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Carolyn Casey, Port of Bellingham 360-676-2500
carolyncportofbellingham.com
Port of Bellingham's Cruise Terminal Earns Five Stars
EnviroStar Ratings Measure Pollution Prevention and Waste Reduction
[Bellingham,Wash.] Labeling storm drains, posting clean boating signage, educating people about marine invasive species and protecting natural habitat are some of the actions that earned the Port of Bellingham's Bellingham Cruise Terminal a Five Star rating from EnviroStars.
Alice Cords, who operates the Whatcom County EnviroStars program, presented the award to the Port of Bellingham this week. She also said that the Bellingham Cruise Terminal is now certified as a Washington Clean Marina, having adopted Clean Marina standards.
"We are very pleased to be given the 5-Star rating at the Cruise Terminal and we appreciate the work our staff did to earn this rating," said Port Executive Director Jim Darling. "Being good stewards of the environment is one of the Port's top priorities."
Each year more than 23,000 Alaska Marine Highway passengers use the Bellingham Cruise Terminal, which also is the homeport for Victoria-San Juan Cruises and several charter boats. Cruise Terminal staff also worked with the Bellingham Bay Community Boating Center on Clean Marina boater education.
The Bellingham Cruise Terminal is the third Port marine facility to earn the highest EnviroStar Rating. In 2004 Blaine Marina was awarded the Five Star rating and in 2008 Squalicum Marina earned it.
EnviroStars is a joint effort of the Whatcom County Health Department and the Regional EnviroStars Cooperative.
In Whatcom County 26 businesses take part in the EnviroStars program with just 15 county businesses earning the highest rating.
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