A number of marinas throughout the area are members of the Virginia Clean Marina Program.

The Virginia Clean Marina Program is part of the Virginia Coastal Nonpoint Pollution Control Program, which is administered by the Virginia Institute of Marine Science. As a voluntary program, marinas must first pledge to initiate management practices that will protect Virginia’s waterways and shorelines, particularly in the vicinity of the marina.

These practices include gaining knowledge of past and present legislation that protects waterways and shorelines, protecting wildlife habitats especially of rare and endangered species, minimizing wetland disturbance, avoiding shellfish and aquatic vegetation, minimizing runoff and corrosion, water quality control, and more. Another practice is controlling waste and sewage.

Marinas are given a self-assessment form to complete. After that, the Marina Technical and Environmental Advisory Committee conducts an on-site follow-up to confirm the asse...