New regulation could cost boaters

Posted on Apr 7, 2008 12:11:14 PM

It seemed like a good idea at the time - however, an EPA permitting program to help save the environment from pollution and foreign invasive species, brings recreational boaters and anglers under the same regulations as commercial seagoing ships.

In response to a court case about ballast water from foreign ships, a California court ordered the Environmental Protection Agency to come up with a permitting system to regulate ballast water discharge by September 2008 to help control pollution and invasive species from fouling our coastlines and waterways.

But best of intentions are not always the best or at least that is what Senators Bill Nelson from Florida and Barbara Boxer of California felt when they introduced bill S. 2766, the Clean Boating Act of 2008, into the U. S. Senate on March 13.

The EPA permitting program eliminates a previous exclusion for recreational boats and charter operations that distinguish them from seagoing commercial and cruise ships.

With the EPA program, recreational boaters will need to get a state or federal permit for discharges such as engine cooling water, uncontaminated bilge water and weather deck runoff. For the family boater and angler, that means permitting fees, red tape and enforcement issues.

Oil, raw sewage, hazardous pollutants and garbage are already regulated and would not be affected.

"It's an overly broad decision and congress needs to step in and change it," said Bryan Gulley, spokesman for Nelson's office.

"It's only been out there for three weeks - the more boaters hear about it, the more pressure they can put to do something about it."

The bill has been referred to the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works, of which co-sponsor Boxer is chairman.

Gulley said boaters that want to restore the exclusion for recreational boaters should contact their legislators and encourage them to pass the Clean Boating Act.

If that happens I'm gonna go back to being a rider lol

They want us to fish, they just want more of our arse, not to mention another reason to "stop by & say hello".  (this is not a political statement, so please don't kick me off the site)