Boaters Take Action!
 

Bill Protects Boating and Aquatic Resources
The Threat to Recreational Boating.

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.

Recreational boating is one of the most enjoyable American pastimes for 73 million boaters nationwide to spend time together outside enjoying our natural treasures with friends and family. But, unless Congressional action is taken soon to pass S. 2766, the Clean Boating Act of 2008, the estimated 18 million recreational boats in this country could be subjected to sweeping new regulations and permit requirements intended for commercial ships with ballast water tanks, preventing boaters from enjoying this great past time. ...


Click the following link, from here you can write your local congressman. I did it, it only takes a few minutes.

http://www.capwiz.com/boatblue/

Interesting.

I'm exempt.. i'm canadian. Bring your boats up here and boat here! Mariah raft party .. canadian style. :D

I wonder if clean boating applies to those Aussies?
:D

There you have it!

The Mariah Owners First Annual Northern Tour Raft-up Party at Ryan's Place. I'm in!


S.L.P.

Hey I like that :wink_thumbup:

There is a nice anchorage on Lake Couchiching (coo-cha-ching) on the north side of of Chief Island. I hope to investigate that at some point in time this summer.

That sounds like a wonderful sight. A few hundred Mariahs all together getting wet. Wow:wink_thumbup: As you can probably guess, I am ALL IN.

I have never heard of clean boating..... would it mean you have to wear a suit and tie and not swear??
Drive your boats over to here, now THAT would be fun. I will supply the beer when you get here.

Just received an email from BoatUS Leglislation today. No more threats of permits for recreational boaters!

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Dear BoatU.S. Member,

Thanks to some great teamwork, the threat of a new EPA discharge permit for all your boats is gone!

On Tuesday night, President Bush signed into law "The Clean Boating Act of 2008," which gives recreational boats a permanent exemption for the court imposed EPA discharge permit.

I thank each of you for helping create this victory for boating. Every time we asked for your help, you were there to push the legislation further down the path towards successful passage. You contacted your Members of Congress and helped them understand the importance of boating in your life. And Congress heard the loud voices of tens of thousands of boaters! Nice work!

Enjoy the rest of the summer on the water!

Margaret Podlich
Vice President of Government Affairs
BoatU.S.
[email protected]

For more information on this topic please visit www.boatus.com/gov.
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