Fish Springs News
Fish Springs Marina First On Watauga To Receive Clean Marina RecertificationJune 22, 2006
HAMPTON, TN ? Fish Springs Marina, the first to fly the Tennessee Valley Authority's (TVA) Clean Marina flag on Watauga Lake in 2004, has set another first. According to the TVA, Fish Springs is now the first marina on Watauga to be awarded recertification of its Clean Marina status.The Clean Marina flag was presented to Fish Springs Marina owners Thomas and Michelle White by representatives from TVA, including: Rebecca Hallman, Supervisor; Martha Podren, Watershed Representative and; Anne Patrick, Land Use Representative.
"It is such a pleasure to work with Fish Springs Marina," said Patrick. "Thomas White and the entire staff are excellent partners with TVA in the way they continue to maintain compliance with our agency's best management practices," she added.
"By pursuing Clean Marina status while our program was still in its infancy two years ago, Fish Springs clearly demonstrated the value they place on environmental initiatives. With this recertification, Fish Springs continues to serve as a role model for excellence in marina operations and accountability," she added.
To maintain Clean Marina designation, Fish Springs Marina meets or exceeds all federal, state and local regulations related to marina management.
"We have also implemented a number of recommended practices that minimize pollution and encourage boaters to become effective stewards of their water resources," said White.
As part of the recertification process, Fish Springs Marina also provides Watauga Lake users with educational information and learning opportunities to improve water quality and encourage safe environmental practices, in addition to keeping detailed records of fuel usage and waste management removal.
"We are certainly proud to be the first marina on Watauga Lake to pursue, and be awarded, Clean Marina recertification," said White. "Watauga Lake is not only one of the cleanest lakes in the TVA chain, but in the nation. Fish Springs Marina intends to keep it that way," he added.
Established by White's grandfather in 1949, the same day Watauga Lake was opened to the public, Fish Springs Marina is the oldest continuously family operated marina on Watauga Lake, being run for decades by White's father until his retirement.
White assumed ownership of the family-run marina in 2000, subsequently investing in improvements to accessibility, safety and environmental operations. In 2005, Fish Springs Marina underwent an expansion that now includes a dealership, full service department and covered slips.
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