by Misty Cunningham U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Nashville Public Affairs

The Dale Hollow State Park Marina was presented a ‘Clean Marina’ certification flag by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Nashville District during a ceremony held at the marina, on August 6.

Although most of the facilities of Dale Hollow State Park lie in Cumberland County, the marina itself, including the store, launch ramp and boat mooring structures, is located in Clinton County.

The Dale Hollow State Park Marina signed its pledge on July 22, 2021. They had two years to meet the standards on the checklist but were able to meet those criteria on November 29, 2021, after only four months.

Less than ten percent of marinas within the Nashville District have achieved the Clean Marina designation.

“The Dale Hollow State Park Marina staff put great effort into achieving the necessary requirements and serve as a model for other marinas in the Cumberland River Basin wanting to achieve this accomplishment,” said Lt. Col. Joseph Sahl, Nashville District commander.

Clean Marina Coordinator and Dale Hollow Park Ranger Sondra Carmen said the nationwide Clean Marina Program encourages boater education, better communication of existing laws, and increases coordination among agencies like the Tennessee Valley Authority and Kentucky Fish and Wildlife Resources.

The Clean Marina Program provides incentives for creative and proactive marina operators who meet the seven major categories of the program.

“We love this lake. Our team is one big family, and I’m very appreciative to have them here with me because I couldn’t have done all this without them,” said Dale Hollow State Park Marina General Manager Glen Stone.

Participants are required to earn a certain qualification percentage in sewage management, fuel management through oil and gas control, solid waste and petroleum recycling and disposal, vessel operation, maintenance and repair, marina sitting, design and maintenance, stormwater management and erosion control, and public education and water safety.

“We are privileged to have Dale Hollow State Park Marina to join in the certification as a Clean Marina on Dale Hollow Lake. Their exemplary action and commitment to pollution prevention and water resource protection is an example to others,” said Crystal Tingle, Dale Hollow Lake resource manager.

Dale Hollow State Park Marina exceeded the requirements and successfully earned 100% in five out of seven categories. The marina also added other environmentally friendly practices like replacing all standard lights with energy-efficient LED and adding a water safety video station.

The marina also reworked its trash collection and disposal for clean and easy accessibility for customers while eliminating the possibility of debris entering the lake.

“We commend the entire staff at Dale Hollow State Park Marina and the impact of what they’ve accomplished affects a much greater area than just their harbor,” said Stoves.

“Taking care of this waterway not only provides this marina with its livelihood, but it also provides a quality recreation experience for the community. Without that clean water, we don’t have either of those,” said Stoves.

The Clean Marina Program is a voluntary program implemented in 2004 by the Corps of Engineers and its watershed partners to promote environmentally responsible marina and boating practices.

Modeled after the Tennessee Valley Clean Marina Initiative, the program was established in support of the National Clean Boating Campaign.

There are currently five marinas certified as Clean Marinas within the Nashville District. Willow Grove and Sunset Marina are located on Dale Hollow Lake. There are some marinas still pending re-certification this fall, including Hendricks Creek.

Dale Hollow State Park Marina is owned by Equity Lifestyle, a division of Loggerhead Marina.