Possible Major Boating Legislation

[sgpwayne]

From the pages of SEA magazine August 08 issue. " Forget the skyrocketing costs of fuel, unless a united boating community bands to urge its Senate and House legislators to act immediately, every angler, recreational boat owner and charter boat owner in the U.S. potentially faces the harsh effects of a court imposed EPA permit requirement for all vessels. Yes, you read right. If ( SB 2766 THE CLEAN BOATING ACT OF 2008)*<INTRODUCED BY SENATORS B. BOXER ( D-CA)and Bill Nelson (D-FL) along with HR 5949 which shares the same language, do not pass by Sept. 30, 2008 starting the very next day, each recreational boater in the U.S. must apply and pay for a costly, red taped laced, federal or state permit in order to legally operate every boat they own regardless of type or size." In short, the small boat owner will be included with the huge oceangoing ships under one umbrella governing a variety of operational discharges potentionally including deck runoff, gray water, deck wash, bilge water, engine cooling water, and copper bottom paints. Fines up to $32.000.00 per day per occurance would be possible and if you trailer your boat over state lines multiple permits will be required I urge all of you to read the complete article and contact your legislators to act upon these bills.

[sgpwayne]

FALSE ALARM President Bush passed the legislation on July 30 2008. <www.boatus.com/gov> Sorry for the PANIC

[Rich McVey]

Well I sure wouldnt want to pay the same licensing and other fees on my 15 ft/55hp fiberglass that a 200 million ton steal freighter pays. But at the same time Im supprised that more isnt done to ensure that clean motors are on our water. Look at the water in the launch area next busy day you go out.... oil sheen. Even though I dont want to pay more fees, Personally I think an inspection cycle similar to what we do with our cars would be a good move to help water quality.

[sgpwayne]

I agree with the principal, its the process i disagree with. Why do we need an inspection program, cant we police ourselves. The oil sheen at the launches is mainly from 2 stroke engines that burn oil with gas. The 4 stroke is a lot cleaner and in most cases more reliable. The next time you purchase a boat get one with a 4 stroke. Most fisherpersons that I know take better care of their boat and motor than they do their family auto. If you get a tuneup & maintain it according to manufacturer's specs, that's about all an inspection program can do. just my 2 cents

[Drewp]

I can police myself, and I'm sure you can too. But can the masses? No, I don't think so. It sucks, but many people need their hands held.

[VHMLLC]

wasnt surprised to see boxers name on the bill (ca). try running a boat in cali. my brother has an old 2 stroke on his boat and has a hard time finding parts thanks to C.A.R.B. glad i dont live there any more.




:viking:

[Marc Martyn]

Don't you know that what is good for California is good for the nation?! That is how we got those 1.5 gallon toilets that work so well. They were running low on water to fill their swimming pools, so they cut back on toilet water usage. I really shouldn't complain about that though. I have replaced many vinyl floors with tile because the toilets back up and run over ruining the floor. Thanks California, your protecting us well.:thumright

[VHMLLC]

Don't you know that what is good for California is good for the nation?! That is how we got those 1.5 gallon toilets that work so well. They were running low on water to fill their swimming pools, so they cut back on toilet water usage. I really shouldn't complain about that though. I have replaced many vinyl floors with tile because the toilets back up and run over ruining the floor. Thanks California, your protecting us well.:thumright

born and raised there, couldnt wait to get out of there.



LOL =d> =d> =d>