April 17, 2008

US - In total, 22 senators have signed onto the legislation, which exempts recreational boaters and anglers from the federal and state permitting requirements under the Clean Water Act, and ensures recreational boaters and anglers will not need a federal permit to operate their boats.
“The most important thing from our standpoint is that the public realizes, and Congress realizes, the critical nature of this issue,” Scott Gudes, vice president of government relations for the NMMA, told Soundings Trade Only. “It is absolutely absurd to have an onerous federal permit system just to operate one’s boat.”

Gudes also noted the importance of having a cross section of legislators from both parties supporting the bill.

The issue of new federal permits stems from a September 2006 U.S. District Court ruling that ordered the Environmental Protection Agency to regulate ballast water discharges, and mandated a deadline of September 2008 to put it in place.

Although the litigation was aimed at ocean-going vessels, the court’s ruling struck down an exemption that applied to the incidental discharges from all vessels, including recreational boats, since 1973.

The Clean Boating Act was introduced by Sen. Bill Nelson, D-Fla., and Senate Environment and Public Works Chairwoman Barbara Boxer, D-Calif.

Others co-sponsoring the legislation are: David Vitter, R-La.; Ben Cardin, D-Md.; Barbara Mikulski, D-Md.; Olympia J. Snowe, R-Maine; Susan Collins, R-Maine; Johnny Isakson, R-Ga.; Saxby Chambliss, R-Ga.; Thad Cochran, R-Miss.; Mike Crapo, R-Idaho; Larry Craig, R-Idaho; Jack Reed, D-R.I.; Sheldon Whitehouse, D-R.I.; George Voinovich, R-Ohio; Carl Levin, D-Mich.; Debbie Stabenow, D-Mich.; Richard Burr, R-N.C.; Elizabeth Dole, R-N.C.; Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif.; Evan Bayh, D-Ind. and Bob Corker, R-Tenn.

The bill is in the Environment and Public Works Committee and needs a favorable report to move to the full Senate. From there, it would need the support of the U.S. House of Representatives before going to President George W. Bush for a signature.

For information about the Clean Boating Act of 2008, go to http://www.boatblue.org.

Dear Mr. Long,

Thank you for contacting me regarding S. 2766, the Clean Boating
Act of 2008. With over 610,000 registered boats in Wisconsin,
boating is among the state's favorite pastimes, and is important not
only for recreation, but also for the economy.

As you know, S. 2766 was proposed by Senator Bill Nelson (D-
FL) on March 13, 2008. This bill would amend the Clean Water
Act by exempting recreational vessels from the Act's permitting
requirements for point source discharges, such as ballast water and
run-off. S. 2766 has been referred to the Senate Committee on
Environment and Public Works. While I am not a member of this
committee, I will be sure to keep your thoughts in mind should
this, or similar legislation come before the full Senate.

You may also be interested to know that on June 26, 2007, my
Senate colleagues and I passed a resolution by unanimous consent
designating July 1, 2007, as "National Boating Day." This
resolution honors the boating industry for its environmental
stewardship and contributions to the economy and to the mental
and physical health of those who enjoy boats.

Thanks again for contacting me. Please feel free to so in the future
on this, or any other issue of concern to you.


Sincerely,

Russell D. Feingold
United States Senator