EPA Ruling

[bh/]

I got this notice in a e-msg today;

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!

Apparently this act prevents discharge of oily bilge water in inland waters. Small recreational boats would have needed to fit tanks to hold their bilge water, and have it pumped out at a dock. Whether this would have affected race boats, I dont know. But at least now it will not.
Just shows what a good lobbying action can do, especially in an election year.

[RichardKCMo]

Her's what my senator said!!!

Brian, this is what my senator sent me back after notifying her with my int.



Dear Mr. Fountain:

Thank you for contacting me about the Clean Boating Act of 2008, S.2766. I appreciate hearing from you and welcome the opportunity to respond.

As you know, Senator Bill Nelson (D-FL) has introduced the Clean Boating Act, which would make a permanent distinction between recreational boat discharges and commercial ship discharges. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has made this distinction for over 35 years, but a recent court ruling stated the EPA did not have the authority to do so. Consequently, recreational boaters are now required to get costly waste water permits from the EPA. S.2766 has been referred to the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee where it awaits further action.

Whether it’s speeding around the Lake of the Ozarks or going to the favorite fishing spot at Mark Twain Lake, recreational boating is a favorite pastime for many Missourians, including myself. Missourians enjoy boating, and I certainly do not want to place unnecessary burdens that prevent them from doing so. I will strongly consider supporting S.2766 should it come before me on the Senate floor.

Thank you again for contacting me. I hope you will continue to reach out with your thoughts and advice.

All best,
Senator Claire McCaskill

See politicians aren't all bad!!!!


Glad to see something pos. from gov. for a change
RichardKCMo

[Bill Huson]

Thank goodness . . .

Apparently the way the laws read would have made it a punishable crime to wash your boat while it sat in the water. And even if you were sinking hefty fines would result from turning on the bilge pump!

Of course this new bill doesn't relieve recreational boaters from the crapper rule: "Thou shalt not pump your waste tank overboard." The EPA and USCG will smote your stern for that. However, you can still hang the evacuating parts over the side and sprinkle and/or bomb the water directly! But if you're shy and do your bidness in the head you're stuck with the goo until you find a pump out station.

As for race boats - I encourage everyone to prevent fuel spills on the ground or in the water. Carry a dump can. Use it.

[Kev43V]

the absorbant pads are handy. they do not suck up water but do absorb any petro. distilants. in fact they even float on water as they were designed for spill clean up. pretty much the same material as the floating booms used on water to contain and absorb spills. I forgot to remind people at candlewick they can be wrung out into a pan and reused. so i hope everyone saved theirs!