[Povertybay] FW: BOATING ACTION ALERT - Boaters encouraged to support Clean Boating Act

[Joe Iannarone]

Important info to act on and forward to anyone with an interest in boating.

From: michaelc at seattleboatshow.comTo: joe_iannarone at msn.comSubject: BOATING ACTION ALERT - Boaters encouraged to support Clean Boating ActDate: Mon, 7 Jul 2008 13:06:02 -0700
Past Attendees of the Seattle Boat Show - You are receiving this email because you have attended the Seattle Boat Show in the past. There is an issue in Congress that will dramatically affect boaters throughout the country. 
I am very sensitive about how often we communicate with you and I only send emails when I truly think it is important. This issue is critical and needs action now. 
You may have read about the Clean Boating Act (S.2766) that is before the U.S. Congress. I want you to know that the Northwest Marine Trade Association (who produces the annual Seattle Boat Show) has been working for passage of this bill for a very long time. Getting this bill passed is critical for boaters in the United Sates. As of today, neither Washington Senator Murray nor Senator Cantwell has agreed to sponsor S.2766.  
If Congress fails to pass this bill by September 30 of this year, then all 17 million recreational vessels will:

Be covered under a new National Discharge Elimination Permit issued by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) of the Federal Government. The permit is 15 pages long and there is another 45 page document just to explain the permit. Boaters will "automatically" be covered under the new permit without even knowing that they are covered or what is required, unless they obtain the permit and understand all the specific obligations outlined in the two documents.
Be swept up in a federal and state permitting regime for their weather run-off, bilge water, engine cooling water, and other incidental water discharges. Penalties for non-compliance are $32,500 per day per violation and citizen lawsuits.
I encourage you to please take a minute today and contact your US Senators about this issue.  You can do this by visiting www.boatblue.org and clicking on "Take Action." On the site is a prepared e-mail that you can send directly to your US Senators, US Representatives, State Governor and President George W. Bush.
As always, thank you for attending the Seattle Boat Show. I have only sent this email to you because I believe that passage of the Clean Boating Act is critically important. If you have any questions, please feel free to email me at michaelc at seattleboatshow.com.
Michael CampbellPresidentNorthwest Marine Trade AssocationProducers of the Seattle Boat Show


joe_iannarone at msn.com - You are subscribed to the boat show mailing at the Northwest Marine Trade Association. Aside from receiving early information regarding the Seattle Boat Show and Everett Boat Show, we may occasionally contact you about other fun boating events around the region. Thanks for your interest in boating! To be removed from this list, please reply to this message and type "REMOVE" in the subject line.  
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