Saturday, July 26, 2025, 10:52PM | 
MENU
Advertisement

Boaters spared from pollution requirements

Boaters spared from pollution requirements

Last week, in a rare showing of bipartisan cooperation, the U.S. House and Senate approved a law that will help recreational boaters deal with environmental regulations, to the consternation of some conservationists.

The Clean Boating Act of 2008 permanently restores a long-standing exemption that allows recreational boats to avoid a costly permit that would otherwise be required under the Clean Water Act.

The legislation now goes to the White House where it is expected to get the president's signature.

Advertisement

The bill followed a 2006 U.S. District Court decision that would have required the owners of an estimated 17 million recreational boats to comply with Clean Water Act permit requirements. The permit would have mandated maintenance and operation procedures and subjected boaters to lawsuits and penalties designed for industrial polluters.

Opponents of the bill say the lower environmental standards enable recreational boaters to pollute the very ecosystems they enjoy.

"This is a fabulous victory for common sense," said Nancy Michelman, president of BoatU.S., a recreational boating industry group. "It just goes to show what can be done when the boating public, the marine industry and its representatives in Congress row together in a bipartisan way."

Among the main backers of the bill was Ohio Rep. Steve LaTourette. The backers included Senators Bill Nelson (D-FL) and Barbara Boxer (D-CA) and Representatives Jim Oberstar (D-MN), Candice Miller (R-MI) and Gene Taylor (D-MS).

Advertisement

First Published: August 3, 2008, 4:00 a.m.

RELATED
Comments Disabled For This Story
Partners
Advertisement
A huge Canadian flag carried by a crowd in Montreal in 1995, before a referendum on Quecec’s independence. Dennis Jett suggests Pennsylvania do the same in reverse.
1
opinion
Dennis Jett: Pennsylvania should become part of Canada
Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers throws a touchdown pass to DK Metcalf during Steelers Training Camp at Saint Vincent College in Latrobe on Friday, July 25, 2025.
2
sports
Steelers training camp observations: Aaron Rodgers, receivers bring 'wow' factor to Day 2
There is a large covered porch at the front of the house at 115 Forest Hills Road in Forest Hills.
3
life
Buying Here: Forest Hills home in its own 'mini-forest' listed for $425,000
Several houses are shown along N. Dallas Avenue near Penn Avenue in Point Breeze with “For Sale” signs in the front yard, Friday, March 21, 2025.
4
business
A cooling market and patient buyers are causing many Pittsburgh home sellers to cut their prices
A woman charged under the name Shannon Nicole Womack is accused of using fake names, fake references and fake credentials at staffing agencies to secure nursing jobs across Pennsylvania and beyond. Pennsylvania State Police urged health care providers across the state to check their records and study the woman’s photo to help identify other facilities she might have duped.
5
news
Pittsburgh 'fake nurse' linked to 5 more Pennsylvania facilities
Advertisement
LATEST news
Advertisement
TOP
Email a Story