Houma Downtown Marina latest to join state’s Clean Marina Program

The Houma Downtown Marina last week became part of the Louisiana Clean Marina Program, which promotes the reduction of pollution associated with marinas and the boating industry through the adoption of voluntary guidelines.

Officials from the state Department of Natural Resources, which runs the program, were at the Downtown Marina on Wednesday for a ceremony.

Operated by the Port of Terrebonne, the marina is the sixth in the state to be in the program and the fourth in Terrebonne Parish, joining T-Irv’s and Four Point Landing in Dulac and the Bayou Black Marina in Gibson.

In 2006, more than 600 facilities were in Clean Marina Programs nationwide.

The program began in South Carolina and Maryland in 1998 and was adopted in Louisiana during former Gov. Kathleen Blanco’s administration. Two marinas in New Orleans were the first to join.

Stormwater runoff from marinas, drips from fuel docks and fish waste are all sources of pollution, according to the Department of Natural Resources.

Though marinas do not contribute greatly to pollution, they are starting points into sensitive natural areas, the department’s Web site states.

Lori LeBlanc, the department’s deputy secretary, said marinas can contribute to protecting vital waterways by joining the program. The department is focusing on the 50 or so marinas located in or near coastal Louisiana, she said.

To join, operators request a guidebook and a self-assessment checklist from the program, which contains recommendations on ways to reduce pollution and maintain the environment. The guidebook includes topics on stormwater management, waste containment, and petroleum control.

A program representative then visits the facility, which has to meet a minimum score on the checklist to qualify. The Houma Downtown Marina installed two systems allowing boaters to pump out sewage for free, said Terrebonne Port Director David Rabalais.

Members receive a certificate, a flag to display and authorization to use the logo on letterheads.

Rabalais signed a pledge in February with the program to control pollution.

“We take pride in keeping the marina clean and contributing to the environment,” he said. “We expend a lot of effort.”

“It’s meant for marinas to participate in an environmentally friendly business where boaters and citizens can come to a clean and safe place,” said department public information officer Phyllis Darensbourg. “It shows they are good stewards.”

Charles Reulet with the department’s coastal management division said he hopes other marinas will learn from the facilities in the Clean Marina Program.

Linda Pace, DNR coastal management program manager; David Rabalais, Terrebonne Port director; Lori LeBlanc, DNR deputy secretary; Charles Dixon, operator of clean marinas in New Orleans; John Truxillo, DNR coastal program specialist; Irvin Carlos, T-Irv’s Marina operator; Dan Davis, Terrebonne Port Authority president, and Charles Reulet, DNR coastal program specialist, are pictured. * Photo by KEYON K. JEFF