North Carolina Fishing Reports

offshore

NEWS From BoatUS
Boat Owners Association of The United States
880 S. Pickett St., Alexandria, VA 22304
BoatUS News Room at BoatUS.com: News Room

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Press Contact: Scott Croft, 703-461-2864, SCroft@BoatUS.com

Boaters Need Legislators To Act Quickly On
Newly-Introduced "Clean Boating Act Of 2008"

Bi-Partisan Legislation Would Permanently Restore
Clean Water Act Exemption for Recreational Boats

WASHINGTON, DC, March 19, 2008 - A newly introduced Senate bill, "The Clean Boating Act of 2008" (S. 2766) promises to be practical solution to a looming permit deadline for recreational boaters, anglers, and charter boats.

Because of a lawsuit targeting ocean-going commercial vessels carrying ballast water, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is required to implement an "operational discharge permit" for all vessels in the United States - including recreational boats - by September 30, 2008. Without a change in law, all boaters will need to obtain this permit, as early as this summer.

However, with a possible Senate vote in the next few months, Boat Owners Association of The United States (BoatUS) is urging recreational boaters to quickly contact their Senate and House legislators to support The Clean Boating Act of 2008.

S. 2766 was introduced on Thursday, March 13 by Senate Environment and Public Works Chairwoman Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.) and Sen. Bill Nelson (D-Fla.). It follows two bills originally introduced in the spring and fall of 2007 as "The Recreational Boating Act of 2007" (H.R. 2550/S. 2067) by Representatives Gene Taylor (D-Miss.) and Candice Miller (R-Mich.) and Senator Mel Martinez (R-Fla.).

"Sens. Boxer and Nelson's bill now has the best chance of gaining widespread political support. As a result, we need every boater, every angler, and anyone who uses a boat to contact their senators and representatives to ask for their support of this bill," said BoatUS Vice President of Government Affairs Margaret Podlich.

"S. 2766 recognizes the fact that normal operational discharges from recreational boats, such as engine cooling water or deck runoff from rain, should not be viewed under the Clean Water Act as being similar to a commercial ship's ballast water," said Podlich. "This bill does not weaken any existing environmental laws restricting the overboard discharge of oil, fuel, garbage, or sewage."

S. 2766 also requires the EPA and US Coast Guard to investigate the need for potential management practices for some recreational boat discharges over the next three years. Each step in this development process will include a public comment period and be subject to "reasonable and practical" criterion.

"BoatUS has been working with the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) and other groups to seek a viable recreational boating solution to the upcoming September permit deadline. We appreciate the leadership shown by members of Congress who understand that applying a new permit to recreational boating will not accomplish anything tangible, and will only create a new unnecessary bureaucracy, " added Podlich.

To help boaters contact their federal legislators or learn more about the issue, go to BoatBlue.org or BoatUS.com: Government Affairs

BoatUS is the nation's leading advocate for recreational boaters with over 650,000 members.
_________________

" TinaLouise "

Schneeky · Posted: Thu Mar 20, 2008 3:40 pm Post subject:

offshore · Posted: Thu Mar 20, 2008 4:37 pm Post subject:

You can read more here.http://boatblue.org/
My understanding it is allrecreational boats including your Whaler!! So if you want another permit you really dont have to do anything. But please dont complain when you have to purchase a permit to run your bildge discharge pump. ....Mark
_________________

" TinaLouise "

mscheyenne · Posted: Thu Mar 20, 2008 8:52 pm Post subject:

Schneeky,I agree with you on the Boxer thang.Better watch out,there has to be something in there for her and the tree hugging agenda.

Schneeky · Posted: Thu Mar 20, 2008 10:25 pm Post subject:

..If ya want some confusion read the Exclusions on Pages 2 & 3 for the definition of a "recreational vessel".. Looks like it's gonna be up to whoever's doing the interpretation of the reg and how they choose to enforce it.. Which we know how that works out.. In one instance it's recreational if the vessel is "leased,rented or chartered to a person for the pleasure of that person".. And in the Exclusions you're not recreational for carrying "paying passengers".. Sounds kindof like a charter to me..

Best as I can decipher the "legal-ese", it seems that what this does is possibly get recreational boaters off the hook for now, but subjects us to other interpretations/restrictions at the discretion of some unknown entities a year later when the dems and their greenies are in control.. Funny how that works out for boxer-shorts.. That's the catch-all that needs to be watched..

..It's a short, but annoying PDF file.. But we oughtta read it anyways.. "The Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating" WTF is that.? Do they change that often.? Laughing

DOC Link

Offshore- Trying to brow-beat me on political apathy is a waste.. The "Gun Guys" got all my "political energy" and now I tell them and their "mousse-headed operatives" to kiss my lilly-white azz.. All of it.. They're extremely effecient at shaking money from your pockets while you're jumping at shadows.. So please s'cuse my cynicism.. Cool

..But thanks for the heads-up for sure.!! We do need to read this and keep up with what goes on.. Mebbe someone more astute can interpret the jargon fer us imbeciles.. d:^) Schneeky..
_________________
Communicate & Adapt Diggit.?
There's no tellin' what kindof boat I'll have this week.
Available & equipped for bottom fishin.

offshore · Posted: Thu Mar 20, 2008 10:38 pm Post subject:

Offshore- Trying to brow-beat me on political apathy is a waste.. Schneeky..[/quote]

Where you got this from I dont know. I thought this sites patrons like to stay up on this kind of thing. Just trying to put some information out for those that might want to look and take some action to prevent another worthless permit for those who dont need it. I might not agree with most politicians and might not like them but if they are on the same sheet of music or might help that one percent I will listen.........Mark
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" TinaLouise "

ScottK · Ol'Salt Joined: Sep 25, 2006 Posts: 152

Mark....thanks for staying on top of things. Forums like these give concerned users like you a voice to get news out that may affect us all in one way or another, sometimes a vital heads up can bolster all of our positions on topics that change the way we all boat, fish, and use maritime recreational resources.

Thank you and keep posting man!

On another note.....I will try to make the trailering meeting, no promises due to workload but I am concerned because I have no weight on my registration. I have the all inclusive "Excursion" as you know. I hope some Reps turn out.

Your posts are read and appreciated man....Keep up the good work!

Capt_Dave · Posted: Fri Mar 21, 2008 5:11 am Post subject:

offshore · Posted: Thu Apr 03, 2008 10:43 am Post subject:

A well known boat builder in NC has asked to push this back to the top. Thanks for looking...Mark

EPA is trying to require all recreational boaters to obtain a permit in order to operate their boat. These permits would apply to deck run-of, bilge water, engine cooling water and any other water-based, operational discharge from a recreational boat. Please contact your legislators by going to http://www.boatus.com/gov/actionalert_1107.asp and following the steps outlined on the site.
_________________

" TinaLouise "

SouthernSon · Posted: Thu Apr 03, 2008 2:10 pm Post subject:

I sent mine.

Darn, bureaucrats!

Baitsaver · Posted: Thu Apr 03, 2008 3:05 pm Post subject:

I don't see any way this can pass. They want to regulate the deck runoff on my boat? Good luck.
Murphy was an optimist.
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Pursuit 2350 w/twin Johnson 140s
Whaler thats older than I am, and in better shape

baitboy · Ol'Salt Joined: Jan 27, 2008 Posts: 122

What next a permit to have a cooler with a drain on it. Sounds like another wonderful money deal to me.

Timbo · Posted: Thu Apr 03, 2008 7:23 pm Post subject:

I'm a BoatUS member and have been reading about this as well. I sent my letter off a couple of weeks ago.
_________________
"REEL PALS"
Fountain 31ft
Tournament Edition

offshore · Posted: Thu Apr 03, 2008 8:22 pm Post subject:

Just more BS to deal with!! Between this and the trailer thing I am wore out. Damnit I just want to go Tuna fishing!!!!!!!!Mark
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" TinaLouise "


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