Boat U.S. Magazine, Volume XII, July 2007, page 6, has an interesting article, "Congress Tackles Discharge Permits". Attempting to control the spread of aquatic nuisance species by mandating the treatment of ballast water in large commercial ships, the EPA is now charged by the 9th District Court to "develop an operational discharge permit for all vessels--recreational and commercial--in the United States by September 30, 2008." Still quoting...."if they don't implement a permit system by then, and nothing is done to change this decision, boaters could face citizen lawsuits as they operate their boats on or after October 1, 2008." "With the court-imposed deadline looming, EPA staff is now facing the unenviable job of developing a similar permit system for millions of moving sources--something they have never done before.....It appears that the permits would have to be administered state by state." Naturally, us boaters will have to pay for these permits! For someone like me, who travels across Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida waters, I would have to apply for "half a dozen" permits for each state! Thankfully, representatives Gene Taylor of Mississippi and Candice Miller of Michigan introduced a bill, the Recreational Boating Act of 2007, H.R. 2550, to exempt recreational boats from the Clean Water Act rules. BoatU.S. is concerned that the EPA could begin the public comment period as early as this summer. For updates on H.R. 2550, they are encouraging their members to be sure their e-mail address is on file with Membership@BoatUS.com. To learn more, visit BoatUS.com/gov/issues.htm. Just wanted my fellow boaters to know that our government may make it harder to enjoy our pasttime. Dick s/v CD EXPRESS
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Typical Government
If the minds in Washington could be put to something that was useful to our society, such as finding ways of better protection in our city streets, better education (just a few starters), etc., it almost seem appropriate to put with some of the ridiculous ideas they come up with just to remain in office.
If the minds in Washington could be put to something that was useful to our society, such as finding ways of better protection in our city streets, better education (just a few starters), etc., it almost seem appropriate to put with some of the ridiculous ideas they come up with just to remain in office.
You've totally misinterpeted the article
Several months ago, the 9th district court judge ruled that new rules intended only to impact commercial vessels--freighters, tankers, cruise ships etc--applied to ALL vessel, including recreational vessels. It's THAT court that's imposed the deadline, not the federal government. In fact, the EPA and BOAT/US are on the same side...they, along with the NMMA and other marine trades organizations, have appealed that ruling. Several members of Congress have drafted legislation that will protect recreational boats if the appeal fails. Read this article in the June of issue of "Soundings Trade Only" for more accurate information than your post describes: http://www.tradeonly-digital.com/tradeonly/200706/?folio=42 (Click on the page to enlarge to readable size)
Several months ago, the 9th district court judge ruled that new rules intended only to impact commercial vessels--freighters, tankers, cruise ships etc--applied to ALL vessel, including recreational vessels. It's THAT court that's imposed the deadline, not the federal government. In fact, the EPA and BOAT/US are on the same side...they, along with the NMMA and other marine trades organizations, have appealed that ruling. Several members of Congress have drafted legislation that will protect recreational boats if the appeal fails. Read this article in the June of issue of "Soundings Trade Only" for more accurate information than your post describes: http://www.tradeonly-digital.com/tradeonly/200706/?folio=42 (Click on the page to enlarge to readable size)
Boy, you guys are quick to attack.....
....someone who just trying to make fellow boaters aware of something. Chill out. While I'll admit my post has a tinge of government mistrust (duh!), it repeats the article in BoatU.S. magazine. I wasn't ranting and I didn't misinterpret anything....it is what it is and I bet this posting has exposed this situation to more boaters who knew nothing before. Have a nice day. Dick Dixon
....someone who just trying to make fellow boaters aware of something. Chill out. While I'll admit my post has a tinge of government mistrust (duh!), it repeats the article in BoatU.S. magazine. I wasn't ranting and I didn't misinterpret anything....it is what it is and I bet this posting has exposed this situation to more boaters who knew nothing before. Have a nice day. Dick Dixon
Dick, Thanks for making us aware
Dick, thanks for making us aware of the issue. As for the mistrust of the government, I wonder why any of us along the Gulf Coast might feel that way (after Katrina, in case I am being too oblique about this). Ok, to make this about sailing, how did your May Florida sail go? If you posted pictures, I missed them.
Dick, thanks for making us aware of the issue. As for the mistrust of the government, I wonder why any of us along the Gulf Coast might feel that way (after Katrina, in case I am being too oblique about this). Ok, to make this about sailing, how did your May Florida sail go? If you posted pictures, I missed them.
Dick, you could chill out, too ...
But it looks like you have been.
I don't think you should jump all over Peggy because you got your interpretation wrong and proceeded to mislead people. She makes a good point. Unelected judges in the courts can be far more damaging to our interests than our elected representatives in legislature. It sounds like our elected representatives are trying to introduce some common sense in our behalf.
But it looks like you have been.
I don't think you should jump all over Peggy because you got your interpretation wrong and proceeded to mislead people. She makes a good point. Unelected judges in the courts can be far more damaging to our interests than our elected representatives in legislature. It sounds like our elected representatives are trying to introduce some common sense in our behalf.- Status