ACSA Achieves Ohio Clean Marina GOLD Certification

Published 9:44am on 2 Jul 2024

For Immediate Press Release!

Alum Creek Sailing Association Receives Ohio Clean Marina Certification

Lewis Center, OH June 28, 2024, Alum Creek Sailing Association(ACSA), located at 3241 Lewis Center Rd, Lewis Center, OH 43035, has been certified as an Ohio Clean Marina by the Ohio Sea Grant College Program. This program, developed in partnership with the Ohio Department of Natural Resources' (ODNR) Office of Coastal Management and Division of Parks and Watercraft, recognizes marinas that adopt environmentally responsible practices.

"This is a great honor for ACSA, which now joins a growing list of other certified Ohio Clean Marinas," said Sarah Orlando, Ohio Clean Marinas Program Manager.

The ACSA Sailing Marina, a 135-slip sailboat-only marina at Alum Creek State Park, was established in 2004 with private funding from its members, making it the first of its kind. From its inception, ACSA has championed clean, eco-friendly boating practices. Notable initiatives include using a gravel parking lot for natural drainage, managing invasive species on the property, and enforcing strict litter and recycling guidelines to minimize the environmental impact within the State Park.

ACSA's core values align seamlessly with the goals of the Ohio Clean Marinas program. "When I learned about the program and realized how it could advance our objectives," shared Brent O'Keeffe, current Commodore of ACSA, "I eagerly introduced the idea to our membership. We are now proud to hold Gold certification, with our sights set on achieving Platinum by next spring."

Launched in 2004 with grant funding from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the Ohio Clean Marinas Program is administered through ODNR's Office of Coastal Management and the Ohio Sea Grant College Program. The program expanded statewide in 2015 with funding from the ODNR Division of Parks and Watercraft.

The Ohio Clean Marinas Program is a proactive partnership designed to encourage marinas and boaters to implement simple, innovative solutions to keep Ohio's coastal and inland waterways clean. The program assists participating marina operators in protecting the resources that provide their livelihood clean water and fresh air. Its primary goal is to promote environmental stewardship through best management practices that increase awareness of environmental laws, rules, and jurisdictions.

For more information on the Ohio Clean Marinas Program, visit www.ohioseagrant.osu.edu/clean.

Lewis Center, OH June 28, 2024 Alum Creek Sailing Association(ACSA), located at 3241 Lewis Center Rd, Lewis Center, OH 43035, has been certified as an Ohio Clean Marina by the Ohio Sea Grant College Program. This program, developed in partnership with the Ohio Department of Natural Resources' (ODNR) Office of Coastal Management and Division of Parks and Watercraft, recognizes marinas that adopt environmentally responsible practices.

"This is a great honor for ACSA, which now joins a growing list of other certified Ohio Clean Marinas," said Sarah Orlando, Ohio Clean Marinas Program Manager.

The ACSA Sailing Marina, a 135-slip sailboat-only marina at Alum Creek State Park, was established in 2004 with private funding from its members, making it the first of its kind. From its inception, ACSA has championed clean, eco-friendly boating practices. Notable initiatives include using a gravel parking lot for natural drainage, managing invasive species on the property, and enforcing strict litter and recycling guidelines to minimize the environmental impact within the State Park.

ACSA's core values align seamlessly with the goals of the Ohio Clean Marinas program. "When I learned about the program and realized how it could advance our objectives," shared Brent O'Keeffe, current Commodore of ACSA, "I eagerly introduced the idea to our membership. We are now proud to hold Gold certification, with our sights set on achieving Platinum by next spring."

Launched in 2004 with grant funding from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the Ohio Clean Marinas Program is administered through ODNR's Office of Coastal Management and the Ohio Sea Grant College Program. The program expanded statewide in 2015 with funding from the ODNR Division of Parks and Watercraft.

The Ohio Clean Marinas Program is a proactive partnership designed to encourage marinas and boaters to implement simple, innovative solutions to keep Ohio's coastal and inland waterways clean. The program assists participating marina operators in protecting the resources that provide their livelihood clean water and fresh air. Its primary goal is to promote environmental stewardship through best management practices that increase awareness of environmental laws, rules, and jurisdictions.

For more information on the Ohio Clean Marinas Program, visit www.ohioseagrant.osu.edu/clean.