Homeport Marina at Pleasant Harbor – a sensitive Hood Canal inlet just south of Dabob Bay – in Brinnon has become Washington’s 68th certified “Clean Marina.”

Marina operator Bob Wise has also received awards in the past: In 2011, his Port Hadlock Marina won Clean Marina certification from the Clean Marina Washington program after meeting a list of rigorous standards and commitments.

Homeport Marina is Jefferson County’s fourth marina to be certified clean, and its first since Port Hadlock was certified in 2011. With certification comes a four-star rating under the EnviroStars Program, which certifies businesses in seven Washington counties that reduce waste and hazardous materials, and conserve energy and water.

“We like to recognize marina operators for going above and beyond what they’re required to do,” said Aaron Barnett, Washington Sea Grant’s boating program specialist, who helps operate the Clean Marina programs. “Bob Wise has really shown leadership, here and at Port Hadlock.”

To earn certification, Wise had to incorporate Clean Marina best management practices in his marina’s rules and regulations; communicating these practices to boaters via signage, handouts, and the Homeport website; and distributed oil-spill kits to them. He has also purchased secondary containment bins for storing hazardous materials, and committed to switching to more environmentally friendly, less toxic products while continuing to educate boaters about how to reduce their impacts, according to a press release sent from Washington Sea Grant.

Homeport Marina plans to work out an agreement to share spill-response equipment, such as booms, and personnel with Pleasant Harbor Marina, which lies deep inside the inlet.

“This is very important,” explained the Puget Soundkeeper Alliance’s Andy Gregory, who manages the Clean Marina program in partnership with Washington State Parks and Washington Sea Grant. “Pleasant Harbor is located on a very remote site on the Hood Canal, and it would otherwise be difficult to get equipment there in time to respond to a spill.”

Wise plans to advertise his Clean Marina status, which should help attract boaters who likewise care about protecting the waters they enjoy.

“Bob has high standards, and he really tries to hold his tenants to those standards,” said Laura Tucker, Jefferson County’s EnviroStars program coordinator. “We’re thrilled to add another EnviroStar to the list, especially since this is the first in four years, and because Bob now owns two Clean Marinas in Jefferson County.