FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 25, 2018
DEP South District Presents Environmental Stewardship Award to USCG Auxiliary, Division Nine
~USCG Auxiliary works to protect the Florida coasts~
FORT MYERS, Fla. - The Florida
Department of Environmental Protection's South District recognized the United
States Coast Guard Auxiliary, Division Nine, USCG Sector St. Petersburg, USCG Station Fort Myers Beach for their commitment to protect Florida's environment. Division Nine Auxiliary was awarded the South District's Environmental Stewardship Award, which was developed to recognize those who are working alongside DEP to safeguard Florida’s coastal environments.
The Coast Guard Auxiliary promotes and improves recreational boating safety while providing training to enhance waterway and coastal safety. The Auxiliary has been a member of the DEP Clean
Boating partnership since its creation in 2000. The partnership provides
environmental compliance assistance and evaluation, educational outreach,
workshops, technical assistance and mentoring to communities.
“It is our honor
to recognize the Coast Guard Auxiliary for its hard work and dedication in helping
to protect Florida’s waterways by performing boating safety checks, checking for clean boating best management practices, such as gray water
containment and education on fuel spill prevention,”
said Jon Iglehart, director of DEP's South District.
The Coast Guard Auxiliary also provides assistance with the department’s Clean Marina Program. To ensure a sustainable future for Florida's marine and
freshwater environments, this program encourages marinas
to maintain sewage pump out stations, and promote recycling and proper disposal of hazardous materials.
With thousands of recreational boating facilities, mariner vessels and
ecotourism opportunities in the state of Florida, environmental outreach and
education is crucial to preserving the state’s natural resources. Learn more about clean marina and boating habits.
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