Boaters and everyone: Be aware of this new law

[Pillager]

I don't think all boaters want to have to pay for another permit, and this one could be very pricey.  Please, everyone pay attention to this.  Spread the word in other clubs and message boards!

Copied this from the PA Bass message board posted by Bill Reichert, state conservation director for the Pennsylvania Bass Federation, Inc.:

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The Threat. A new EPA regulation that would require National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits for all recreational boats that have incidental discharges. The proposed regulations are a result of a court order directing the EPA to stop exempting recreational boats as a significant source of incidental discharges. These incidental discharges include engine cooling water, deck run-off, live-well discharges, etc. Essentially, any bass boat in the United States would be required to obtain an NPDES permit under the new EPA regulations expected later this year.

The Clean Boating ACT of 2008. Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA) and Senator Bill Nelson (D-FL) have introduced S. 2766, also known as the Clean Boating ACT of 2008. This act offers an effective compromise by permanently reinstating the previous exemption for recreational boaters, while also protecting our waters by evaluating whether additional, reasonable best management practices need to be implemented for some incidental discharges. Passage of this bill would still protect our waterways from harmful ballast water discharges from commercial vessels, while removing the undue burden that would otherwise be placed on recreational boaters.

HOW YOU CAN HELP! Now that the bill has been introduced, we need cosponsors. Contact your senators and urge them to co-sponsor S. 2766. You can do this quickly and easily by visiting www.boatblue.org a national organization of partners that is dedicated to the future of boating and clean water.
Take the time to make a difference for your boating future today

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Here is a direct link to fill out a form to your senators.

Link:  http://www.capwiz.com/boatblue/issues/alert/?alertid=11149271&PROCESS=Take+Action

[heart99]

I don't think all boaters want to have to pay for another permit, and this one could be very pricey.  Please, everyone pay attention to this.  Spread the word in other clubs and message boards!

Copied this from the PA Bass message board posted by Bill Reichert, state conservation director for the Pennsylvania Bass Federation, Inc.:

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Threat. A new EPA regulation that would require National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits for all recreational boats that have incidental discharges. The proposed regulations are a result of a court order directing the EPA to stop exempting recreational boats as a significant source of incidental discharges. These incidental discharges include engine cooling water, deck run-off, live-well discharges, etc. Essentially, any bass boat in the United States would be required to obtain an NPDES permit under the new EPA regulations expected later this year.

The Clean Boating ACT of 2008. Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA) and Senator Bill Nelson (D-FL) have introduced S. 2766, also known as the Clean Boating ACT of 2008. This act offers an effective compromise by permanently reinstating the previous exemption for recreational boaters, while also protecting our waters by evaluating whether additional, reasonable best management practices need to be implemented for some incidental discharges. Passage of this bill would still protect our waterways from harmful ballast water discharges from commercial vessels, while removing the undue burden that would otherwise be placed on recreational boaters.

HOW YOU CAN HELP! Now that the bill has been introduced, we need cosponsors. Contact your senators and urge them to co-sponsor S. 2766. You can do this quickly and easily by visiting www.boatblue.org a national organization of partners that is dedicated to the future of boating and clean water.
Take the time to make a difference for your boating future today

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Here is a direct link to fill out a form to your senators.

Link:  http://www.capwiz.com/boatblue/issues/alert/?alertid=11149271&PROCESS=Take+Action

Please share with us what is that new law so that we could be aware on it. Thank you!



_________________
California Orange County Lawyer

[bassboogieman]

EasY solution:  The major recreational boating manufacturers join together and GIVE every Senator and Congressman a boat.  Problem solved.

[Eli]

EPA Discharge Permit Requirement for Recreational Boats

President Bush Signs Clean Boating Act of 2008!
July 30, 2008
It's a great day for boating! Last night on the way home from Ohio on Air Force One, the President signed S. 2766 "The Clean Boating Act of 2008" into law. This picture shows Representatives Steven C. LaTourette (R-OH), a champion of this common sense legislation and Patrick Tiberi (R-OH). Thank you to the thousands of boaters nationwide who helped get this important bill passed into law!

To view a copy of S. 2766, "The Clean Boating Act of 2008" Click Here.

Margaret Podlich

VP Government Affairs, BoatU.S.

[Eli]

This Act may be cited as the `Clean Boating Act of 2008'.
SEC. 2. DISCHARGES INCIDENTAL TO THE NORMAL OPERATION OF
RECREATIONAL VESSELS.
Section 402 of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C.
1342) is amended by adding at the end the following:
`(r) Discharges Incidental to the Normal Operation of Recreational
Vessels- No permit shall be required under this Act by the
Administrator (or a State, in the case of a permit program approved
under subsection (b)) for the discharge of any graywater, bilge water,
cooling water, weather deck runoff, oil water separator effluent, or
effluent from properly functioning marine engines, or any other
discharge that is incidental to the normal operation of a vessel, if the
discharge is from a recreational vessel.'.
SEC. 3. DEFINITION.
Section 502 of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C.
1362) is amended by adding at the end the following:
`(25) RECREATIONAL VESSEL-
`(A) IN GENERAL- The term `recreational vessel' means
any vessel that is--
`(i) manufactured or used primarily for pleasure;
or
`(ii) leased, rented, or chartered to a person for
the pleasure of that person.
`(B) EXCLUSION- The term `recreational vessel' does not
include a vessel that is subject to Coast Guard inspection
and that--
`(i) is engaged in commercial use; or
`(ii) carries paying passengers.'.
SEC. 4. MANAGEMENT PRACTICES FOR RECREATIONAL VESSELS.

[Eli]

http://www.boatus.com/gov/documents/S2766_000.pdf