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Clean Marina Meeting Advisory Meeting
Thursday, April 24, 1997
The Clean Marina workshop was called to order at 8:30 AM on Thursday, April
24, 1997 at the Bay Point Marriott in Panama City, Florida by Committee
Facilitator Bonny King. In attendance were the following:
Cliff Larsh - - VORCO Environmental
Guy Bising - Marine Industries of Palm Beach County
Greg McGinness - Mariner Technologies, Inc.
Cindy Lougee - M.E. & Company
Scott Burt - Bay Point Marina
George Wakefield - Halifax Harbor Marina
Brett Hinely - Bluewater Bay Marina
Patti Hancock - DEP- Northwest District
Les Westerman - Rod & Reel Marina
Don Borum - Hidden Harbor Marina
Steffi Tassos - DEP- Pollution Prevention Program
Jane Gregory - DEP- Hazardous Waste
Art Leskowich - DEP- Northwest District
Michael Bateman - DEP- Environmental Resources Permitting
Doug Fry - DEP- Environmental Resources Permitting
Fritz Wettstein - DEP- Marine Resources
Claudia Allbright - Florida Council of Yacht Clubs
Bill Allbright - Florida Council of Yacht Clubs
J. Rocky DeSimone - Pensacola Shipyard
Cheryl McKee - DEP- Southeast District
Jennifer Caldwell-Kurka- DEP- Air Resources
Don Jackson - Florida Sea Grant
Mike Scheinkman- DEP
Jack Dunphy - DEP- Northeast District
Bill Lehr - Enviro Marine
Raoul Clarke - DEP- Waste Management
Dennis Tober - DEP- Air Resources
Chris Moser - Panama City Marina
Charles Johnson- DEP- Central District
Eric Miller - DEP- Law Enforcement
Frank Feliciano- DEP- Marine Patrol
Jan Delaney- DEP- Law Enforcement
Bonny King - DEP- Law Enforcement
Allen Parsons - DEP- Law Enforcement
Introductions
The meeting was called to order at 8:30am and Bonny King began with a brief
outline of how the meeting would be conducted followed by
"housekeeping" details and introductions of everyone present. A
quick review of the day's agenda spelled out the goals for another ambitious
day of work focusing on continuing the development of the program. The
morning was to be devoted to the closer inspection of the draft Best
Management Practices (Version 3) along with a presentation by Don Jackson
with the Florida Sea Grant program at the University of Florida . The
afternoon session was to be devoted to Best Management Practices issues and
information gathering on future steps in the development of the program.
Guest Speaker
Don Jackson discussed various aspects of having an all-encompassing
"panic file" at marinas to know exactly what steps to take
and who to contact in the event of an emergency situation. Don stressed that
the "panic file" is not a book to set on a shelf but a resource to
be reviewed and updated frequently. A Float Plan for boaters was also
discussed.
George Wakefield from Halifax Harbor Marina spoke about a petroleum spill
discharge readiness file that has been put together at their marina. The
file is designed to help answer questions that are asked of the person on
the marina end in the event of petroleum spill discharge.
Best Management Practices- (Open Discussion)
A short recess was taken from 9:40 to 9:55. The workshop reconvened and the
floor was opened up to discussion regarding the most recent version of the
Best Management Practices document (Version 3).
The Marine Industries of Association of Palm Beach County (MIAPBC)
representative indicated 100% support of the Clean Marina Program. They
would like to see the Best Management Practices (BMPs) separated into 3
documents one each for marinas, boatyards, and boaters.
The MIAPBC representative encouraged the Clean Marina Program to work
strongly with boaters to make this program a success. Also, he cautioned
against telling marinas how to run their business, and essentially
"turning off" otherwise receptive marinas. He said marinas do not
want to feel as if they are being "talked down" to. For instance,
the program should not be telling marinas to keep their bathrooms clean or
to remove animal waste. These types of well- intentioned suggested methods
or BMPs may actually stop marinas from reading other valuable BMPs.
Other members of the marina and boating industry expressed their support of
the BMP document in its present format. Some felt that they could pick and
choose from the BMPs and skip those that were "common-sense" or
did not apply to them. Comments included that there are a lot of first-rate
marinas that understand and do the more basic things, however, there are
many marinas who do not take some of the more basic steps noted in the BMP
document.
The MIAPBC offered to put the BMP document into language that can be more
easily understood by marina operators and boaters.
There appeared to be some confusion regarding the focus of the BMP document
: in the BMPs or in the suggested methods contained within the BMPs. It was
felt that some BMPs were confusing, incomplete, and even unfair. It was also
suggested that case studies be included with the BMPs and suggested methods.
It was also proposed that BMPs be formatted, with suggested methods that are
required by stature or rule first, followed by those that are merely
recommended.
Discussion ensued regarding the tremendous potential for the release of
pollutants during hurricanes and the need for a BMP for that topic. The
importance of including regulatory references, where appropriate, was also
mentioned.
At 11:30 am the group broke for lunch and a self-guided tour of Bay Point
Marina.
Best Management Practices- (Additions & Changes)
The workshop reconvened and the group was tasked with providing specific
editorial comments on Version 3 of the Best Management Practices document.
Additions, changes, and deletions were discussed and noted. Each of the
participants who recommended substantive changes were charged with
submitting their changes in writing to the Office of Waterway Management. In
addition, participants were tasked with identifying all applicable
regulatory requirements for marinas.
The BMP document's introduction needs to make clear that it is a
"living document" and that there are mechanisms to update and
provide additional methods, technologies, or BMPs.
Blue Flag Concept
Jan briefed the group on the Blue Flag currently concept used in Europe to
recognize marinas that are environmentally and boater "friendly".
Those marinas that are in the program, fly a blue flag indicating that they
have met the criteria of the program. The concept was introduced as an idea
that could be incorporated into the Clean Marina program.
Self-Audit Policy
Cheryl McKee briefed the group on a draft checklist that would allow marinas
to assess themselves and learn more about how BMPS improve their operations.
What's next
It was proposed that the next meeting focus exclusively on reviewing the
BMPs in detail. It was also suggested that the next meeting should be a
2-day workshop with the second day devoted to other program development
issues. A teleconference sub-committee meeting to work exclusively on the
BMPs was also suggested in the interim before the next meeting.
Next Meeting
The next Clean Marina Program Development meeting was tentatively scheduled
for sometime in late June or early July.
The meeting was adjourned at 4:00 p.m.
Last Updated: 08/04/05