WATERCRAFT MANAGEMENT PRACTICES
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is asking boaters to report how they operate and maintain their boats as a part of determining new recreational watercraft management practices. The deadline for comments is June 2.
"Management Practices would be methods, techniques, or tools which could mitigate any environmental impact of normal discharges into our waters,"
said BoatUS Vice President of Government Affairs Margaret Podlich. "They will vary according to boat type and what that vessel could potentially discharge. For example, the EPA is looking at engine maintenance and could create a management practice that requires the use of a bilge sock to soak up oil in your engine compartment. Of course, this couldn't apply to a rowboat. But it's important to understand they are looking at all recreational watercraft."
To hear boaters' concerns and suggestions, the EPA has set up two ways to
communicate: Boaters can be heard at the agency's alternative weekly online webinars that started March 21 and end April 25; or Boaters can e-mail the EPA directly at CleanBoatingAct-HQ@EPA.GOV until June 2. -- Read on:
http://www.boating-industry.com/output.cfm?id=2735713
Courtesy of Great Lakes Scuttlebutt.
