NEW HANOVER COUNTY -- Ferry terminals in Fort Fisher and Southport are now certified North Carolina clean marinas.
In order to be certified, marina operators have to demonstrate ways they safeguard the environment.
Operators have to handle paint chips, resins and hazardous waste appropriately.
Nikki Barnts has been accessing the Fort Fisher ferry terminal for four years.
She says she's not surprised that her go-to ferry terminal received the clean marinas certification.
"It recognizes the efforts on the part of the marina's marina operators to go that extra step to protect coastal water quality and coastal resources,” said Mike Lopazanski, NC Division of Coastal Management policy and planning section chief.
The Fort Fisher and Southport ferry terminals can now fly the clean marina flag and use the logo for advertising.