[Psml] Fwd: BoatUS Alert: Contact Your Members of Congress!

[Tony Biegen]

PSML Members: If you haven't already received this, please read, act 
and pass it on.  No need to identify yourself as a USPS member, just 
protest to your legislators to stop this stupidity!

>From: "BoatUS Government Affairs"<PubAffairs at BoatUS.com>
>Subject: BoatUS Alert: Contact Your Members of Congress!
>
>July 23, 2007
>
>Dear BoatUS Member,
>
>For 34 years the federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has 
>exempted discharges from recreational boats from the Clean Water Act 
>permit system. Regretfully, a recent court ruling cancelled this 
>permit exemption. EPA is required by the court decision to develop 
>and implement by September 30, 2008 a national permit system for ALL 
>vessels in the United States for a variety of normal operational discharges.
>
>We have been working behind the scenes with other boating 
>organizations to get the exemption reinstated for recreational 
>boats. Fortunately, the Recreational Boating Act of 2007 (H.R. 2550) 
>has been introduced by Representatives Gene Taylor (D-Miss) and 
>Candice Miller (R-Mich) which would protect recreational boats from 
>being swept into this unnecessary and expensive permitting system.
>It is critically important that H.R. 2550 be passed and your support 
>is essential. Please contact your Congressman and Senators TODAY and 
>ask that they co-sponsor or support H.R. 2550.
>If the permit system becomes a reality, you will be required to pay 
>for a state permit for each of your boats. EPA will be monitoring 
>your deck runoff, grey water, bilge water, engine cooling water, and 
>the use of copper bottom paints.

>The original lawsuit that led to this court decision sought to 
>address ballast water discharges from large ocean-going ships, which 
>can introduce damaging aquatic invasive species into U.S. waters. 
>Keeping our waterways clean and preventing the spread of invasive 
>species is of utmost importance to the future of boating. But taking 
>a complex permitting system designed for industrial dischargers and 
>applying it to recreational boats will not yield significant 
>environmental benefits and it will come at a very high cost. 
>Requiring recreational boaters to purchase a permit would not 
>prevent the spread of invasive species.
>
>Please ask your elected federal representatives to support H.R. 
>2550. It is common-sense legislation. As you send your emails to 
>your Members of Congress, please copy BoatUS at 
><mailto:GovtAffairs at BoatUS.com>GovtAffairs at BoatUS.com . We'd also 
>like to ask you to send a copy of your correspondence to the EPA, so 
>they can see how this will affect citizens. However, please know 
>that if you choose to send it to EPA, it will become a part of the 
>public record. EPA's email is 
><mailto:ow-docket at epa.gov>ow-docket at epa.gov , and your email needs 
>to have a subject line with Docket ID No. OW-2007-0483.
>
>For More Information:
>
><http://smtpbulk.boatus.net/t?r=3&c=1622&l=198&ctl=BC5C:9D42F714A31ACD7CAA3C0EE4E20A8734>Click 
>here for Frequently Asked Questions
>
><http://smtpbulk.boatus.net/t?r=3&c=1622&l=198&ctl=BC5B:9D42F714A31ACD7CAA3C0EE4E20A8734>Click 
>here for a sample email letter
>
><http://smtpbulk.boatus.net/t?r=3&c=1622&l=198&ctl=BC5D:9D42F714A31ACD7CAA3C0EE4E20A8734>Click 
>here to easily send an email to your Members of Congress.
>
><http://smtpbulk.boatus.net/bin/ftaf?id=9D42F714A31ACD7CAA3C0EE4E20A8734>Forward 
>this Action Alert to your friends, your fishing and boat club, your 
>marina neighbors, and your local press!
>
>Thank you for your help.
>
>Sincerely,
>
>Margaret Podlich
>
>BoatUS Government Affairs
><mailto:GovtAffairs at BoatUS.com>GovtAffairs at BoatUS.com
>703-461-2864 or 703-461-2878 x8363
>
>
>
>
>A

   =|;-} Tony Biegen {:-})
  Voice/FAX: (516) 797-0464
EMail: tonyb815 at verizon.net
"As you slide down the banister of life, may the splinters never
point the wrong way"


















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