Another "tax" for boat owners in Texas

[r. gallagher]

I just received notice from the State of Texas that I had to pay for a decal to afix on my boat as follows:

"The Clean Water Certification Program requires owners of boats with marine sanitation devices (MSDs) and owners of pump-out stations to obtain a decal, self-certifying that the MSD or pump-out station is operating properly to prevent the discharge of sewage into Texas waterways. The program is required under Texas law and is intended to protect and improve the quality of water in Texas."

Not really sure what this will prevent of protect. I pay $15 every two years for a decal. Also, the State requires I must pay through epay, or I have to call them if I do not want to pay electronically. This is the first time I have heard of this. Just another way to tax the public. I think anyone swimming in the lake should have to pay the same for a decal self-claiming they will not tinkle in the water.

 

[kloudie1]

Is the address listed in Africa.. or New Jersey?

 

[Patrick17430]

Let me know how it goes. We haven't been able to train the kids to stop pee'in the pool yet.

 

[Ron20324]

... self-certifying that the MSD or pump-out station is operating properly.

Sounds like McCarthyism to me.:cussing:

 

[Joe Diver]

Yeah, I had to buy one too....and the stupid epay system is the most non-intuitive difficult system to use...it was stupid. I buy stuff online all the time but I was somewhat frustrated with that system they have setup. Once you pay, you have to still send in an application referencing your payment! Friggan retarded.

Got my stickers about a week later and stuck 'em on the boat.

 

[Mike B1026]

Just curious, how did the State contact you? Was it with your registration renewal?

 

[Joe Diver]

There is a notice flyer posted at my Marina that tells about the new sticker and that enforcement will begin this year.

 

[r. gallagher]

New Tax

I received notice via a flyer in the mail. I can only assume I was notified because of my boat registration. I am paying for a boat registration to the Texas Parks and Wildlife and now I am having to purchase a decal from Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission. They have changed their name but I cannot remember the new one. I am not sure if this is enforced by the Park Rangers but I can see it as another way to stop a boat, write a citation, and increase the State's purse. For the life of me I cannot figure out how this decal will stop anything unless I place it over the thru-hole for my waste discharge!

 

[Joe Diver]

Here's just how stupid it is:

Application Form

That's a link to the most current app form with instructions to use the ePay system. There's nothing in it where you "certify" anything...looks more like it's just a "registration" for your marine head. Doesn't seem to be anything other than a money grab.

 

[Elissatoo]

I have not received this yet, but I hear that the Corp of Engineers is going to ban the use of a portable potty on our lake in the near future. Guess that emergency bailing bucket is going to get to be a multi use device in the future.

 

[Stu Jackson]

I have not received this yet, but I hear that the Corp of Engineers is going to ban the use of a portable potty on our lake in the near future. Guess that emergency bailing bucket is going to get to be a multi use device in the future.

Then you'll really "learn when to hold 'em..."

 

[DanM]

I just got the card in the mail as well.

It "certifies" nothing other than you mailed in your $15.00 Also, it's good for two years expiring in December of the odd numbered year. But not this year... this year it's going to expire in December 2011 and then you'll get to pay it again for the next two years.

The list of law enforcement agents that can site you for this is pretty long though, it will probably be a good revenue enhancer for the state of Texas.

Good thing we're all rich yacht owners.

DanM.

 

[r. gallagher]

bailing bucket?

Just remember if you are using your "bailing bucket" that you will need to spend $15 for the decal certifying that it is in proper working order. Oh wait, that is only in the great State of Texas!

 

[Gary_H]

forget the bucket and just hang it over the transom...unless they make you get a butt sticker. I'm sure they will tax that too before long. Just another government money grab.

 

[Stu Jackson]

Now there's an avatar that only a mother could love. Geez is that ugly!

 

[Gary_H]

I've been told at my recent courtesy inspection that we will soon be required to maintain a pump out log. don't know what good that's going to do. How will they know if the entries are accurate? logs at pumpout stations fine but on the boat, I think is a waste of time.

 

[Roger Long]

How will they know if the entries are accurate?

Because you are required to log at the pumpout station each time you pump out. If there is a question about your pumping out by a law enforcement officer, they will simply collect the logs (at your expense for copying and mailing, I'm sure) from the pump out stations you say you visited and compare. Remember, this is a civil infraction, not criminal, so innocent until proven guilty does not apply. They can put you through as many hoops as they want, and charge you as much as they want, demanding that you prove a negative, that you didn't pump your tank inside of the three mile limit.

Government, which is overwhelmed with real pollution, natural disasters, terrorism, etc. somehow always finds time and money to deal with things like this.

This crap is spreading to all states gradually.

 

[jmark]

hand in the back pocket

Not sure what this is about either, except to say that I know someone who, last year, was positioning himself with licencing for a pump out service business. He seems to think he is going to make a lot of money as a result of what he called upcoming changes in enforcement of grey and black water discharge laws.

 

[Gary_H]

It's true that they can compare your logs with the pump outs logs but how would they be able to know that you might have pumped out two or three times at sea since then that you have even used the head since last pump out. They would have no way of knowing if you have even used your boat since the last pump out. I just see a lot of enforcment problems that's all.

 

[Peggie Hall HeadMistress]

You're forgetting inland waters

It's true that they can compare your logs with the pump outs logs but how would they be able to know that you might have pumped out two or three times at sea since then that you have even used the head since last pump out. They would have no way of knowing if you have even used your boat since the last pump out. I just see a lot of enforcment problems that's all.

GA did the same thing 20 years ago...all boats with toilets had to "declare" 'em and attest that the boat was equipped with a holding tank when the boat was registered or registration was renewed. And we were all supposed to sign logs at the pumpouts and keep a log on our boats. While it would impossible to match up the logs in coastal waters that provide immediate access to open ocean beyond the "3 mile limit," itIS possible to match up your log with marina pumpout logs on an inland lake. But in all the 20+ years I was on Lake Lanier, although I knew a whole BUNCH of people who were boarded and inspected for "potty compliance," I never heard of a single instance of the water cops paying any attention whatever to the pumpout logs. That may have been because GA law prohibits even having any sanitation plumbing--no hose, y-valve or pump--connected to a thru-hull on their inland non-navigable lakes...so only boats with tanks that can ONLY be emptied via pumpout can pass inspection...making it unnecessary to check any logs.