I got this info from another site, thought it might be of interest. >

Recreational Boating Act 2007

In September, 2006, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals struck down a 34-year-old exemption for recreational boats from an EPA regulation intended to stop ballast water discharge from ocean-going freighters and tankers in U.S. waters. If a higher court or the U.S. Congress does not act, 18 million boats will be required to have special EPA permits that will cost $800 or more. If you own a boat FRESHWATER or SALTWATER that exhaust water or returns water like live well or bilge water back into the waterway you will be paying over $800 annual fees if this new law isn't over turned. This affects you, it's a nation wide law, not just CA.

http://www.boattest.com/nmma.aspx

HELP STOP THE MADNESS!!!

I watched the littlle interview and what a bunch of *****. I do have one question would that be for boats that are used in both fresh and salt water? Personally boats that are used only in freshwater i don't think would need a permit , for example me in Kansas, i doubt i will ever put my boat on the ocean, so that d**n permit would just cause me a headache. I don't see the law getting passed just my opnion.

Anglers in Alabama banded together and stopped Alabama Fish and Game from spraying hydrilla in Guntersville. We must do the same if this gets anywhere near passing.

Let's remember, laws like this are designed to protect our waters.  Granted, they may cost money or be a pain in the butt but I know I don't want a zebra mussel population in MY lake!!

I'm all for laws that protect our waters, but paying $800 - $2000 to permit a bass boat or a small recreational boat is a bit much, IMO.  Is this a one time fee or is it yearly?

I would like to read other sources on this to make sure there isn't some piece of information that we're missing.  

Let's remember, laws like this are designed to protect our waters. Granted, they may cost money or be a pain in the butt but I know I don't want a zebra mussel population in MY lake!!

LBH,

You are right that these laws are for protecting our waters, but I don't think the law was made for freshwater boats in lakes and rivers inside this country. These laws were made for foriegn boats that come into this country. The Ninth Circuit Court always passes judgement in a very liberal fashion in regards to the environment. If their mandate stands all boats, including electric powered Jon boats that may happen to discharge ANY water, even water from the same lake that you are in to be charged a fee.

Hey, this could be very serious stuff!  See page 13 of the June Issue of Bass Times.  They are talking about a $1500 tax.  LBH, I love you man, but passing a tax isn't going to, by itself' protect our waters.  It just an additional tax that will hit every boat owner that has a livewell or bilge pump.  I don't know yet if this is an annual tax or one time tax.  But regardless, it will be devastating to the fishing industry.  I could afford this tax, but there are many that could not.  This will definitely hurt the fishing industry as we know it.

I just wrote the ditor of Bass Times and asked him to get his magazine involved in providing names, contact numbers of legislators that will have a role in the decision to tax us all.  I will let you all know the response I receive.  However, we all need to keep our eyes and ears open abpout this.  This is bull crap! >