For Immediate Release

Steve Slaton

Director, Marine Facilities
Port of Bremerton
(360) 876-5535 Ext.22

Port   of Bremerton Marinas Awarded Top EnviroStars Rating and Certification as Washington State Clean Marinas

Port Orchard, WA – February 19, 2009

The Kitsap County Health District has awarded the new Bremerton Marina and the Port Orchard Marina, both operated by the Port of Bremerton, the highest rating attainable in the EnviroStars Program. This 5-Star level of performance concurrently qualifies both facilities to be designated as official Washington State “Clean Marinas.”

Nationally recognized, the EnviroStars Program certifies businesses for reducing, recycling, and properly managing hazardous waste. The goal of the EnviroStars Program is to give businesses incentives and recognition for reducing hazardous waste, while giving consumers an objective way to identify environmentally sound businesses. Clean Marina Washington was created in 2005 as an expansion of the EnviroStars program and is an incentive-based certification program in which marinas assess their operations and implement improvements to better protect the environment. The two programs continue to work seamlessly as one program in Kitsap County and four other western Washington counties.

The Bremerton Marina, which opened for business in May 2008, just completed its initial certification and was awarded the 5-Star rating by the Health District. The Port Orchard Marina was first certified at the 4-Star level in December 2005 and has been re-inspected annually to maintain this level for three years. In 2009, as a result of continually improving internal operating processes and procedures and by expanding its outreach and education programs, the marina earned a 5-Star rating.

“ The Port takes great pride in partnering with our marina tenants, visiting boaters and the local community to promote environmental stewardship. Enhancing the natural treasures which surround us in the Puget Sound goes hand-in-hand with the enjoyment of all aspects of recreational boating, ” said Steve Slaton, Director of Marine Facilities for the Port of Bremerton.

Cheryl Kincer , the President of the Port Commission, said that, “The Commission is gratified that our marinas are good neighbors in all respects. These facilities add to the recreational opportunities for our citizens, are great economic development assets, and now set the most appropriate example in protecting the environment.”

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