GLIN==> Ohio Marinas and Boaters Sign Pledges at Kick-Off

News Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 24, 2004

OHIO MARINAS AND BOATERS SIGN PLEDGES AT KICK-OFF

SANDUSKY, OH – The Ohio Sea Grant College Program, Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR), Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (OEPA), Ohio Department of Health, Ohio Department of Commerce, U.S. Coast Guard, and the Lake Erie Marine Trades Association (LEMTA) kicked off their Ohio Clean Marinas and Boater Programs at the North American In-Water Boat Show at Cedar Point on Saturday with eight local marinas signing the Clean Marinas pledge and over 200 boaters signing the Clean Boater pledge.

Marinas that took the Ohio Clean Marinas pledge included Lakefront Marina, Sandusky Harbor Marina, Huron Lagoons Marina, Battery Park Marina, Sima Marine, Beaver Park Marina, Cedar Point Marina, and the Lake County Yacht Club.

“Lake Erie is arguably the most important lake in the world, but since 1996, the ecosystem has been on a downward spiral,” stated Dr. Jeff Reutter, Director of Ohio Sea Grant. “The Clean Marinas and Boater Programs will allow marinas and boaters, people who depend on Lake Erie for their livelihood and their recreational enjoyment, to do their part to improve the Lake Erie ecosystem.”

To become an Ohio Clean Marina, marinas agreed to within one year bring their marinas into compliance with all state and federal regulations along with management goals identified by the advisory board. In exchange, marinas can advertise themselves as clean marinas and be eligible for components of the Ohio Clean Marina incentive package.

Ohio Clean boaters are expected to abide by the Best Boater Practices listed in the clean boater program brochure.

As part of marinas’ compliance, the first workshop will be on November 9 from 10:00-3:00 at the Ottawa County Visitors Bureau. A second workshop is scheduled for the Cleveland area (location to be determined) on November 16.

For additional information, go to the Ohio Clean Marinas website at www.ohiocleanmarina.osu.edu or the Ohio Clean Boater web site at www.ohiocleanboater.osu.edu

###

For Further Information Contact:

Leroy Hushak, Ohio Clean Marinas Program

614.292.3548

-or-

Jill Jentes Banicki, Ohio Sea Grant

614.292.8949