Senators introduce Clean Boating Act of 2008

Senator Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.) and Senator Bill Nelson (D-Fla.) introduced the bill, S. 2766, The Clean Boating Act of 2008. If enacted into law before the Sept. 2008 deadline, the bill would permanently restore a long-standing regulation that excludes recreational boaters and anglers from federal and state permit requirements under the Clean Water Act, which was designed for land-based industrial facilities and ocean-going, commercial ships. If the bill does not pass, all recreational boats will be forced to obtain federal or state permits for everyday water-based discharges, like weather deck run-off and engine cooling water.