Date: 07/10/2008 BLUERIBBON COALITION ACTION ALERT!
Dear BRC Action Alert Subscriber,
Time Is Running Out For America's Recreational Boaters
Please take time to review this alert. We think it is important that you understand the current status of the Clean Boating Act of 2008. Without this federal legislation, recreational boaters will need to apply and pay for a discharge permit to legally operate their boats starting September 30, 2008. This will include personal watercraft (PWC.)
The Clean Boating Act of 2008 (S. 2766/H.R. 5949) is a strong, bipartisan bill that emerged out of a consensus process in order to prevent the unnecessary and unprecedented EPA/state permitting requirements of America's recreational boats for their incidental, overboard water discharges. On June 26, 2008, the bill was brought up in the Senate on an expedited voting procedure known as a Unanimous Consent Agreement. One Senator objected to the bill, proposing instead that the legislation be expanded to include some commercial vessels. Under the Senate rules, the objection has prevented the bill from moving forward.
Commercial advocates and other interest groups are actively opposing the Clean Boating Act, even if doing so means that there will be no legislative relief for anyone. The recreational boating community is sympathetic to the concerns of the commercial vessel industry, but believes relief for recreational vessels can and should be achieved now.
The Clean Boating Act of 2008 would fully and permanently restore a longstanding regulation that excludes recreational boaters and anglers from federal and state permitting requirements, which, under the Clean Water Act, were designed for land-based industrial facilities and ocean-going commercial ships.
The BlueRibbon Coalition has been working with other boating groups to inform the recreational boating community about this proposed legislation. We know that boating depends on clean water and healthy natural resources. However, a boat permit will not create a tangible environmental benefit, and it will be another inconvenience and tax for you.
Please take a few minutes and review the background information at www.boatblue.org.
Jack Welch
Special Projects Consultant
BlueRibbon Coalition
Link
Dear BRC Action Alert Subscriber,
Time Is Running Out For America's Recreational Boaters
Please take time to review this alert. We think it is important that you understand the current status of the Clean Boating Act of 2008. Without this federal legislation, recreational boaters will need to apply and pay for a discharge permit to legally operate their boats starting September 30, 2008. This will include personal watercraft (PWC.)
The Clean Boating Act of 2008 (S. 2766/H.R. 5949) is a strong, bipartisan bill that emerged out of a consensus process in order to prevent the unnecessary and unprecedented EPA/state permitting requirements of America's recreational boats for their incidental, overboard water discharges. On June 26, 2008, the bill was brought up in the Senate on an expedited voting procedure known as a Unanimous Consent Agreement. One Senator objected to the bill, proposing instead that the legislation be expanded to include some commercial vessels. Under the Senate rules, the objection has prevented the bill from moving forward.
Commercial advocates and other interest groups are actively opposing the Clean Boating Act, even if doing so means that there will be no legislative relief for anyone. The recreational boating community is sympathetic to the concerns of the commercial vessel industry, but believes relief for recreational vessels can and should be achieved now.
The Clean Boating Act of 2008 would fully and permanently restore a longstanding regulation that excludes recreational boaters and anglers from federal and state permitting requirements, which, under the Clean Water Act, were designed for land-based industrial facilities and ocean-going commercial ships.
The BlueRibbon Coalition has been working with other boating groups to inform the recreational boating community about this proposed legislation. We know that boating depends on clean water and healthy natural resources. However, a boat permit will not create a tangible environmental benefit, and it will be another inconvenience and tax for you.
Please take a few minutes and review the background information at www.boatblue.org.
Jack Welch
Special Projects Consultant
BlueRibbon Coalition
Link