New US Regulations - Your Chance for Input

George Burke on Tuesday April 5, 2011 10:45AM

Having recently imposed new regulations for the commercial marine industry and boatyards, the Federal EPA is now focusing its attention on recreational boating. As we are learning, the members of the EPA panels responsible for these new regulations are not necessarily knowledgeable about sailors, sailboats, or the seamanship that we practice.

FBYC members have an opportunity for input. What follows is a communication from BOATUS listing links that will enable you to have a voice in this important debate of vital interest to FBYC sailors:

"The U.S. Environment Protection Agency (EPA) is developing future clean boating requirements for all recreational boats in the next few months, and they need to hear from you. During April, they are hosting weekly "webinars" to solicit boater input (April 6 - 6 pm, April 14 - 8 pm, April 22 - 10 am, and April 25 - 12 pm; all eastern time). I'm writing to encourage you to participate in one of these online events.

For more information on the webinars and to register in advance (which is required): http://water.epa.gov/lawsregs/lawsguidance/cwa/vessel/CBA/participate.cfm.

A specific list of proposed requirements is not yet available. We do know that sewage will not be discussed or covered - it's part of a different law. EPA is looking at several broad categories of vessel discharges:

Antifouling paints and zincs,
Graywater (from showers and sinks),
Bilge water (with concern about oil and grease, which is already illegal to discharge),
Cleaning products/maintenance practices,
Disposal of garbage and fishing waste,
Transport of invasive species. "

New US Regulations - Your Chance for Input

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