The Oregon State Marine Board’s Clean Marina Program is excited to announce the recipient of the 2025 Golden Anchor Award: the City of Umatilla, Marina and RV Park.

The marina itself has been a staple in the community for a long time, and even with a section of one of its docks currently closed and another dock with an older flotation system, the passionate management staff show their care and are always looking to improve on-site conditions.

The moorage facility offers 90 rentable slips, most of which are covered, with one dock section featuring open slips. The marina has cultivated a strong working relationship with the County Sheriff Marine Patrol Deputy and actively enforces state and facility moorage rules. For the past four years, marina staff “walk the docks” twice a year with the Marine Deputy, looking for valid registration decals and evaluating vessels for seaworthiness. The Deputy issues warnings and citations for non-compliance, and the marina managers work with the boat owners to ensure they address any identified maintenance issues. This three-way communication has proven to be an effective tool for all parties and enhances the moorage community.

The Umatilla Marina has a fully compliant fuel station with the required emergency procedures in place and a stock of oil absorbent materials. The fuel dock also hosts a well-maintained boat sewage pumpout station.

Additionally, all docks have oil spill response containers at the top of each gangway for use. The fuel station encourages and uses a "no-spill jug" to prevent spills during fueling. Every three years, staff are excited to receive a fresh supply.

The marina has a mix of gravel and paved parking lots, with the paved sections sloping towards vegetation areas since there are no storm drains to manage for this low rainfall area. Covered dumpsters are located throughout the facility. The Marina also manages a fish cleaning station, which is kept clean and organized. Additionally, marina staff have developed an emergency response plan and are prepared to implement it if necessary.

As part of Clean Marina re-certification, the Clean Marina Program Coordinator often provides recommendations to enhance a site. One of those recommendations in 2025 was to develop a used fishing line recycling spot near the fish cleaning station by contacting ODFW. The marina managers immediately reached out to their local ODFW STEP Biologist, Marty Olson, and now offer a used fishing line recycling station at the marina. This is one of the fastest implementations yet seen in the Clean Marina’s 20-year program history for this type of project.

On April 7^th, the Marine Board’s Clean Marina Program Coordinator, Glenn Dolphin, presented the Golden Anchor Award to Salud Campos, the Marina Manager, at the City's monthly Council meeting.

Campos said, “The Clean Marina Program has provided clear standards that help us maintain consistent procedures throughout our facility. As a result, our day-to-day operations are safer, smoother, and more reliable for all boaters.” Campos added, “The certification also demonstrates our strong compliance with state and environmental regulations, which gives slip holders and visitors confidence that the marina is well-managed and safe.” The Marine Board wholeheartedly concurs.

Learn more about the Clean Marina program and the other 63 Marine Board-Certified Clean Marinas in Oregon.

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The Marine Board is funded by boater-paid fees and marine fuel taxes—not lottery or general fund tax dollars. These funds support boating safety, education, environmental programs, and waterway access facility improvements statewide.