Clean Marinas program helps keep harbors environmentally friendly
Self-ruling group limits trash, pollution
Amy Bentley
Ventura County Star
09/10/2011
Many people don't associate boating marinas with environmental safety and sustainability, but in Ventura County many marinas are voluntarily meeting tough industry standards to become certified Clean Marinas.
"We believe in the concept. There are a lot of boaters in California, and if you don't have some standards, you end up with a lot of water pollution. People don't realize this, but boaters in general are pretty good stewards of the water," said Chuck Ormson, manager of the Ventura West Marina at the Ventura Harbor, a recreational marina with 554 boat slips.
Ventura West was certified in 2006 as a Clean Marina and recertified in April after submitting to a lengthy inspection for recertification.
Being a certified Clean Marina isn't just good for the environment, it's also good for business.
