Boating Ontario, along with over twenty marine industry professionals from Ontario’s boater and angler associations formed the Clean Marine Partnership to develop a voluntary program of "Environmental Best Practices" for the marine industry that is recognized as the leader in North America. Since 2001, Boating Ontario member marinas have been enrolling in the Clean Marine Program to ensure that their marinas are following these environmentally sound practices and protecting our waterways for all to enjoy. What does it take to become a Clean Marine member? It takes commitment and dedication. Each of the Clean Marine Program marinas must pass a comprehensive environmental audit to ensure compliance with the program standards set out in the Clean Marine Operations Handbook. This handbook, developed through the cooperation of Boating Ontario, Environment Canada and the Ontario Ministry of the Environment sets out more than 200 environmental practices that cover all aspects of marine operations from fueling to waste oil, shrinkwrap and paper recycling, to money-saving initiatives such as energy conservation. Each marina is audited by Greenleaf, a third party firm who provides the marina with a detailed report on their compliance with the standards of the Clean Marine Program. Results of this audit are converted to a five point Eco-Rating system, with a low of one, and a high of five green leaf anchors. In 2009 upgraded standards were added to allow additional levels of achievement, to Gold, Diamond and Platinum 5-anchor status. More than 100 marinas and yacht clubs have now achieved one of these higher ratings. Whether awarded the single Green Leaf Anchor rating or the highest rating of five Green Leaf Platinum anchors, a marina’s participation and rating demonstrates their commitment to the protection of our waterways and marine life. And to improve the only business resource we cannot replace: Clean Water!