Clean Boating Act Vote

[Chuck Baier]

Vote on Clean Boating Act stalled by one SenatorThe following is from the July 2 edition of NMMA Currents:
On Thursday, June 26, before Congress adjourned for its week-long July 4 holiday recess, U.S. Senator Bill Nelson (D-Fla.), the primary sponsor of the Clean Boating Act of 2008 (S. 2766), requested an expedited Senate voting procedure that would have allowed the legislation to pass by Unanimous Consent in the Senate.
In order for a bill to pass in this manner, no Senators can object. Unfortunately, Alaskan Senator Lisa Murkowski (R) did voice an objection, arguing the bill should be expanded to include some commercial vessels and filed an amendment to do so. Senator Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.), an original co-sponsor of the bill along with Nelson, objected to Murkowski's proposed amendment, arguing the bill was the product of delicate compromise.
NMMA is hopeful that common sense will prevail and that relief for recreational boaters can be achieved before the imminent September 30, 2008 deadline.
Anyone and everyone that cares about boating is urged to contact their elected officials and plead for them to move forward with passage of S. 2766 quickly!
Please visit BoatBlue.org today and send your Senators and Representatives a loud and clear message that you want this bill passed!

DON'T WAIT UNTIL IT'S TOO LATE; ACT TODAY!

[GordMay]

President Bush signed (July 29/08) The Clean Boating Act of 2008 into law.
Both houses of Congress passed the Clean Boating Act July 22.
The Clean Boating Act of 2008 permanently and fully restores a regulation that excludes recreational boaters and anglers from the Clean Water Act federal and state permitting system designed for land-based industrial facilities like sewage treatment plants.
Without legislative relief, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency was set to implement new permitting regulations for boaters by Oct. 1, 2008.
At the same time it passed The Clean Boating Act of 2008, Congress also passed legislation to provide a moratorium on permitting for commercial vessel discharges until the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency completes a review of certain incidental discharges.

Goto:
President Bush Signs the Clean Boating Act of 2008 and the Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008 Into Law

[ssullivan]

Yes, it would be difficult to have imagined Bush Jr. sticking it to the old man by requiring the family boats up Kennebunkport to comply with arcane Clean Water Act laws.

Originally Posted by GordMay

President Bush signed (July 29/08) The Clean Boating Act of 2008 into law.
Both houses of Congress passed the Clean Boating Act July 22.
The Clean Boating Act of 2008 permanently and fully restores a regulation that excludes recreational boaters and anglers from the Clean Water Act federal and state permitting system designed for land-based industrial facilities like sewage treatment plants.
Without legislative relief, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency was set to implement new permitting regulations for boaters by Oct. 1, 2008.
At the same time it passed The Clean Boating Act of 2008, Congress also passed legislation to provide a moratorium on permitting for commercial vessel discharges until the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency completes a review of certain incidental discharges.

Goto:
President Bush Signs the Clean Boating Act of 2008 and the Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008 Into Law

[scotte]

This is a good thing... Many people don't realize what affect this would have had with no exemption for recreational boats. For example, rain water out the scuppers would have required this permit from the EPA. Ludicrous.