The Clean Marina Program (CMP) is a voluntary designation program that encourages marina facilities to incorporate the Florida Department of Environmental Protection's environmental Best Management Practices (BMPs), which exceed regulatory requirements. Aligning with DEP's strategic goals, CMP aims to create partnerships with local communities and businesses to protect natural resources and promote economic growth.
To achieve this goal, CMP assists facilities throughout the state with incorporating BMPs into their operating procedures, provides compliance assistance, supplies education on storm readiness through the Clean & Resilient Program, and aims to designate every marina, boatyard and marine retailer possible. The program also encourages the provision of services such as sewage pumpout stations, recycling, and proper disposal of hazardous materials to ensure a sustainable future for our marine and freshwater environments. With thousands of recreational boating facilities, mariner vessels and ecotourism opportunities in Florida, environmental outreach and education is crucial to preserving the state's natural resources.
Marinas, boatyards, and marine retailers may participate in the program. To obtain clean designation status, facilities must meet all DEP legal regulatory requirements and implement at least 60% of voluntary best management practices. These BMPs address critical environmental issues such as sensitive habitats, waste management, stormwater control, spill prevention and emergency preparedness.
Facilities may also become a Clean & Resilient designation. This designation is an additional level of environmental responsibility and sustainability. Facilities that expand on Clean Marina BMPs by strengthening the facility's ability to withstand natural and manmade disasters will qualify for Clean & Resilient designation status. Program participants receive ongoing technical support from the Clean Marina Program staff, the Clean Boating Partnership and mentors who volunteer their time to assist other marine facilities seeking designation. For more information about how to become a designated facility visit Simple Steps to Designation.
A marina is a docking facility with 10 or more boat slips, or a docking facility of any size that provides marine supplies or services required for boating, including but not limited to: dry storage, boat repair, gas, oil, boat sales, boat testing, shellfish or finfish harvesting or distribution, or facilities associated with certain other boating-related commercial establishments. Marinas usually provide safe anchorage and storage of vessels of various sizes. The clean marina will implement a set of environmental BMPs designed to protect Florida’s waterways. These measures address critical environmental issues such as sensitive habitats, waste management, stormwater control, spill prevention and emergency preparedness.
A boatyard is a facility that provides a repair or refinishing site for hull, mechanical or electrical work on vessels. This work may entail the use of resins, paints, lubricants, solvents or other hazardous materials and may require an air permit, industrial waste water permit or stormwater permit. To achieve designation, the boatyard must be in line with the provided BMPs to reduce pollution. By maintaining environmentally responsible practices, Clean Boatyards identify opportunities and implement practices to control pollution such as using dustless sanders, oil and solvent recycling and re-circulating pressure wash systems to recycle wastewater. These measures help preserve the state’s natural resources for future generations.
A marine retailer sells new or used boats and provides services. The marine retailer provides, onsite or offsite repairs or refinishing for hull, mechanical or electrical work on vessels as part of a service department. The Clean Marine Retailer encourages retailers to educate boaters by providing information on clean boating practices to those who purchase vessels and visit their facilities. A Clean Marine Retailer employs environmental BMPs in their boat, engine service, and facility operations.
