http://www.washingtonwatch.com/bills info@washingtonwatch.com http://www.pjdoland.com/chai/?v=0.1 http://www.washingtonwatch.com/bills/history/110_HR_2550.html?rev=9020 <p>H.R. 2550 would amend the Federal Water Pollution Control Act relating to recreational vessels.</p> <h2 id="toc0"> Detailed Summary </h2> <p>This bill is intended to preserve the status quo for recreational boaters. It says that the water running off of or out of a properly-functioning recreational vessel will not be considered a pollutant. It also says that a recreational vessel is any vessel intended or used primarily for recreation (no size limitation imposed).</p> <p>This bill was written in order to exempt recreational boaters from a new EPA permit process designed to prevent large commercial vessels from bringing invasive species (like zebra mussels) to new ports in their bilge water. This bill is intended to save recreational boaters the cost of the permit (which might cost $20 to $100 per year), associated paperwork, and the cost of modifications to existing or new boats.</p> <p>The EPA has not yet developed the permit process, and has until September, 2008 to do so.</p> <h3 id="toc1">Congressional Research Service Summary</h3> <p>Recreational Boating Act of 2007 - Amends the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (popularly known as the Clean Water Act) to include within the meaning of the term &amp;quot;pollutant&amp;quot; any deck runoff from a recreational vessel, any engine cooling water, gray water, bilge water effluent from properly functioning recreational marine engines, laundry, shower, and galley sink wastes from a recreational vessel, or any other discharge incidental to the normal operation of a recreational vessel. States that this term does not apply to rubbish, trash, garbage, or other such materials discharged overboard by a recreational vessel.&lt;br&gt;</p> <!--Leave in the 'summary' tags if you want the latest summary from the Congressional Research Service automatically to replace the text between the tags once it becomes available. --> <h2 id="toc2"> Status of the Legislation </h2> <p>Latest Major Action: 5/25/2007: Referred to House subcommittee. Status: Referred to the Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment.</p> <!-- Leave in the 'status' tags if you want the latest reported status from THOMAS automatically to replace the text between the tags once it becomes available. --> <h2 id="toc3"> Points in Favor </h2> <ul> <li>The EPA will be prevented from writing certain types of new regulations for small boats</li> <li>Neither the EPA nor the states will be prevented from enforcing existing laws and regulations on pollution caused by small boats.</li> <li>The EPA will not be prevented from regulating discharge from marine heads.</li> <li>Will prevent the EPA from charging boat owners for a certain type of environmental permit it is now required to develop.</li> <li>Will prevent the EPA from requiring small boat owners to install water treatment systems on exhaust, bilge, sink, shower, etc. outflows.</li> <li>Will prevent the EPA from requiring boat manufacturers to redesign recreational boats to include water treatment systems on various water outflows.</li> </ul> <h2 id="toc4"> Points Against </h2> <ul> <li>A boat designed for recreational use is exempt from regulation, even if it is now being used for commercial purposes, and even if it is very large.</li> <li>A boat being used primarily for recreational purposes is exempt from regulation, even if it was designed for commercial use, and even if it is very large.</li> <li>Redefines the term &quot;pollutant&quot; to exclude certain types of runoff, discharge, and waste from vessels. This could provide a loophole for boat owners to get around regulations meant to deter the spread of invasive aquatic species.</li> <li>Specifically exempts &quot;any other discharge incidental to the normal operation of a recreational vessel&quot;, which exempts unregulated discharge of ballast water from water-ballasted recreational vessels as they travel from one body of fresh water to another.</li> <li>Because the case which prompted this bill is still working its way through the court system, it is unclear if this legislation will ever be necessary.</li> </ul> 9020@http://www.washingtonwatch.com Fri, 24 Aug 2007 17:14:20 EDT http://www.washingtonwatch.com/bills/history/110_HR_2550.html?rev=5315 <p>H.R. 2550 would amend the Federal Water Pollution Control Act relating to recreational vessels.</p> <h2 id="toc5"> Detailed Summary </h2> <p>This bill is intended to preserve the status quo for recreational boaters. It says that the water running off of or out of a properly-functioning recreational vessel will not be considered a pollutant. It also says that a recreational vessel is any vessel intended or used primarily for recreation (no size limitation imposed).</p> <p>This bill was written in order to exempt recreational boaters from a new EPA permit process designed to prevent large commercial vessels from bringing invasive species (like zebra mussels) to new ports in their bilge water. This bill is intended to save recreational boaters the cost of the permit (which might cost $20 to $100 per year), associated paperwork, and the cost of modifications to existing or new boats.</p> <p>The EPA has not yet developed the permit process, and has until September, 2008 to do so.</p> <h3 id="toc6">Congressional Research Service Summary</h3> <p>(not yet available)</p> <!--Leave in the 'summary' tags if you want the latest summary from the Congressional Research Service automatically to replace the text between the tags once it becomes available. --> <h2 id="toc7"> Status of the Legislation </h2> <p>Latest Major Action: 5/25/2007: Referred to House subcommittee. Status: Referred to the Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment.</p> <!-- Leave in the 'status' tags if you want the latest reported status from THOMAS automatically to replace the text between the tags once it becomes available. --> <h2 id="toc8"> Points in Favor </h2> <ul> <li>The EPA will be prevented from writing certain types of new regulations for small boats</li> <li>Neither the EPA nor the states will be prevented from enforcing existing laws and regulations on pollution caused by small boats.</li> <li>The EPA will not be prevented from regulating discharge from marine heads.</li> <li>Will prevent the EPA from charging boat owners for a certain type of environmental permit it is now required to develop.</li> <li>Will prevent the EPA from requiring small boat owners to install water treatment systems on exhaust, bilge, sink, shower, etc. outflows.</li> <li>Will prevent the EPA from requiring boat manufacturers to redesign recreational boats to include water treatment systems on various water outflows.</li> </ul> <h2 id="toc9"> Points Against </h2> <ul> <li>A boat designed for recreational use is exempt from regulation, even if it is now being used for commercial purposes, and even if it is very large.</li> <li>A boat being used primarily for recreational purposes is exempt from regulation, even if it was designed for commercial use, and even if it is very large.</li> <li>Redefines the term &quot;pollutant&quot; to exclude certain types of runoff, discharge, and waste from vessels. This could provide a loophole for boat owners to get around regulations meant to deter the spread of invasive aquatic species.</li> <li>Specifically exempts &quot;any other discharge incidental to the normal operation of a recreational vessel&quot;, which exempts unregulated discharge of ballast water from water-ballasted recreational vessels as they travel from one body of fresh water to another.</li> <li>Because the case which prompted this bill is still working its way through the court system, it is unclear if this legislation will ever be necessary.</li> </ul> 5315@http://www.washingtonwatch.com Tue, 24 Jul 2007 08:09:00 EDT http://www.washingtonwatch.com/bills/history/110_HR_2550.html?rev=5314 <p>H.R. 2550 would amend the Federal Water Pollution Control Act relating to recreational vessels.</p> <h2 id="toc10"> Detailed Summary </h2> <p>This bill is intended to preserve the status quo for recreational boaters. It says that the water running off of or out of a properly-functioning recreational vessel will not be considered a pollutant. It also says that a recreational vessel is any vessel intended or used primarily for recreation (no size limitation imposed).</p> <p>This bill was written in order to exempt recreational boaters from a new EPA permit process designed to prevent large commercial vessels from bringing invasive species (like zebra mussels) to new ports in their bilge water. This bill is intended to save recreational boaters the cost of the permit (which might cost $20 to $100 per year), associated paperwork, and the cost of modifications to existing or new boats.</p> <p>The EPA has not yet developed the permit process, and has until September, 2008 to do so.</p> <h3 id="toc11">Congressional Research Service Summary</h3> <p>(not yet available)</p> <!--Leave in the 'summary' tags if you want the latest summary from the Congressional Research Service automatically to replace the text between the tags once it becomes available. --> <h2 id="toc12"> Status of the Legislation </h2> <p>Latest Major Action: 5/25/2007: Referred to House subcommittee. Status: Referred to the Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment.</p> <!-- Leave in the 'status' tags if you want the latest reported status from THOMAS automatically to replace the text between the tags once it becomes available. --> <h2 id="toc13"> Points in Favor </h2> <ul> <li>The EPA will be prevented from writing certain types of new regulations for small boats</li> <li>Neither the EPA nor the states will be prevented from enforcing existing laws and regulations on pollution caused by small boats.</li> <li>The EPA will not be prevented from regulating discharge from marine heads.</li> <li>Will prevent the EPA from charging boat owners for a certain type of environmental permit it is now required to develop.</li> <li>Will prevent the EPA from requiring small boat owners to install water treatment systems on exhaust, bilge, sink, shower, etc. outflows.</li> <li>Will prevent the EPA from requiring boat manufacturers to redesign recreational boats to include water treatment systems on various water outflows.</li> </ul> <h2 id="toc14"> Points Against </h2> <ul> <li>A boat designed for recreational use is exempt from regulation, even if it is now being used for commercial purposes, and even if it is very large.</li> <li>A boat being used primarily for recreational purposes is exempt from regulation, even if it was designed for commercial use, and even if it is very large.</li> <li>Redefines the term &quot;pollutant&quot; to exclude certain types of runoff, discharge, and waste from vessels. This could provide a loophole for boat owners to get around regulations meant to deter the spread of invasive aquatic species.</li> <li>Specifically exempts &quot;any other discharge incidental to the normal operation of a recreational vessel&quot;, which exempts unregulated discharge of ballast water from water-ballasted recreational vessels as they travel from one body of fresh water to another.</li> </ul> 5314@http://www.washingtonwatch.com Tue, 24 Jul 2007 07:59:14 EDT http://www.washingtonwatch.com/bills/history/110_HR_2550.html?rev=5313 <p>H.R. 2550 would amend the Federal Water Pollution Control Act relating to recreational vessels.</p> <h2 id="toc15"> Detailed Summary </h2> <p>This bill is intended to preserve the status quo for recreational boaters. It says that the water running off of or out of a properly-functioning recreational vessel will not be considered a pollutant. It also says that a recreational vessel is any vessel intended or used primarily for recreation (no size limitation imposed).</p> <p>This bill was written in order to exempt recreational boaters from a new EPA permit process designed to prevent large commercial vessels from bringing invasive species (like zebra mussels) to new ports in their bilge water. This bill is intended to save recreational boaters the cost of the permit (which might cost $20 to $100 per year), associated paperwork, and the cost of modifications to existing or new boats.</p> <p>The EPA has not yet developed the permit process, and has until September, 2008 to do so.</p> <h3 id="toc16">Congressional Research Service Summary</h3> <p>(not yet available)</p> <!--Leave in the 'summary' tags if you want the latest summary from the Congressional Research Service automatically to replace the text between the tags once it becomes available. --> <h2 id="toc17"> Status of the Legislation </h2> <p>Latest Major Action: 5/25/2007: Referred to House subcommittee. Status: Referred to the Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment.</p> <!-- Leave in the 'status' tags if you want the latest reported status from THOMAS automatically to replace the text between the tags once it becomes available. --> <h2 id="toc18"> Points in Favor </h2> <ul> <li>The EPA will be prevented from writing certain types of new regulations for small boats</li> <li>Neither the EPA nor the states will be prevented from enforcing existing laws and regulations on pollution caused by small boats.</li> <li>The EPA will not be prevented from regulating discharge from marine heads.</li> <li>Will prevent the EPA from charging boat owners for an environmental permit</li> <li>Will prevent the EPA from requiring small boat owners to install water treatment systems on exhaust, bilge, sink, shower, etc. outflows.</li> <li>Will prevent the EPA from requiring boat manufacturers to redesign recreational boats to include water treatment systems on various water outflows.</li> </ul> <h2 id="toc19"> Points Against </h2> <ul> <li>A boat designed for recreational use is exempt from regulation, even if it is now being used for commercial purposes, and even if it is very large.</li> <li>A boat being used primarily for recreational purposes is exempt from regulation, even if it was designed for commercial use, and even if it is very large.</li> <li>Redefines the term &quot;pollutant&quot; to exclude certain types of runoff, discharge, and waste from vessels. This could provide a loophole for boat owners to get around regulations meant to deter the spread of invasive aquatic species.</li> <li>Specifically exempts &quot;any other discharge incidental to the normal operation of a recreational vessel&quot;, which exempts unregulated discharge of ballast water from water-ballasted recreational vessels as they travel from one body of fresh water to another.</li> </ul> 5313@http://www.washingtonwatch.com Tue, 24 Jul 2007 07:57:59 EDT http://www.washingtonwatch.com/bills/history/110_HR_2550.html?rev=5312 <p>H.R. 2550 would amend the Federal Water Pollution Control Act relating to recreational vessels.</p> <h2 id="toc20"> Detailed Summary </h2> <p>This bill is intended to preserve the status quo for recreational boaters. It says that the water running off of or out of a properly-functioning recreational vessel will not be considered a pollutant. It also says that a recreational vessel is any vessel intended or used primarily for recreation (no size limitation imposed).</p> <p>This bill was written in order to exempt recreational boaters from a new EPA permit process designed to prevent large commercial vessels from bringing invasive species (like zebra mussels) to new ports in their bilge water. This bill is intended to save recreational boaters the cost of the permit (which might cost $20 to $100 per year), associated paperwork, and the cost of modifications to existing or new boats.</p> <p>The EPA has not yet developed the permit process, and has until September, 2008 to do so.</p> <h3 id="toc21">Congressional Research Service Summary</h3> <p>(not yet available)</p> <!--Leave in the 'summary' tags if you want the latest summary from the Congressional Research Service automatically to replace the text between the tags once it becomes available. --> <h2 id="toc22"> Status of the Legislation </h2> <p>Latest Major Action: 5/25/2007: Referred to House subcommittee. Status: Referred to the Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment.</p> <!-- Leave in the 'status' tags if you want the latest reported status from THOMAS automatically to replace the text between the tags once it becomes available. --> <h2 id="toc23"> Points in Favor </h2> <ul> <li>Amends the existing clean water laws to exempt small boats from certain provisions of certain regulations that the EPA is required to write.</li> <li>Will prevent the EPA from charging boat owners for an environmental permit</li> <li>Will prevent the EPA from requiring small boat owners to install water treatment systems on exhaust, bilge, sink, shower, etc. outflows.</li> <li>Will prevent the EPA from requiring boat manufacturers to redesign recreational boats to include water treatment systems on various water outflows.</li> </ul> <h2 id="toc24"> Points Against </h2> <ul> <li>A boat designed for recreational use is exempt from regulation, even if it is now being used for commercial purposes, and even if it is very large.</li> <li>A boat being used primarily for recreational purposes is exempt from regulation, even if it was designed for commercial use, and even if it is very large.</li> <li>Redefines the term &quot;pollutant&quot; to exclude certain types of runoff, discharge, and waste from vessels. This could provide a loophole for boat owners to get around regulations meant to deter the spread of invasive aquatic species.</li> <li>Specifically exempts &quot;any other discharge incidental to the normal operation of a recreational vessel&quot;, which exempts unregulated discharge of ballast water from water-ballasted recreational vessels as they travel from one body of fresh water to another.</li> </ul> 5312@http://www.washingtonwatch.com Tue, 24 Jul 2007 07:40:39 EDT http://www.washingtonwatch.com/bills/history/110_HR_2550.html?rev=3961 <p>H.R. 2550 would amend the Federal Water Pollution Control Act relating to recreational vessels.</p> <h2 id="toc25"> Detailed Summary </h2> <p>(Log in to edit the wiki and be the first to provide a detailed summary of the bill!)</p> <!--Leave in the 'summary' tags if you want the latest summary from the Congressional Research Service automatically to replace the text between the tags once it becomes available. --> <h2 id="toc26"> Status of the Legislation </h2> <p>Latest Major Action: 5/24/2007: Referred to House committee. Status: Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.</p> <!-- Leave in the 'status' tags if you want the latest reported status from THOMAS automatically to replace the text between the tags once it becomes available. --> <h2 id="toc27"> Points in Favor </h2> <p>(Log in to edit the wiki and be the first to show why the bill should pass!)<br /> <!-- First editor: Go ahead and take out the sentence in parentheses, and this notice! --> </p> <h2 id="toc28"> Points Against </h2> <p>(Log in to edit the wiki and be the first to show why the bill should not pass!)<br /> <!-- First editor: Go ahead and take out the sentence in parentheses, and this notice! --> </p> 3961@http://www.washingtonwatch.com Wed, 11 Jul 2007 17:14:50 EDT http://www.washingtonwatch.com/bills/history/110_HR_2550.html?rev=3962 <p>H.R. 2550 would amend the Federal Water Pollution Control Act relating to recreational vessels.</p> <h2 id="toc29"> Detailed Summary </h2> <p>(Log in to edit the wiki and be the first to provide a detailed summary of the bill!)</p> <!--Leave in the 'summary' tags if you want the latest summary from the Congressional Research Service automatically to replace the text between the tags once it becomes available. --> <h2 id="toc30"> Status of the Legislation </h2> <p>Latest Major Action: 5/25/2007: Referred to House subcommittee. Status: Referred to the Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment.</p> <!-- Leave in the 'status' tags if you want the latest reported status from THOMAS automatically to replace the text between the tags once it becomes available. --> <h2 id="toc31"> Points in Favor </h2> <p>(Log in to edit the wiki and be the first to show why the bill should pass!)<br /> <!-- First editor: Go ahead and take out the sentence in parentheses, and this notice! --> </p> <h2 id="toc32"> Points Against </h2> <p>(Log in to edit the wiki and be the first to show why the bill should not pass!)<br /> <!-- First editor: Go ahead and take out the sentence in parentheses, and this notice! --> </p> 3962@http://www.washingtonwatch.com Wed, 11 Jul 2007 17:14:50 EDT