by Joe Wilhelm Jr.
Staff Writer
There is what’s required, and then there is what’s right.
Epping Forest Yacht Club recently complete a review process that revealed it has been pursuing the latter in the operation of its marina on the St. John River.
Located in the San Jose area, the Club recently earned “Clean Marina” status from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection and a plaque and flag were presented commemorating the achievement Thursday in the gardens at the Yacht Club.
“Epping Forest has always been an environmentally conscious facility,” said Steve Nichols, harbor master at Epping Forest. “The state has rules everyone must follow regarding the environment, but above and beyond that, there is what’s right. The designation certifies that you are doing the right things to help protect the St. Johns River.”
Clean Marina is a voluntary program created by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection in 2000. Facilities that seek the designation must implement a set of best management practices that help protect Florida’s waterways. These practices were created to address environmental issues concerning sensitive habitat, waste management, storm water control, spill prevention and emergency preparedness.
The Yacht Club participated in a six-month application and review process to gain the designation.
“It was a good process,” said Nichols. “It brought to our attention some areas that we hadn’t really thought about.”
The program provides a network of “mentor” facilities that have completed the process and earned the designation to help applicants navigate through the application process. Part of that process is completing an action plan to develop best management practices.
The action plan directs applicants to develop plans for hurricane preparedness, fire safety, fuel spill prevention and countermeasures, solid, liquid and hazardous waste removal and sensitive habitat and endangered species.
Having completed the action plan and earned Clean Marina designation, Epping Forest Yacht Club became the 189th facility in Florida to be recognized through the program and the 10th in Duval County.
Other area facilities — including a few in St. Johns and Nassau counties — with the designation include: Amelia Island Yacht Basin, Arlington Marina, Camachee Cove Yacht Harbor (St. Augustine), Conch House Marina Resort (St. Augustine), Doctors Lake Marina, Orange Park, Fleming Island Marina, Huckins Yacht Corporation, Julington Creek Marina, Lakeshore Dry Storage, Lambs Yacht Center, The Marina at Ortega Landing, Mulberry Cove Marina, Oyster Creek Marina (St. Augustine), Palm Cove Marina, Sadler Point Marina (St. Augustine) and St. Augustine Municipal Marina.
“We are fortunate to have Steve,” said Nancy Lee Grey, a member of Epping Forest Yacht Club. “He worked hard to get this designation and he does a great job with the marina.”
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