PORT ST. JOE - St. Joseph Peninsula State Park was recently recognized as the 194th designated Clean Marina in the state, adding 18 wet slips to the program. With the addition of the St. Joseph Peninsula State Park, the Florida Clean Marina Program now boasts 196 Clean Marinas, 30 Clean Boatyards and eight Clean Marine Retailers.

The designation was presented by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), together with the Clean Boating Partnership.

Florida Clean Marina Program facilities are required to meet a variety of best management practices to receive designation. These practices include, but are not limited to:

• Properly storing and disposing of used oil
• Using fertilizers and pesticides according to directions
• Using cleaning methods that prevent the release of pollutants

With more than one million registered motorized vessels in Florida, environmental education within marine industries is the first step toward safeguarding the state's natural resources.

By providing "green" education and alternatives, the Florida Clean Marina Program helps ensure a sustainable future for the environment and a billion dollar marine industry.

For more information about the Florida Clean Marina Program, visit www.dep.state.fl.us/cleanmarina.