Yesterday morning at about 11 a.m. the Senate passed with “unanimous consent” S.2766, “The Clean Boating Act of 2008” (a.k.a., EPA Permit Relief Act). Then, at about 3:30 p.m. the House of Representatives took up the same bill that had already been passed by the Senate and passed it by an overwhelming majority. As you read these words the bill is on its way to the White House for the President’s signature. After nearly two years of effort on the part of the boating industry and tens of thousands of boat owners – including nearly 30,000 BoatTEST.com members who contacted Congress – America’s congressional representatives have deep-sixed what could have been the most oppressive regulations ever to be inflicted on recreational boat owners anywhere. Sen. Lisa Murkowski’s 11th hour “hold” on passage turned out to be a three-week cliff-hanger right out of Hollywood.

Commercial fishermen risk their lives every day and work hard for their money.

With issues such as Medicare, Iraq war funding, the home mortgage meltdown, offshore oil drilling, an energy policy and dozens of other items of important legislation pending, it is a tribute to the industry’s lobbyists, the efforts of Boat/US, and the key congressional players that the Clean Boating Act of 2008 was passed. Not only was it passed, but it passed both houses of congress in a matter of hours.

Making Murkowski Happy

In the best traditions of congress, Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-CA) who was one of the original sponsors of the bill and Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) worked out a compromise several days ago that got what America’s boat owners wanted, but also got a 2-year extension of the EPA’s current regulations for commercial vessels under 79’. We are told that the two Senators met privately and worked out a compromise that would have an independent commission investigate the possible pollutants from the commercial vessels involved and propose legislation later for commercial boats that takes into account the realities of their operations. The identical bills, S.3928 and HR 6556, to delay implementation of EPA rules for commercial vessels, were passed at the very same time as was the Clean Boating Act of 2008. Apparently, Sen. Murkowski was taking no chances that someone might wiggle out of the deal.

The 120’ Annandale owned by Trident Seafood and operated out of Craig, AK, is a popular R&R venue for elected officials and our current president.

Commercial Fishermen Need Reasonable Rules, Too

“S. 3298 will exempt small commercial vessels and all fishing vessels from obtaining EPA permits for two years while the agency studies the nature and impacts of discharges that are normal to the operation of these vessels," Congressman Steve LaTourette (R-OH) said. "Following the submission of the required report, Congress will have better tools to determine if these discharges should be regulated or exempted, as will be the case for recreational vessels."

“These bills are an important and significant first step. Our commercial fishing industry is suffering from increased fuel costs, catch limitations and the economic slump," said U.S. Rep. Frank LoBiondo (R-NJ). "At a time when our economy is experiencing a downturn, it is critically important Congress approve legislation that will protect both the recreational and commercial boating industries and the millions of jobs they support."

Sen. Nelson (D-FL)	Sen. Boxer (D-CA)	Sen. Murray (D-WA)	Sen. Burr (R-NC)	Sen. Schumer (D-NY)

Senatorial Heroes

A number of Senators went to the mat for America’s pleasure boat owners including Patty Murray (D-WA), Richard Burr (R-NC), Mel Martinez (R-FL) and Chuck Schumer (D-NY), all of whom have a significant number of commercial fishermen living in their states. The driving force behind the bill from the beginning and the Senator who so expertly worked both sides of the aisle and choreographed the final passage like the second act of Swan Lake was Senator Bill Nelson (D-FL).

BoatTEST.com’s Special Coverage

Since airing the first video of NMMA President Thom Dammrich sounding the first alarm in May, 2007, Boat TEST.com published nearly two dozen articles and several videos on what we called “the EPA Permit Fiasco.” Some of our readers cried “uncle” weeks ago, complaining that they had read enough about it and were sick of it. You can imagine how tired we were of writing about it. Yet, having seen injustice foisted off on boaters before, and knowing how delicate the boating economy is even in the best of times, BoatTEST.com management made the editorial judgment to fight for passage of sensible legislation until the bitter end.

This is one permit book that will never be used.

BoatTEST Members Rock!

All of the staff of BoatTEST would like to thank the thousands of loyal members who took time from their busy schedules to again and again contact their Senators and Congressmen about the matter. Our members have been commended by the president of the NMMA and by the industry’s lobbyists in Washington for letting the Hill know that American boaters cared.

Over and out.