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President Bush Signs Legislation Exempting National Boat Discharge Permit
July 29, 2008 – President Bush signed S. 2766, legislation that prevents regulations that would have subjected boaters nationwide to onerous permit requirements. S. 2766, titled "The Clean Boating Act of 2008," permanently restores the long-standing exemption for recreational boats from permitting requirements under the federal Clean Water Act.
The new Act eliminates a court-mandated USEPA proposal to impose permit requirements on recreational boaters. Individual boaters would have had to follow specific practices required by the federal government to operate their boats and manage their everyday, overboard water discharges. Boaters were facing significant compliance issues, possible citizen lawsuits, as well as possible penalties of $32,500 per violation per day. Existing environmental protection requirements will remain in effect. This includes restrictions on the overboard discharge of fuel and oil, garbage and plastics, and untreated sewage.
Known Quagga & Zebra Mussel Locations in California
June 4, 2008 - Waterway restrictions may change and there may be vessel inspection details not provided in the summary. We urge boaters before traveling to contact the waterway management agency in question to obtain current and accurate information on any restrictions that may be in place. There is a list provided as a courtesy by the State of California at: www.dbw.ca.gov/BoaterInfo/QuaggaLoc.aspx. For further information on the Quagga and Zebra mussel incident, visit the Department of Fish and Game’s site at: www.dfg.ca.gov
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