The Maryland Department of Natural Resources has certified Harbor East Marina in
Baltimore as the latest Maryland Clean Marina. The facility earned the award after adopting best management practices from the Maryland Clean Marina Guidebook, meeting all environmental and regulatory requirements, and passing a site inspection.
Harbor East Marina is a 184 slip facility located in Baltimore’s Inner Harbor, within the vibrant Harbor East neighborhood. The facility, which boasts 500 feet of alongside dockage and ample amenities for annual, seasonal and transient guests, has been operated by Harbor East since 1992, with Oasis Marinas brought on to provide management services in 2015 . With its floating docks, newly appointed boater lounge, pumpout station, party pad and prime location among some of the city’s best restaurants and shops, the marina is a popular destination among boaters looking to enjoy the heart of the city.
In addition to its efforts as a Clean Marina, Harbor East Marina is a participant in the Great Baltimore Oyster Partnership this fall, a collaborative effort between the Chesapeake Bay Foundation and Baltimore businesses to protect the Bay’s oyster population. As part of the program, oyster gardens will be installed at the marina where the baby oysters will be safe as they grow to maturity. Once grown, they will be moved to a sanctuary in the Patapsco River.
“Every clean marina reaches hundreds of people through their interactions with customers; it has a ripple effect throughout the boating community and bay,” Clean Marina Program Director Donna Morrow said. “The department is ready to work with any marina manager or operator who wants to mitigate and reduce their environmental impact.”
“The Maryland Clean Marina program is a win-win for the Harbor East marina and our guests. We are committed to doing everything we can to enhance, protect and restore the Chesapeake Bay,” stated Eric Bradley, Director of Marina Operations at Harbor East Marina. Bradley led the certification process, which required compiling records, safety plans and an emergency response kit.
There are now 154 Maryland Clean Marinas certified statewide. These facilities have voluntarily adopted department recommendations from the Guidebook and passed an inspection by department staff and a peer in the industry. Clean Marinas are re-certified every three years to ensure they continue to meet Award criteria and comply with applicable regulations.
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources is the state agency responsible for providing natural and living resource-related services to citizens and visitors. DNR manages more than one-half million acres of public lands and 17,000 miles of waterways, along with Maryland's forests, fisheries and wildlife for maximum environmental, economic and quality of life benefits. A national leader in land conservation, DNR-managed parks and natural, historic and cultural resources attract 11 million visitors annually. DNR is the lead agency in Maryland's effort to restore the Chesapeake Bay, the state's number one environmental priority. Learn more at dnr.maryland.gov.