All, I AM NOT MAKING THIS UP!
If nothing is done, in September we will ALL have to get a federal or state water pollution permit for all incidental discharges (that means engine cooling water, bilge water, etc.). These incidental discharges have been exempt from permit since 1973, but we got snared in Environmentalists who pursued a legal challenge for ballast water discharges from ocean going vessels. The EPC issued a common sense exclusion from the requirements of the Clean Water Act in 1973 for these discharges. That changed in 2006 when a well-intentioned U.S. Disctrict Judge in California (surprise surprise...sorry editorial comment) nullified the exemption, deciding the EPA did not have the authority to issue it - after ALL these years. The case is under appeal, but the EPA is mandated to move on the premit program this fall.
Senators Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.) and Bill Nelson (D-Fla.) have just introduced S. 2766, the Clean Boating Act of 2008. S. 2766 would fully and permanently restore a 35-year permit exemption for recreational boat incidental discharges, such as weather deck run-off and engine coolant water, and works to protect the health of the nation's waterways by pursuing whether or not reasonable and practicable best management practices need to be put into place for some incidental discharges. This important bill preserves recreational boating and the boating industry, taking a balanced approached that recognizes that pleasure boat discharges are completely different from land-based industrial facilities and commercial ships.
Unless Congress acts soon, every recreational boater in the country will have to obtain a federal or state permit in order to operate their boat. This means yearly fees, bureaucratic red tape, confusing and potentially state-by-state regulations, citizen suits and $32,000 per day penalties for non-compliance. These permits would apply to deck run-off, bilge water, engine cooling water and any other water-based, operational discharge from a recreational boat. The Environmental Protection Agency, due to a sweeping court order, is already writing this unprecedented new regulation on boaters.
National Marine Manufacturers Association has been working with a broad coalition of stakeholders, including BoatU.S., to resolve this problem in advance of the permitting deadline. And it's important to note that there is strong bipartisan efforts over the last year to provide relief including the leadership of Sen. Mel Martinez (R-Fla.), Representatives Gene Taylor (D-Miss.) and Candice Miller (R- Mich.), who have also introduced legislation to address this matter.
But if Congress must now enact this legislation before the clock runs out on America's recreational boaters, WE ALL GOT TROUBLE. Remember, the court ruled in 2006 and almost two years later they have not passed the necessary legislation.
I should add a poll to this: Will congress act this summer before the September deadline:
Yes
No
No Way - they cannot seem to get anything done
Thougts?
If nothing is done, in September we will ALL have to get a federal or state water pollution permit for all incidental discharges (that means engine cooling water, bilge water, etc.). These incidental discharges have been exempt from permit since 1973, but we got snared in Environmentalists who pursued a legal challenge for ballast water discharges from ocean going vessels. The EPC issued a common sense exclusion from the requirements of the Clean Water Act in 1973 for these discharges. That changed in 2006 when a well-intentioned U.S. Disctrict Judge in California (surprise surprise...sorry editorial comment) nullified the exemption, deciding the EPA did not have the authority to issue it - after ALL these years. The case is under appeal, but the EPA is mandated to move on the premit program this fall.
Senators Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.) and Bill Nelson (D-Fla.) have just introduced S. 2766, the Clean Boating Act of 2008. S. 2766 would fully and permanently restore a 35-year permit exemption for recreational boat incidental discharges, such as weather deck run-off and engine coolant water, and works to protect the health of the nation's waterways by pursuing whether or not reasonable and practicable best management practices need to be put into place for some incidental discharges. This important bill preserves recreational boating and the boating industry, taking a balanced approached that recognizes that pleasure boat discharges are completely different from land-based industrial facilities and commercial ships.
Unless Congress acts soon, every recreational boater in the country will have to obtain a federal or state permit in order to operate their boat. This means yearly fees, bureaucratic red tape, confusing and potentially state-by-state regulations, citizen suits and $32,000 per day penalties for non-compliance. These permits would apply to deck run-off, bilge water, engine cooling water and any other water-based, operational discharge from a recreational boat. The Environmental Protection Agency, due to a sweeping court order, is already writing this unprecedented new regulation on boaters.
National Marine Manufacturers Association has been working with a broad coalition of stakeholders, including BoatU.S., to resolve this problem in advance of the permitting deadline. And it's important to note that there is strong bipartisan efforts over the last year to provide relief including the leadership of Sen. Mel Martinez (R-Fla.), Representatives Gene Taylor (D-Miss.) and Candice Miller (R- Mich.), who have also introduced legislation to address this matter.
But if Congress must now enact this legislation before the clock runs out on America's recreational boaters, WE ALL GOT TROUBLE. Remember, the court ruled in 2006 and almost two years later they have not passed the necessary legislation.
I should add a poll to this: Will congress act this summer before the September deadline:
Yes
No
No Way - they cannot seem to get anything done
Thougts?
Comment