Proposed Clean Boating Act Of 2008 Spells Relief
by Jennifer Dennard
The proposed Clean Boating Act of 2008 — recently introduced by Senate Environment and Public Works
Chairwoman Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.) and Sen. Bill Nelson (D-Fla.) — will create relief for
recreational boaters and anglers from an impending court order that could require them to obtain a
federal permit to operate their vessels.
The Clean Boating Act legislation — scheduled to be put into place in September 2008 if
passed — restores an Environmental Protection Agency exemption for water-based, non-polluting
incidental discharges such as engine coolant water and weather deck run-off that occur in the
operation of a recreational boat. The proposed act makes a distinction between discharges from
recreational boats and discharges from commercial ships.
“Without legislative relief soon, everyday boaters would be required by federal law to apply
for the same expensive permits as ocean-going commercial vessels and land-based industrial
facilities,” says Scott Gudes, vice president of government relations, National Marine
Manufacturers Association. “We are pleased that Senators Boxer and Nelson recognize the economic,
social and cultural significance of the recreational marine industry and recreational boating, and
are moving to enact this crucial piece of legislation.”