Boaters urged to lobby for discharge exemption

The fun forum. Discuss anything here.

Moderators: Brenda, Kelly

Post Reply
User avatar
Brenda
VIP II
VIP II
Posts: 2740
Joined: Mon Apr 02, 2007 2:01 pm
Camera Model: Canon PowerShot SX20 IS
Location: Lodi

Dave Henderson: Boaters urged to lobby for discharge exemption
June 3, 2008

Faced with the threat of a potentially costly federal permit program going in to effect on Sept. 30, recreational boaters are running out of time to voice their opinion to their Senators and Congressmen.

Recreational boaters and fishermen must push for the “Clean Boating Act of 2008.” The bill would retain a 35-year-old exemption under the Clean Water Act of 1972 for “normal operational” discharges from recreational boats, such as deck run-off from rain or engine cooling water.

The Environmental Protection Agency is developing a permit program as a result of a lawsuit originally intended to prevent the spread of invasive species from abroad by targeting ocean-going commercial vessels carrying ballast water.

According to Boat U.S., the 650,000-member advocate for recreational boaters, the proposed Clean Boating Act of 2008 does not weaken any existing environmental laws that restrict the overboard discharge of oil, fuel, garbage, or sewage.

On May 21 the Senate version of the bill, S. 2766, moved out of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee following an identical House version, H.R. 5949, which moved out of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee on May 15. Both bills are now headed to the full houses.

Boat U.S. also said help is needed to convert the 93 House sponsors who had previously co-sponsored a similar House bill, H.R. 2550 — now dormant — to be co-sponsors of the newest version, H.R. 5949.

To easily contact your federal legislators or learn more about the issue, go to http://www.BoatBlue.org or http://www.BoatUS.com/gov.
http://www.theithacajournal.com/apps/pb ... 30324/1006
Finger Lakes Mill Creek Cabins
http://www.fingerlakescabins.com
Post Reply