EPA solicits comments on plan to regulate recreational boat discharges

[rmeador]

The EPA is today announcing plans to hold "listening sessions'' on March 18 and April 29, 2011, to provide information about the Clean Boating Act (CBA), and to gather recommendations from the public for forthcoming regulation of recreational vessels under the Clean Water Act (CWA) Section 312(o).

Full text here. They seem hell-bent on regulating discharges of sinks and bilge pumps... wasn't the CBA passed (with the support of many forum members and boating groups) to prevent exactly these sorts of regulations from applying to recreational boaters? The EPA seems to think the CBA requires them to do this:

The CBA, which was passed by Congress and signed into law in 2008, directs EPA to promulgate regulations to establish management practices and associated standards of performance for discharges incidental to the normal operation of recreational vessels (e.g., bilgewater, ballast water, and graywater).

During this period, anyone can submit comments electronically via the website I linked above, or via email to ow-docket@epa.gov with the subject "Attention Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-OW-2011-0119". Everyone should give them some comments saying we don't want to have to have permits or greywater tanks or any other new regulations! It's probably best to phrase this in ways that regulators might care about, such as its impact on the economy of areas that cater to boaters, but that's just my humble opinion.

[carl762]

The act was passed in 2008, which effectively exempted recreational boats from having to manage their wastewater like industrial use boats by having to buy expensive permits and be subject to the same regulations as commercial boats. One of the big issues was ballast water containing and spreading harmful critters to other waters. I'm glad the act is law. Somebody used some common sense for a change. Barbara Boxer actually did something I can appreciate.

I hope the EPA doesn't attempt to screw us over. I'm doing my part to not pollute. In Oregon we're even required to buy an evasive species permit for our kayaks. I'm tired of shelling out money, but things like this are for a good cause - Mother Nature.

Thanks for the thread.

[rmeador]

I know a lot of people thought the CBA exempted recreational boats from regulation, but just as with nearly all regulation, it has a way of coming back to bite you. The EPA is using it as justification for this power grab. We need to send messages to the EPA and our representatives opposing these actions.

[ccriders]

Before I send in a response I will look forward to the discussion here.

My initial thought is that requiring all recreational craft whereever they may be in US waters to implement "management practices" is overkill. There are places where control of discharges from recreational craft might be benefitial to the environment. There are other areas where such discharges will have no discernible effect.

There are many more discharges by non-recreational craft with greater adverse effects.

For coastal and estuarian sailors (like the Chesapeake), most of the polution to our waters are created by land based activitiers. Right now there are warning signs in my marina cautioning against water contact because of high bacteria levels. This is not the result of contaminant releases by water craft, recreational or otherwise.

It seems reasonable to require bilge water generated by housekeeping activities to be captured, especially in an MSD no discharge zone. However, how will this affect bilge water generated by a leak? If it is required to be contained, then why bother with a bilge pump?

What about raw water cooling? Will that be prohibited?

Fire away everyone.
John

[travlineasy]

The first version of the CWA I recall took place sometime about 1972. IMHO it has, and always be, an abysmal failure. Think not? Name one, major body of water the CWA has actually returned to pristine condition. Yeah, I can't seem to name one either and I've been covering this beat for four decades. If you take the time to read the fine print, you'll find it's a lot like the Chesapeake Bay Cleanup Program--lots of suggestions, a few unenforcible regulations that resemble Band-Aids on a geyser and lots and lots of expensive, meaningless studies that are usually financially beneficial to the study group, but never seem to accomplish anything noteworthy.

Keep in mind that EPA is an acronym for "Environmental Protection Agency," a bureau that can't seem to protect our environment regardless of how much money they spend. Same holds true for MDE (Maryland Department of Environment), MD DNR (Maryland Department of Natural Resources) and thousands upon thousands of other similar agencies in state and federal government. Their sole purpose for existing is the protection and enhancement of our natural resources, a task they've never been able to accomplish. Over the past 40 years it has been my experience that your input is not wanted or utilized--regardless of how sound it may be. The hearings are just another form of public appeasement so the agency can ram-rod another program up the public's a$$, and because a tiny number of people took the time to testify they can say we listened to your advice so it's OK for us to do this.

Sorry about the rant, but those agencies and the people that run them just really pi$$ me off!

Gary

[carl762]

You and me too.

[tomperanteau]

Welcome to Fascist America. Where regulators make law and politicians allow the three branches to be circumvented in order to be able to steal more of our hard-earned money.

[SlowButSteady]

So, y'all would rather go back to "the good old days", when harbors were little better than open sewers? No thanks.

[tomperanteau]

Originally Posted by SlowButSteady

So, y'all would rather go back to "the good old days", when harbors were little better than open sewers? No thanks.

Uh, yea. That is what we are all saying.

Seriously. Is that what you took away from the discussion so far?

[degreeoff]

My opinion here is this.....I agree that the chessy needs cleaning BUT WTF?? The primary cause is the land based BS. I want to see them try to enforce my bilge water discharge............. I have a conventional leaking (slightly) stuffing box and a shower that I use that drains into the bilge as well. I use enviro friendly soaps.....BS all freakin BS....my marina just installed cameras to watch for people doing bad things like dumping nasty's into the water.... or so they say, truth is they are getting ready to protect their a$$es when the hammer falls.

BTW thanks for the email addy.....I have sent my response.