The EPA thinks you do.  At least they’re going to treat you like you do.

EPA regulations which go into affect in September of this year will require all boats to get a “discharge” permit.  This permit would regulate engine cooling water, bilge water, and even deck runoff.   The permit, of course, comes with a fee.

The original intent of the regulations is good.  They’re designed to help reduce and eliminate many of the environmental problems that result from large ocean-going vessels taking on water in one part of the world and discharging it in another part.  Invasive species and chemical contamination are just two results that impact everyone.

It’s rediculous, however, to place those same regulations on the Alumacraft Navigator that never leaves Lake Wisconsin.  Before now, the EPA has always differentiated between big ships and small recreational boats.  That will change this fall–unless Congress does something about it.   And you’ll be the one to pay the price–literally!

A few members of Congress are trying to put some common sense back into the law with Senate Bill 2677, “The Clean Boating Act of 2008″.  Boatblue.org has details, but they need your help.  As a boater, you need to contact your Senators (in Wisconsin they are Herb Kohl (D) and Russ Feingold (D); links are to their official contact pages) and tell them how important it is for them to support this bill.