The Clean Boating Act of 2008

[T380Fisher]

Hey Admin...maybe a sticky on this?

Got this info from BoatUS..... (We certainly don't need another permit do we?? and it is interesting to see who they want us to contact)

Background:
For 34 years the federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has exempted discharges from recreational boats from the Clean Water Act permit system. Regretfully, a fall 2006 U.S. District Court ruling cancelled this permit exemption. EPA is now required by the court decision to develop and implement by September 30, 2008 a national permit system for ALL vessels in the United States for a variety of normal operational discharges.

The original lawsuit that led to this court decision sought to address ballast water discharges from large ocean-going ships, which can introduce damaging aquatic invasive species into U.S. waters. Keeping our waterways clean and preventing the spread of invasive species is of utmost importance to the future of boating. But taking a complex permitting system designed for industrial dischargers and applying it to recreational boats will not yield significant environmental benefits and it will come at a very high cost. Requiring recreational boaters to purchase a permit would not prevent the spread of invasive species.

If the permit system becomes a reality, you will be required to pay for a state permit for each of your boats. EPA will be potentially monitoring your deck runoff, grey water, bilge water, engine cooling water, and the use of copper bottom paints.

It is important to note that there are already federal laws restricting the overboard discharge of oil, fuel, garbage and sewage. The proposed legislation will not alter any of these existing restrictions.


Then this Wednesday I got this.......

Dear BoatUS Member,

We need your help now to pass NEW federal legislation in the Senate that would provide a permanent exemption for recreational boats from the upcoming EPA discharge permit requirement. Remember that if we don't get legislation passed, we all need to get EPA permits to operate our boats effective 9/30/08!

We appreciate the time that many of you have already taken to let your Senators or Representatives know your support of S. 2067 or HR 2550 "The Recreational Boating Act of 2007." Now there is a new Senate Bill #2766 "The Clean Boating Act of 2008", which is more politically viable, and our best chance to eliminate the permit requirement before it comes in effect on September 30, 2008.

Please pick up the phone or email today and ask your Senators to sponsor and vote YES for S 2766. Although Congress is on recess this week and next, we need their staff to hear from us so that this bill can move as soon as the Senators are back in Washington.

Remember to contact both of your Senators:
(Delaware, Idaho, New Jersey, New York)

State Phone Email
Delaware
Senator Joe Biden (D) (202) 224-5042 Visit BoatBlue.org
Thomas Caper (D) (202) 224-2441 Visit BoatBlue.org
Idaho
Senator Larry Craig (R) (202) 224-2752 Visit BoatBlue.org
Senator Mike Crapo (R) (202) 224-6142 Visit BoatBlue.org
New Jersey
Senator Frank Lautenberg (D) (202) 224-3224 Visit BoatBlue.org
Senator Robert Menendez (D) (202) 224-4744 Visit BoatBlue.org
New York
Senator Hillary Clinton (D) (202) 224-4451 Visit BoatBlue.org
Senator Chuck Schumer (D) (202) 224-6542 Visit BoatBlue.org


Your Senator that is in bold print is especially important to contact because they are a member of the Environment and Public Works Committee.

[livetofishnj]

This stupid political loophole could cause a real pain for boaters.

Here's the links to find contact info your senator or representative if you need it:

House of Reps:
http://www.house.gov/house/MemberWWW_by_State.shtml

Senate:
http://www.senate.gov/general/contac...state&Sort=ASC