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How Recreational Boaters Can Participate

Fueling, cleaning, and maintaining boats can generate pollutants that negatively impact aquatic environments. Boaters play a vital role in protecting Indiana’s waterways. IDEM invites recreational boaters to support the Indiana Clean Marina Program and pledge to be stewards of Indiana’s waters by joining the Indiana Clean Boater Program. By actively using best management practices boaters can prevent or reduce the amount of pollution entering our lakes and rivers and even stop the spread of aquatic invasive species.

The Benefits of Participating

Boaters who participate will:

  • Be recognized as environmental stewards.
  • Show that they are exemplary leaders.
  • Keep our waters free of litter.
  • Help protect sensitive shallow water habitat areas.
  • Improve water quality and aquatic habitat.
  • Help prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species.

Become a Clean Boater Today! Take the Pledge!

Become a Clean Boater Today! Take the Pledge!

#CleanBoatersAreIN!

As a recreational boater supportive of the Indiana Clean Marina Program, I pledge to be a steward of Indiana’s waters. I will read the clean boater tip sheets and use the best management practices recommended therein to protect our aquatic resources. I will further ensure that all passengers aboard my watercraft follow these best management practices, and I will encourage other boaters to be stewards of Indiana’s waters as well. For this pledge, I will receive and be authorized to prominently display an Indiana Clean Boater sticker on my watercraft.

As an Indiana Clean Boater, I pledge to:

  • Keep our waters free of litter by recycling or properly disposing of trash;
  • Prevent spills of fuel and engine fluids by adopting proper watercraft fueling and maintenance practices;
  • Stop the spread of aquatic invasive species by using Clean, Drain, Dry;
  • Prevent discharges of sewage by using restrooms, pump outs, and dump stations;
  • Protect sensitive shallow water habitats by obeying no-wake zones;
  • Minimize other adverse impacts to the environment, including cleaning and winterizing my watercraft in an environmentally sensitive manner;
  • Support the Clean Marina Program, including utilizing designated Clean Marinas when practical; and
  • Serve as a Clean Boating ambassador to my passengers and other recreational boaters.

Clean Boater Tip Sheets

As part of the Clean Marina Guidebook, IDEM and its partners drafted a set of tip sheets to provide Clean Boaters with best practices to help them minimize their impact on Indiana’s waterways.

Clean Boater Welcome Kits

IDEM has developed Welcome Kits for recreational boaters who have taken the Indiana Clean Boater Pledge.

Individual kits may vary but typically contain the following items:

  • Welcome letter from IDEM management
  • A printed copy of A Boater’s Guide to Indiana Marinas (while supplies last)
  • Clean Marina fuel bib
  • Pumpout information
  • Great Lakes Clean Marina Network Clean Boating rack cards
  • Indiana Clean Boater decal
  • Clean Marina keychain

Resources for Boaters

Boaters may find additional resources — such as marina locations, fishing information, weather forecasts, and boating laws and responsibilities — on IDEM’s website.

Become a Clean Boater Today! Take the Pledge!

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