GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) – It was an important gathering for marina and boatyard operators from all over the state at South Bay Marina in Green Bay on Wednesday.
The first Clean Marina Tour was held with the goal to get more state marinas certified as Wisconsin Clean Marinas.
That certification promotes ethical environmental practices and up-to-date safety procedures.
Julia Noordyk, Water Quality Outreach Specialist with the Wisconsin Sea Grant Institute, says everyone benefits from these practices.
“Obviously there’s the environmental stewardship part and keeping our water clean,” she explains. “Which is particularly important for their business model, since most of it is recreational boaters.”
A perfect reason for this event to be hosted at South Bay Marina is because of the example the facility has set.
They are currently one of the twenty-one facilities in the state that are certified by the Wisconsin Clean Marina Program and one of only five in northeast Wisconsin.
“South Bay Marina in Green Bay was one of the first marina’s to be certified a clean marina,” says Noordyk. “They’ve over the years implemented a lot of different practices, including preventing oil drips and fuel spills.”
The facility has equipped themselves with the materials necessary to handle relatively minor accidents.
“They’ve got some absorbent materials that the little bit of slop during a refueling incident, they can take care of,” explains Green Bay Metro Fire Lieutenant David Siegal.
Green Bay Metro Fire was on scene during the tour demonstrating the capabilities of their hazmat team. Lieutenant Siegal explains that they can prevent a lot of damage when a larger spill occurs.
“We will protect lives, protect the environment, protect property, and also protect infrastructure,” he says.
The key is to remember that they first need to be made alert of an issue before they can respond.
“If we are needed and they wait, we can never make up that time,” says Lieutenant Siegal.
The tour included demonstrations on spill response, preventing fuel drips, ethical waste management practices, and how to engage youth into becoming the next generation of boaters.
