? Pending Legislation, re installed head licensure

Tim R. · Dec 12, 2007

That's easy

I sail out 3 miles offshore and pumpout there. Last time I checked Neptune was not writing receipts!I have not heard of this. Do you have any info that may verify this? Sounds like someone trying to keep lake powell clean.Tim

Weasel · Dec 12, 2007

See attached

November 28, 2007Dear 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! Click here to see co-sponsors for the House Bill The 10 co-sponsors on the Senate Bill are: Martinez (FL), Bunning (KY), Chambliss (GA), Dole and Burr (NC), Isakson (GA), Sessions (AL), Cornyn and Hutchison (TX), and Lott (MS). Click here to email your Representative Use your 9 digit zip code: 38139-4415 Click here to email or call your Senators Click here to read the House bill text Click here to read the Senate bill textFor background information:www.boatus.com/gov/fed_alert.aspClick Here to pass this email on to boating and fishing friends, clubs, and marinas.Thanks for adding your voice to this critical boating issue.Margaret PodlichVice President, Government AffairsBoatUSGovtAffairs@BoatUS.com703-461-2878 x8363P.S. We know that we are asking you to take several steps to email your Members of Congress, and we hope that you'll persevere through it. Santa has promised us new grassroots software that will make articulating and contacting your Representatives and Senators easier in the New Year!

HukilauMike · Dec 12, 2007

Recreational Boating Act

two different issues. The original poster is describing a potential law regulating the discharge from marine sanitation devices. The Recreational Boating Act refers to a Congressional effort to undo a judge's decision that relates to discharges from boats such as engine cooling water. Current law prohibits ANY discharges into the waters of the U.S. The EPA had always exercised their discretion to interpret this law to exclude engine cooling water discharges from recreational boats. However, a federal judge recently ruled that the law is explicit and EPA did not have the authority to grant that exemption to recreational boaters. The Recreational Boating Act will write that exemption for boaters into the law. As you can see from the posting, it does nothing to change all other existing prohibitions against other types of discharges (including sanitary).

Rick D · Dec 12, 2007

Maybe Something Different

This may be something different than the discharge deal. I know that I have heard babbling about some 'clean water' advocates who want to strictly regulate holding tank pumping / discharging by way of documentation including a 'head log'. Having said that, however, the Boat US legislative site lists no such legislation. It is possible something like that is floating around (no pun) but dormant. Lots of legislation gets introduced that never sees the light of day. Some is just introduced for bragging rights with no real intent at passage. It's premature to get excited. Rick D.

Peggie Hall HeadMistress · Dec 12, 2007

Hooooboy...

The original poster has created a perfect example of the way facts can be twisted in the telling and retelling. And it's not two different issues.A federal (or maybe circuit) judge in the PNW handed down a ruling that declared the EPA exemption of recreational vessels from rules regarding discharge that freighters, tankers and cruise ships are required to follow to be illegal. If his ruling is allowed to stand, ALL vessels would be subject to the same regs that prohibit the discharge of bilge water and gray water, in addition to toilet waste, that freighters, cruise ships etc are subject to. And yes, every recreational boat owner WOULD be required to have a permit.The basis of the court's ruling: the EPA doesn't have the right to exempt anyone from obeying federal law. And the court is technically correct.The EPA immediately filed an APPEAL...BOAT/US joined 'em...'cuz all those permits would create a bureaucratic nightmare of appocolyptic proportions. The only remedy: new legislations that DOES exempt recreational vessels. And that legislation has been introduced. It now has 45 sponsors in both the House and the Senate, which makes it pretty much a slam dunk.So...If the "senator from the midwest" has done anything, he's added his name to that list of sponsors of legislation that would do just the opposite of what the ill-informed/misinformed/"sky is falling" gossip monger at your YC member is spouting. He needs to get his facts straight.

John5961 · Dec 12, 2007

Facts

Thanks for your knowledgeable reply Peggy. I read about this Bill (Recreational Boaters Act of 2007) and wrote my Senators and Representitive to support this legislation. I would encourage every one to do the same.

John5961 · Dec 12, 2007

Facts

Thanks for your knowledgeable reply Peggy. I read about this Bill (Recreational Boaters Act of 2007) and wrote my Senators and Representitive to support this legislation. I would encourage every one to do the same.

John5961 · Dec 12, 2007

Facts

Thanks for your knowledgeable reply Peggy. I read about this Bill (Recreational Boaters Act of 2007) and wrote my Senators and Representitive to support this legislation. I would encourage every one to do the same.

John5961 · Dec 12, 2007

Facts

Thanks for your knowledgeable reply Peggy. I read about this Bill (Recreational Boaters Act of 2007) and wrote my Senators and Representitive to support this legislation. I would encourage every one to do the same.

Peggie Hall HeadMistress · Dec 12, 2007

About any potty permit law...

There is no federal law or pending FEDERAL legislation requiring boats with toilets to have permits and keep pumpout logs, but quite a few STATES do require it--at least on their inland "no discharge" lakes--and have done so for years...and have laws on their own books specifying heavy fines for failure to comply. For example, GA has had one since 1993...."potty registration" just adds $5 to the boat registration fee every 4 years. So it's possible that there's similar pending legislation in the PA *state* legislature...if so, your fellow YC member still needs to get his facts straight, 'cuz if so, it's no big deal.

Peggie Hall HeadMistress · Dec 12, 2007

About any potty permit law...

There is no federal law or pending FEDERAL legislation requiring boats with toilets to have permits and keep pumpout logs, but quite a few STATES do require it--at least on their inland "no discharge" lakes--and have done so for years...and have laws on their own books specifying heavy fines for failure to comply. For example, GA has had one since 1993...."potty registration" just adds $5 to the boat registration fee every 4 years. So it's possible that there's similar pending legislation in the PA *state* legislature...if so, your fellow YC member still needs to get his facts straight, 'cuz if so, it's no big deal.

Peggie Hall HeadMistress · Dec 12, 2007

About any potty permit law...

There is no federal law or pending FEDERAL legislation requiring boats with toilets to have permits and keep pumpout logs, but quite a few STATES do require it--at least on their inland "no discharge" lakes--and have done so for years...and have laws on their own books specifying heavy fines for failure to comply. For example, GA has had one since 1993...."potty registration" just adds $5 to the boat registration fee every 4 years. So it's possible that there's similar pending legislation in the PA *state* legislature...if so, your fellow YC member still needs to get his facts straight, 'cuz if so, it's no big deal.

Peggie Hall HeadMistress · Dec 12, 2007

About any potty permit law...

There is no federal law or pending FEDERAL legislation requiring boats with toilets to have permits and keep pumpout logs, but quite a few STATES do require it--at least on their inland "no discharge" lakes--and have done so for years...and have laws on their own books specifying heavy fines for failure to comply. For example, GA has had one since 1993...."potty registration" just adds $5 to the boat registration fee every 4 years. So it's possible that there's similar pending legislation in the PA *state* legislature...if so, your fellow YC member still needs to get his facts straight, 'cuz if so, it's no big deal.

? Pending Legislation, re installed head licensure

abk

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Tim R.

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Weasel

HukilauMike

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Rick D

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Peggie Hall HeadMistress

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John5961

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John5961

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John5961

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John5961

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Peggie Hall HeadMistress

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Peggie Hall HeadMistress

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Peggie Hall HeadMistress

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Peggie Hall HeadMistress

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abk

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abk

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abk

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abk

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