Port Washington Marina has earned its place as one of the most environmentally responsible marinas in Wisconsin. Known for its state-of-the-art facilities, including exceptional stormwater management, a large fish cleaning station to manage fish waste, meticulous fueling practices, and robust boater education efforts, the marina received a Wisconsin Clean Marina recertification, marking 15 years of commitment to protecting Lake Michigan.
“Our Clean Marina certification gives our tenants a sense of pride knowing that we are all doing our part to protect the waters of Lake Michigan,” said Dennis Cherny, Port Washington’s harbormaster and long-time active member of the Wisconsin Clean Marina program. “It also provides the assurance that our marina remains a clean, safe, and welcoming environment that they can enjoy with family and friends year after year.”
Watch: A Wisconsin Clean Marina Champion: Port Washington’s Dennis Cherny
The Wisconsin Clean Marina Program was launched in 2010, with Port Washington the first marina certified. A decade and a half later, 25 additional Wisconsin marinas have voluntarily stepped forward to adopt best management practices for their facilities.
Green infrastructure improvements at the marina include the installation of permeable pavers for parking spaces, which helps prevent harmful runoff by allowing stormwater to infiltrate the ground rather than flow across the pavement into the lake. The marina has also finalized designs for additional stormwater improvements in the parking lot, demonstrating their ongoing commitment to advancing their facilities to better serve the environment.
“The dedication that Dennis Cherny and staff have shown to the program and to protecting Lake Michigan’s water quality is genuinely inspiring,” said Theresa Qualls, Clean Marina Program coordinator.
Marinas and related industries contribute more than $2.7 billion to Wisconsin’s economy. The Wisconsin Clean Marina Program is administered by Wisconsin Sea Grant in partnership with the Wisconsin Marine Association, Wisconsin Coastal Management Program, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, and Fund for Lake Michigan.
For more information: Theresa Qualls, Wisconsin Clean Marina Program, 920-465-5031, quallst@uwgb.edu
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The University of Wisconsin Aquatic Sciences Center administers Wisconsin Sea Grant, the Wisconsin Water Resources Institute, and Water@UW. The center supports multidisciplinary research, education, and outreach for the protection and sustainable use of Wisconsin’s water resources. Wisconsin Sea Grant is one of 34 Sea Grant programs supported by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration in coastal and Great Lakes states that encourage the wise stewardship of marine resources through research, education, outreach, and technology transfer.
