Recreational Boating Act of 2007

[Rick Klages]

November 28, 2007


Dear BoatUS Member, (and everyone else please - Rick)

Your voice counts! And we need it to make sure the Recreational Boating Act of 2007 is passed quickly. Without this federal legislation you will need to apply and pay for a discharge permit to legally operate each of your boats, starting September 30, 2008.

Please take a few minutes and contact your one Representative and two Senators, even if you have already done so. We need them to support and co-sponsor "The Recreational Boating Act of 2007" (House Bill #2550 and Senate Bill #2067).

Because one of your Senators is on the Environment and Public Works Committee, which can move or stall the Senate Bill, it is especially important that you act now.

BoatUS has been working with other boating groups to pass this legislation which will eliminate (for recreational boats only) the new court-imposed EPA permit. We know that boating depends on clean water and healthy natural resources. However, a boat permit will not create a tangible environmental benefit, and it will be another inconvenience and tax for you.

It is important to note that all current environmental restrictions on the overboard discharge of oil, fuel, garbage, and sewage still stand, and will not be altered by this legislation.

Help boating by contacting your Representative and Senators:

Ask that they co-sponsor and support House Bill #2550 and Senate Bill #2067 which reinstate the common sense discharge permit exemption for recreational boats.

Help them understand the looming permit deadline of 9/30/08.

If one of your Members of Congress is co-sponsoring the bill, please say thanks!

Click here to see co-sponsors for the House Bill

The 10 co-sponsors on the Senate Bill are: Martinez (FL), Bunning (KY), Chambliss (GA), Dole and Burr (NC), Isakson (GA), Sessions (AL), Cornyn and Hutchison (TX), and Lott (MS).




For background information:

www.boatus.com/gov/fed_alert.asp

Click Here to pass this email on to boating and fishing friends, clubs, and marinas.


Thanks for adding your voice to this critical boating issue.

Margaret Podlich
Vice President, Government Affairs
BoatUS
GovtAffairs@BoatUS.com
703-461-2878 x8363

P.S. We know that we are asking you to take several steps to email your Members of Congress, and we hope that you'll persevere through it. Santa has promised us new grassroots software that will make articulating and contacting your Representatives and Senators easier in the New Year!

*****

© 2007 Boat Owners Association of The United States
880 S. Pickett St.
Alexandria, VA 22304

All Rights Reserved

[curtisv]

Rick,

Any update on this?

I'm not a boat US member and don't plan to join because they are too motorboat oriented and have opposed environmental legislation at time when it was quite reasonable.  They seem to represent the boat manufacturers and boating industry much more than boaters.

I don't see that there is any indication that authorities are going to take the drastic interpretation of declaring the water draining out of your cockpit as a wastewater discharge.  If you have a head that pumps overboard or a bilge pump and an inboard motor they might.

I don't think I want to support boat US on this partially just given their prior record.  This seems to me like a boat US smoke screen.  The extent of the ruling is under appeal and the EPA is looking at making recommendations.  Other discharges are being considered, such as bilge oil and other topics examined such as bottom paint.  The legislation as described would exempt the boating industry for all of that permanently, which would suit the boat manufacturers fine, but as a boater I don't support this.

Curtis

[Rick Klages]

BoatUS has been working with other boating groups to pass this legislation which will eliminate (for recreational boats only) the new court-imposed EPA permit. We know that boating depends on clean water and healthy natural resources. However, a boat permit will not create a tangible environmental benefit, and it will be another inconvenience and tax for you.

It is important to note that all current environmental restrictions on the overboard discharge of oil, fuel, garbage, and sewage still stand, and will not be altered by this legislation.


^^^^This is what is central to the issue.  Not an Us (sailors) vs. Them (motor boaters) dispute.  It's about not getting nailed with another "tax".  This legislation has nothing to do with the builders lobby. It has to do with a federal govenment agency making you pay to enjoy your activity.  If you have deep pockets good for you.  I for one give enough to the government.  As far as I am concerned they don't spend very much of what I give them on anything I give a damn about.