District Digest News Stories

Lake Cumberland marina earns ‘clean marina’ flag

Nashville District
Published Sept. 14, 2015
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Nashville District Deputy Commander Maj. Christopher Burkhart presents a “Clean Marina” Flag to Conley Bottom Resort Owner, Charlie Denny at Lake Cumberland in Monticello, Ky., Sept., 10, 2015.  They celebrated the marina’s certification in the Cumberland River Basin Clean Marina Partnership, a commitment to pollution prevention and water resource protection.  In the photo are (Left to Right) Marshal Jennings, Environmental Protection Specialist, Charlie Denny, Conley Bottom Resort owner, Nashville District Deputy Commander Maj. Christopher Burkhart, Resort Manager Fred Piercy, and Stuart Bryant, Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources Officer. 
Second row: (Left to right) Mark Vaughan, Environmental Protection specialist, Nashville District Jed Grubbs, Program Manager of Watershed Planning and Restoration, Cumberland River Compact, Mark Klimaszewski, Lake Cumberland Resource manager and Travis Neal, Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources Officer

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Nashville District Deputy Commander Maj. Christopher Burkhart presents a “Clean Marina” Flag to Conley Bottom Resort Owner, Charlie Denny at Lake Cumberland in Monticello, Ky., Sept., 10, 2015. They celebrated the marina’s certification in the Cumberland River Basin Clean Marina Partnership, a commitment to pollution prevention and water resource protection. In the photo are (Left to Right) Marshal Jennings, Environmental Protection Specialist, Charlie Denny, Conley Bottom Resort owner, Nashville District Deputy Commander Maj. Christopher Burkhart, Resort Manager Fred Piercy, and Stuart Bryant, Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources Officer. Second row: (Left to right) Mark Vaughan, Environmental Protection specialist, Nashville District Jed Grubbs, Program Manager of Watershed Planning and Restoration, Cumberland River Compact, Mark Klimaszewski, Lake Cumberland Resource manager and Travis Neal, Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources Officer

Nashville District Deputy Commander Maj. Christopher Burkhart (right) help raise the Clean Marina Banner with Charlie Denny, Conley Bottom Resort owner (right) and Marshal Jennings, Environmental Protection specialist, Nashville District.

Nashville District Deputy Commander Maj. Christopher Burkhart (right) help raise the Clean Marina Banner with Charlie Denny, Conley Bottom Resort owner (right) and Marshal Jennings, Environmental Protection specialist, Nashville District.

With the sound of marine boat motors in the background, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Nashville District presented a ‘Clean Marina’ certification flag to a Lake Cumberland marina during a brief ceremony Sept. 10, 2015.   Conley Bottom Resort in Monticello, Ky., became the first marina on Lake Cumberland to earn the distinguished certification.

With the sound of marine boat motors in the background, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Nashville District presented a ‘Clean Marina’ certification flag to a Lake Cumberland marina during a brief ceremony Sept. 10, 2015. Conley Bottom Resort in Monticello, Ky., became the first marina on Lake Cumberland to earn the distinguished certification.

NASHVILLE, TENN., (Sept. 14, 2015) – With the sound of marine boat motors in the background, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Nashville District presented a ‘Clean Marina’ certification flag to a Lake Cumberland marina during a brief ceremony Sept. 10, 2015.  

Conley Bottom Resort in Monticello, Ky., became the first marina on Lake Cumberland to earn the distinguished certification.

“It is an honor to represent the Nashville District today and present this award,” said Burkhart.  “The highlight is that you are the first marina on Lake Cumberland to earn this distinguished certification and have set precedence for the others to emulate.” 

Lake Cumberland Resource Manager Mark Klimaszewski welcomed attendees, including area partners; Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources, Cumberland River Compact and thanked all for their support.  Eastern Kentucky Area Office manager Tom Hale introduced Nashville District Deputy Commander Maj. Christopher Burkhart as the featured speaker.

Burkhart presented Charlie Denny, resort owner, and Fred Piercy, resort manager and the staff of Conley Bottom the ‘Clean Marina’ flag for their hard work on their achievement.

“I’m over thrilled that we have earned this certification and I am simply proud,” said Denney, “and proud of our environmental awareness.”

Denny accepted the banner on behalf of the Conley Bottom Resort and employees.

"It is a honor to award Conley Bottom Resort with this certificationdistinction into the Clean Marina program and we look forward to more marinas certified," said, Crystal Tingle, conservation biologist and program manager for the Nashville District

The Cumberland River Basin Clean Marina Partnership 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 encourages boater education, coordination among state agencies and better communication of existing laws, and offers incentives for creative and proactive marina operators.

The program has established a list of seven management measures that are identified as priorities in order for the marina to fly the flag of a “Clean Marina.” These criteria include sewage management; fuel control; solid waste, petroleum recycling and disposal; vessel operation, maintenance, and repair; marina siting, design, and maintenance; storm water management and erosion control; and public education.

“Our staff worked hard, strived for excellence and should be proud of this accomplishment,” said Piercy.  “We want to do what’s best for the environment and for the people that visit Lake Cumberland.”

The steps to becoming a designated Clean Marina are straightforward, beginning with a pledge, which is a commitment to controlling pollution and erosion at their facility and promoting water-protective behavior with the boating public. The benefits of achieving “Clean Marina” designation are many. By participating, marinas demonstrate their commitment to addressing water quality issues. Conley Bottom Resort will be honored for their commitment to this excellence.

Conley Bottom Resort is located in South Central Kentucky on beautiful Lake Cumberland in Monticello, Ky. The resort marina is one of Lake Cumberland’s most accessible marina complexes. More information about the services they provide is available on their website at www.conleybottom.com.

(The public can obtain news, updates and information from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Nashville District on the district’s website at www.lrn.usace.army.mil, on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/nashvillecorps and on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/nashvillecorps.)