[flyingbear]

If you live in San Diego or for that matter anywhere in California please read this letter from RBOC (Recreational Boaters of California). FYI, RBOC is a watchdog group that looks out for recreational boating interests in the CA Assembly and elsewhere. Sample letters are on the RBOC website.

To: California Boaters

From: Recreational Boaters of California

Date: January 7, 2004

Re: Call-to-arms – Proposed Copper TMDL

Recreational Boaters of California [RBOC] is urging boaters in the San Diego area, as well as boaters state-wide, to sign and send in letters opposing a proposed TMDL and implementation plan for dissolved copper that is before the Shelter Island Yacht Basin.

Letters are available at www.rboc.org - click-on to the call-to-arms button.

Letters should be sent in by January 20 to meet the public comment deadline that was extended by the San Diego Regional Water Quality Control Board at its December 10 meeting. The Board could take action on the plan as soon as March without further public comment or testimony.

This proposal could establish a precedent for similar actions by regional boards throughout the state.

The proposed action would establish a specific numerical limit for the presence of dissolved copper in the basin. That number would become the goal of an implementation plan that would also be adopted by the Board.

The plan would establish a multi-year effort with marinas and yacht clubs responsible for lowering the levels of dissolve copper, and with individual boaters participating through conversion to other hull coatings and other activities.

Details of the proposal are available at the Board’s website:

http://www.swrcb.ca.gov/rwqcb9/tmdls/shelter%20island.html

RBOC is the nonprofit organization that promotes and advocates the interests of boaters statewide before the legislative and executive branches of government.