
authorized use of the Clean Marina logo for marketing and advertising
materials, and an official burgee to fly at their facility.
Cooperative partners in the program include: Barnegat Bay National
Estuary Program, Delaware National Estuary Program, Jacques Cousteau
National Estuarine Research Reserve, Manasquan Watershed Management
Group, NJ Marine Trades Association, NJ Department of Transportation,
Rutgers University and Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Ocean County
and US Coast Guard Auxiliary.
New Jersey is home to over 540 boatyards, marinas and yacht clubs
that house the thousands of commercial and industrial vessels which
sail, motor, and explore New Jersey's coastal waters. New Jersey
has the largest population density of any state, with most residents
living within 50 miles of coastal resources and waters.
For additional information on New Jersey's Clean Marina Program
visit www.njcleanmarina.org.
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