New law

[Trojan]

Anyone know the outcome of the new/old dumping bilge water law. It was supposed to have been voted on last Thursday at 2:30. If the new law does not pass all boaters will have to pay $1,500. for a permit. Just to put any boat in the water.

BILL

[Trojan]

Something as important as this and know one has the answer. If it didn't pass? Next year every boat in the US will pay $1500. for a sticker to put on your boat. We are talking ANYTHING that floats. Someone must know or know where to find out.

BILL

[SKYCHENEY]

Screw 'em, I'm not buying one. If we all say that then what are they going to do?

[DickB]

I asked my daughter about this one. She's a lobbiest in DC for Assoc Genl Contractors. I'm a little foggy on the story, but last fall, some cowboy judge sided with the tree huggers and ruled that to dump ballast water, an EPA permit is required. (The issue was ballast water, not bilge water.)

Unfortunately, either intentionally or unintentionally, the ruling was applied to all boats with motors as their cooling water, gray water, deck runoff, bilge water, etc. was linked with ballast water. This ruling is to be effective Sept 2008.

There is a Senate as well as a House bill which would codify the old rules (i.e., it would exempt recreational motor boats from the permit process). There is little action right now on either bill.

There's a bit more info on the subject at www.boatblue.org. It probably would be a good idea for all of us to start writing our elected officials.

Dick

[Trojan]

According to the email from Boat Us I received last Tuesday. I was to call my State Rep. and voice my opinion Wednesday. Because it was to be voted on Thursday at 2:30. They said it wasn't just ballast water, but all water as in any water bring removed from any type of boat. I'm not sure that I could afford the fine of not having the sticker. It looks like your Daughter is on the right track. I'm going to try and email Boat Us.

Bill

[Trojan]

I reThanks for your email about the Nelson Amendment. Yesterday was an
interesting day in DC, and at the end of the day, we are doing better on
this issue, though we still have miles to go.

First, I want to thank you for taking the time, on very short notice, to
let your Senator know how you feel on the impending EPA permit
requirement. As BoatU.S. talked with different Senate staff yesterday
before the hearing, it was apparent that many phones had rung off the
hook overnight. And at the hearing it was apparent that Senators have
noticed that recreational boats should not be required to have a permit.
Hurray!

At the hearing, Senator Nelson introduced and withdrew his amendment,
but not before getting a very strong statement from Senator Boxer (D-CA)
that they will work on a solution for recreational boating, so boats
don't need to get a permit. This is a great step in the right
direction, and to have these two people say (very publicly) that
recreational boats should not need a permit is super good news.

If you are from either Florida or California, and can make one more
call, it would be great to call Senator Nelson or Senator Boxer and say
"Thank You" for committing yesterday to helping recreational boaters so
they won't need an EPA permit.

Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA) phone: (202) 224-3553
Senator Bill Nelson (D-FL) phone: (202)224-5274

We have a lot more work to do to make this philosophical stance meld
into legislation. In the coming months, we'll be continuing this quest.
Make sure we have your current email address, so we can continue to
communicate with you. If you change emails, please let us know at
membership@boatus.com

Thanks again, for helping this week!

Margaret Podlich

Vice President

BoatU.S. Government Affairs

BILL

[the kuz]

I was told yesterday that this proposal has come back to life again and Sens Boxer/Nelson are pushing for Senate passage of law (2008 clean boating act) to exempt recreational boaters from a federal EPA permit for any/all discharge. Anyone know what's up? Ill try to do some research and post results/ID number for bill.
Regards, Bob K

[the kuz]

Looks like latest info has been updated at www.boatblue.org. Not sure when vote is sheduled in the Senate. Regards, Bob K

[Pascal]

seems like the bill doesn't include commercial vessels... so charters, even non inspected, will still have to pay.

[smoothmove]

Just sent a letter to Barrack Obama reminding him that he is an honorary member of our Yacht Club and that he should support Senate Bill 2766. What do you suppose are the odds that he will ever get to read that? Kinda busy these days I hear.
Eric