Cumberland River Basin Clean Marina Program
The Cumberland River Basin Clean Marina Program is a voluntary program implemented by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Nashville District and its watershed partners to promote environmentally responsible marina and boating practices. This program, established in support of the National Clean Boating Campaign, helps marina operators protect the very resource that provides them with their livelihood: Clean Water. It is designed as an ongoing program to reduce water pollution and erosion in the Cumberland River watershed. The effort will encourage boater education, increased coordination among state agencies and better communication of existing laws, as well as offer incentives for creative and proactive marina operators.
Raising the Clean Marina Flag
Wildwood Resort & Marina at Cordell Hull Lake raised the “Clean Marina” flag on May 22, 2020 during a dedication ceremony recognizing the marina’s voluntary efforts to reduce water pollution and erosion in the Cumberland River watershed, and for promoting environmentally responsible marina and boating practices.
Lt. Col. Sonny B. Avichal, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Nashville District commander, presented the “Clean Marina” flag to John and Dr. Natasha Deane, ownership partners, and thanked them for making such a big commitment to business practices that benefit all who recreate at Cordell Hull Lake.
“From the Corps of Engineers’ perspective, we see our relationships with marinas as partnerships,” Avichal said. “Your commitment to the clean water program really advances our partnership.”
During the process of achieving “Clean Marina” status, the marina owners signed a pledge card committing to the ideals of controlling pollution and erosion. Then the facility had to complete a clean marina checklist and develop an action plan to meet their goals. The checklist is extensive and contains specific requirements for sewage management; fuel management; solid waste and petroleum recycling and disposal; vessel operation, maintenance and repair; marina siting, design and maintenance; stormwater management and erosion control; and public education and water safety.
Wildwood becomes Tennessee’s First Solar-Powered Marina
One of the core fundamentals that Wildwood has adopted since the beginning is to be environmentally friendly and to become as self-sustaining as possible. In addition to planting trees every year on the campus, Wildwood is now saving enough carbon dioxide each year from capturing sunshine which is equal to planting a 13-acre forest.
The rooftop of the Wildwood lodge is now lined with a solar array capable of producing 20,000 kilowatt-hours per year. It is a grid-tied solar system so all the energy produced is used not only by the resort but also by the surrounding Granville community.
