Pillar Point Harbor Certified ‘Clean’

Pillar Point Harbor has reason to celebrate.

The San Mateo County Harbor District not only met the minimum criteria of the Clean Marina program where a minimum score of 75 percent is required to pass, Pillar Point Harbor surpassed that and scored 92 percent.

Oyster Point Marina in South San Francisco scored 90 percent.

Clean Marina is a statewide program that reviews, audits and inspects harbors and marinas for numerous criteria to pass the Clean Marina certification. The criteria are very stringent and the certification is valid for five years. The overall focus includes environmental practices, construction activities, and other positive steps in keeping the waterfront areas clean and safe for the public. The Clean Marinas Program is an excellent guide to Best Management Practices (BMP) — activities and devices that help prevent or reduce water pollution— that can be used throughout marinas and yacht clubs to keep boating waters clean and healthy. Some BMP examples include good boat-keeping practices, education, signs, notices, marina rules and regulations, waste receptacles, and spill prevention.

At Wednesday’s Harbor Commission meeting, deputy harbormasters Gary Stern and Jacob Walding were acknowledged for their superior efforts in making this happen for the district.

“Oyster Point Marina and Pillar Point Harbor are now Clean Marina’s and will be receiving the appropriate Clean Marina certifications,” said Scott Grindy, harbormaster for the San Mateo County Harbor District.

Stern and Walding took the lead in obtaining this certification.

“Their hard work and efforts really did the harbor district proud,” said Grindy.

The District’s Clean Marina inspectors and auditors were Diane Isley, Emery Cove Yacht Harbor, Bill Price, Richardson’s Bay Regional Agency, Susi Hamblin, Brisbane Marina, and Jerry Hook, Ballena Isle Marina.

“The auditor/inspector team was very pleased with our outcomes especially being our first attempt,” said Grindy.

The Harbor District will receive their Clean Marina flag in a few weeks in the mail along with related documentation.

The Clean Marina program is an excellent tie with the Harbor District’s Environmental Management System approach where Clean Marina is just one part of the districts effort to be environmentally sound.

“Many thanks go to the staff of the Harbor District for their efforts in this great achievement,” said Grindy. “Their ownership in this area is a great statement to our staff.”

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