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L to R: IDEM Southwest Regional Office Director Nick Carr, IDEM Commissioner Clint Woods, Hoosier Hills Marina owners Victor Polen and Rebecca Masters, and IDEM Office of Program Support Deputy Assistant Commissioner Carl Wodrich. IDEM presented the Clean Marina flag, sign and certificate at a presentation at the marina on July 17.

Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) Commissioner, Clint Woods, welcomed Hoosier Hills Marina into the Clean Marina Program during a ceremony at the marina Thursday, July 17.

“I am pleased to welcome Hoosier Hills Marina into the Clean Marina Program. The program began in northwest Indiana and has grown successfully throughout the state thanks to agency outreach efforts. Hoosier Hills is the first marina on Patoka Lake to become a member of the program,” said IDEM Commissioner Clint Woods. “Their investment and hard work to become a member sets a high standard for other marinas to help Hoosier boaters have fun and protect water quality.”

Hoosier Hills Marina, located at 10306 E. Lick Fork Marina Road, Celestine, Ind., was recognized for going above and beyond environmental requirements to protect our state’s inland and coastal waterways from pollutants that can be generated at marinas and in the course of recreational boating. Here are a few of the many changes and updates the marina made to become a member:

  • Education and Awareness: Promote environmentally best boating practices through newsletters, emails, social media, brochures, and rules and regulations.
  • Fueling/Maintenance: Educated staff on best practice fueling techniques. Use fuel bibs to contain any drips and require spill containment supplies on the dock. Removed fuel nozzle holding clips and provided preventative maintenance to the fueling system. Gas cans are not allowed on the docks. The fueling dock is locked when closed.
  • Spill Prevention: Installed a new above-ground 12,000 gallon fuel tank above any high water marks. Spill response supplies are on the fueling dock with backup supplies in the workshop.
  • Recycling: Invested in recycling bins and pickup with a disposal company (Monthly fee and pick up/disposal charge) and purchased a recycling bin for the marina deck. Educated customers and staff on how to utilize bins. Staff have been educated on the recycling program and help by sorting non-recyclables from the bins daily.
  • Pet waste: Installed dog waste bins and bags at the end of each dock.
  • Informative signage: Installed “No Feeding Wildlife”, “No Fishing” and “No Fish Waste bins” signs.
  • Regulatory Compliance: Maintained permit compliance and demonstrated, through best management practices, that the marina is committed to preventing negative impacts to waterways.

Marinas across Indiana can learn more about what steps they can take to reduce pollution and become a member of the program by visiting: Indiana Clean Marinas.