Two Indiana Marinas Recognized for Efforts to Protect Waterways and Agriculture

By Andi Anderson

Two marinas in Portage, Indiana, have been recognized for their efforts to protect the state's inland and coastal waterways, which are essential to agriculture. The Izaak Walton League of America, Miller Chapter (Izaak Walton League–Miller) and Doyne's Marine, Inc. (Doyne's Marine) have been accepted into the Indiana Clean Marina program.

The Indiana Clean Marina program is a voluntary program that encourages marina operators and recreational boaters to protect water quality and habitats by engaging in environmentally sound operating and maintenance practices.

Waterways are essential to agriculture for a number of reasons. They provide water for irrigation, transportation for crops and livestock, and habitat for beneficial insects and other wildlife. Agriculture also relies on clean water to produce safe and healthy food.

Izaak Walton League–Miller is the first Izaak Walton League chapter in Indiana to achieve Clean Marina status. The facility has encouraged all members with boat slips to take the Clean Boater pledge and has emphasized education on boating best management practices.

Doyne's Marine, Inc. is the first Clean Marina to offer boat maintenance. The facility has added educational signage and rules for boaters and contractors within the marina to reflect "clean marina" practices. It has also implemented a schedule to clean and maintain impervious areas throughout the marina and provided patrons with cigarette disposal containers.

Izaak Walton League–Miller and Doyne's Marine join eight other marinas in IDEM's Clean Marina Program. They include:

• Hammond Marina (Hammond)
• Marina Shores at Dune Harbor (Portage)
• Sammie L. Maletta Public Marina (Portage)
• Sprague Point Marina (Michigan City)
• Two Herons Marina, (Bloomington)
• Lake Monroe Sailing Association at Moores Creek Sailing Marina (Bloomington)
• Lieber State Recreation Area Marina at Cagles Mill Lake (Cloverdale)
• Washington Park Marina (Michigan City)

The Indiana Clean Marina program is a valuable resource for marina operators and recreational boaters who are committed to protecting the state's waterways and agriculture.

The program provides education and support to help marinas implement environmentally sound practices. Izaak Walton League–Miller and Doyne's Marine are two examples of marinas that are going above and beyond to protect Indiana's water quality and agriculture.

Photo Credit: istock-blackjack3d