FYI Recreational Fisherman

[seafoxcc23]

I received this today via email, I figure for those unaware of the proposed changes you might want to consider contacting your Representative and Senator. Go figure,the goverment applying more fees to do what we love best "FISH".

Dear BoatUS Member,
Your voice counts! And we need it to make sure the Recreational Boating Act of 2007 is passed quickly. Without this federal legislation you will need to apply and pay for a discharge permit to legally operate each of your boats, starting September 30, 2008.
Please take a few minutes and contact your one Representative and two Senators, even if you have already done so. We need them to support and co-sponsor "The Recreational Boating Act of 2007" (House Bill #2550 and Senate Bill #2067).
Because one of your Senators is on the Environment and Public Works Committee, which can move or stall the Senate Bill, it is especially important that you act now.

BoatUS has been working with other boating groups to pass this legislation which will eliminate (for recreational boats only) the new court-imposed EPA permit. 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.
It is important to note that all current environmental restrictions on the overboard discharge of oil, fuel, garbage, and sewage still stand, and will not be altered by this legislation.

Help boating by contacting your Representative and Senators:
Ask that they co-sponsor and support House Bill #2550 and Senate Bill #2067 which reinstate the common sense discharge permit exemption for recreational boats.
Help them understand the looming permit deadline of 9/30/08.
If one of your Members of Congress is co-sponsoring the bill, please say thanks!
For background information: BoatUS.com: Government Affairs (http://www.boatus.com/gov/fed_alert.asp)

[Agrady208]

It looks like BoatUS is on the correct side on this (to support the Bill) but it is easy to get confused on what the bill actually does. Suggest taking a look at the following link so you can shape an informed opinion. WashingtonWatch.com - H.R. 2550, The Recreational Boating Act of 2007 (http://www.washingtonwatch.com/bills/show/110_HR_2550.html#usercomments)

Following is a summary provided within that link:
"This bill is intended to preserve the status quo for recreational boaters. It says that the water running off of or out of a properly-functioning recreational vessel will not be considered a pollutant. It also says that a recreational vessel is any vessel intended or used primarily for recreation (no size limitation imposed).

This bill was written in order to exempt recreational boaters from a new EPA permit process designed to prevent large commercial vessels from bringing invasive species (like zebra mussels) to new ports in their bilge water. This bill is intended to save recreational boaters the cost of the permit (which might cost $20 to $100 per year), associated paperwork, and the cost of modifications to existing or new boats.

The EPA has not yet developed the permit process, and has until September, 2008 to do so.

Congressional Research Service Summary
Recreational Boating Act of 2007 - Amends the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (popularly known as the Clean Water Act) to include within the meaning of the term &quot;pollutant&quot; any deck runoff from a recreational vessel, any engine cooling water, gray water, bilge water effluent from properly functioning recreational marine engines, laundry, shower, and galley sink wastes from a recreational vessel, or any other discharge incidental to the normal operation of a recreational vessel. States that this term does not apply to rubbish, trash, garbage, or other such materials discharged overboard by a recreational vessel.<br>

Status of the Legislation
Latest Major Action: 5/25/2007: Referred to House subcommittee. Status: Referred to the Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment.

Points in Favor
The EPA will be prevented from writing certain types of new regulations for small boats
Neither the EPA nor the states will be prevented from enforcing existing laws and regulations on pollution caused by small boats.
The EPA will not be prevented from regulating discharge from marine heads.
Will prevent the EPA from charging boat owners for a certain type of environmental permit it is now required to develop.
Will prevent the EPA from requiring small boat owners to install water treatment systems on exhaust, bilge, sink, shower, etc. outflows.
Will prevent the EPA from requiring boat manufacturers to redesign recreational boats to include water treatment systems on various water outflows.
Points Against
A boat designed for recreational use is exempt from regulation, even if it is now being used for commercial purposes, and even if it is very large.
A boat being used primarily for recreational purposes is exempt from regulation, even if it was designed for commercial use, and even if it is very large.
Redefines the term "pollutant" to exclude certain types of runoff, discharge, and waste from vessels. This could provide a loophole for boat owners to get around regulations meant to deter the spread of invasive aquatic species.
Specifically exempts "any other discharge incidental to the normal operation of a recreational vessel", which exempts unregulated discharge of ballast water from water-ballasted recreational vessels as they travel from one body of fresh water to another.
Because the case which prompted this bill is still working its way through the court system, it is unclear if this legislation will ever be necessary".

There are lots of comments from typical boaters on that web page, and most seem to be against the bill. After reading what I could find on the topic, I support the Bill primarily becuase of the included definition of recreational vessel that excludes those owners from a looming EPA fee purchased permit. I do think all of us should work to contain our discharge appropriately, but an EPA permit to operate our recreational boats does not accomplish that responsibility.

Charlie
On the "Ms Cait"

[twobyfour]

Who in the hell comes up with these things?:nono: The bills meaning was to stop certain species from being transplanted in our waters. How in the hell does this lead to a discharge permit for recreational boaters? I don't know of any recreational boats that travel back and forth across the oceans, except maybe those over 40 or 50 feet. I'm not the smartest guy in the world, but this must be rocket science because it sure doesn't make since to me. I grew up fishing. Been around the water all my life. And I don't know about you guys, but I think I'm just about at the point of throwing in the towel on boating and fishing. Just don't know if its worth it anymore. Another tax or license might push me over the edge. If I didn't love fishing more than my wife, I would have surely given it up by now. Is there a pill for fishing withdrawl?