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News Release

Howard Prairie Resort Marina Achieves Distinguished Marine Board Clean Marina Certification - 09/30/25

After more than a decade of low water and other natural events, Jackson County Parks approached the Marine Board with a novel idea to relocate the Howard Prairie marina to a nearby area of the reservoir with historically deeper water levels. The goal was to keep recreational boating open longer and to appeal to a wide range of boat types on the reservoir. In its original location, Howard Prairie Resort Marina docks could be high-and-dry in low-water years, after only a few months of summer. Since 2019, Jackson County Parks applied for and received grants from the Marine Board using a multi-phase approach to relocate the marina. Jackson County received grants for technical assistance, design and engineering, and construction to replace and relocate the short-term tie-up docks, purchase a new gangway and marina docks.

 

The project was completed in 2023, and Jackson County continued its path to excellence by implementing marina moorage rules for customers, which included requiring current motorboat registration, insurance and boat seaworthiness.

 

Howard Prairie Resort Marina is now complete, with new aquatic invasive species and oil spill prevention signage, a dump station to dispose of onboard portable toilet waste, and a land-side fuel station adjacent to the parking lot.

 

“Staff at the marina worked hard on implementing the standards and were able to do it in just one year,” said Glenn Dolphin, Clean Marina Coordinator. “Given the fact that Jackson County Parks is short-staffed and had a big winter of snow to dig out from to be ready for a very busy summer season, what they accomplished is very impressive.” Dolphin adds, “The marina scored 95% of the certification checklist, which is phenomenal for a new Clean Marina.”

 

Howard Prairie follows Joseph Stewart Resort Marina on Lost Creek Lake, which is also a Certified Clean Marina. Joseph Stewart Resort Marina passed its recertification on the same day, with flying colors.

 

“Clean water and boating go hand in hand. We are proud to be good stewards of our waterbodies by keeping them in quality condition by minimizing impacts of our boating facilities,” says Steve Lambert, Jackson County Roads and Parks Director. 

 

“Our team worked hard to achieve this status, which shows our dedication to our guests and the environment,” adds Andy Austill, Jackson County Parks Manager.

 

This voluntary program educates facility managers on how to protect and improve local water quality by promoting the use of environmentally sensitive practices at marinas. The program provides the tools, supplies, and consultation. Facilities earn certification regulations and clean marina practices, complying with existing environmental regulations, and committing to a cleaner marine environment to help protect Oregon's waterways.

 

Howard Prairie Resort Marina also adheres to all applicable state environmental laws, which include using a heavy-duty hard-shell black plastic for dock flotation and encapsulation. Marina staff also have an emergency response plan and a new oil spill containment kit in the event of any spill-related incident.

 

The Oregon State Marine Board recognizes the hard work by Howard Prairie Resort Marina staff of achieving a record-setting Clean Marina certification process. Boaters can feel confident about mooring in the marina and have comfort in knowing the facility owners are going above and beyond to protect water quality on the reservoir.

 

Learn about the other 63 Marine Board-Certified Clean Marinas in Oregon.

Howard Prairie Resort Marina Achieves Distinguished Marine Board Clean Marina Certification - 09/30/25

After more than a decade of low water and other natural events, Jackson County Parks approached the Marine Board with a novel idea to relocate the Howard Prairie marina to a nearby area of the reservoir with historically deeper water levels. The goal was to keep recreational boating open longer and to appeal to a wide range of boat types on the reservoir. In its original location, Howard Prairie Resort Marina docks could be high-and-dry in low-water years, after only a few months of summer. Since 2019, Jackson County Parks applied for and received grants from the Marine Board using a multi-phase approach to relocate the marina. Jackson County received grants for technical assistance, design and engineering, and construction to replace and relocate the short-term tie-up docks, purchase a new gangway and marina docks.

 

The project was completed in 2023, and Jackson County continued its path to excellence by implementing marina moorage rules for customers, which included requiring current motorboat registration, insurance and boat seaworthiness.

 

Howard Prairie Resort Marina is now complete, with new aquatic invasive species and oil spill prevention signage, a dump station to dispose of onboard portable toilet waste, and a land-side fuel station adjacent to the parking lot.

 

“Staff at the marina worked hard on implementing the standards and were able to do it in just one year,” said Glenn Dolphin, Clean Marina Coordinator. “Given the fact that Jackson County Parks is short-staffed and had a big winter of snow to dig out from to be ready for a very busy summer season, what they accomplished is very impressive.” Dolphin adds, “The marina scored 95% of the certification checklist, which is phenomenal for a new Clean Marina.”

 

Howard Prairie follows Joseph Stewart Resort Marina on Lost Creek Lake, which is also a Certified Clean Marina. Joseph Stewart Resort Marina passed its recertification on the same day, with flying colors.

 

“Clean water and boating go hand in hand. We are proud to be good stewards of our waterbodies by keeping them in quality condition by minimizing impacts of our boating facilities,” says Steve Lambert, Jackson County Roads and Parks Director. 

 

“Our team worked hard to achieve this status, which shows our dedication to our guests and the environment,” adds Andy Austill, Jackson County Parks Manager.

 

This voluntary program educates facility managers on how to protect and improve local water quality by promoting the use of environmentally sensitive practices at marinas. The program provides the tools, supplies, and consultation. Facilities earn certification regulations and clean marina practices, complying with existing environmental regulations, and committing to a cleaner marine environment to help protect Oregon's waterways.

 

Howard Prairie Resort Marina also adheres to all applicable state environmental laws, which include using a heavy-duty hard-shell black plastic for dock flotation and encapsulation. Marina staff also have an emergency response plan and a new oil spill containment kit in the event of any spill-related incident.

 

The Oregon State Marine Board recognizes the hard work by Howard Prairie Resort Marina staff of achieving a record-setting Clean Marina certification process. Boaters can feel confident about mooring in the marina and have comfort in knowing the facility owners are going above and beyond to protect water quality on the reservoir.

 

Learn about the other 63 Marine Board-Certified Clean Marinas in Oregon.