Good News: Vessel Discharge 3 year Exemption to be enacted!!
"The Senate was able to reach a compromise deal and, as part of the Coast Guard Reauthorization Act, just enacted a three year exemption for small vessels.
Broader reform on vessel discharge, including a permanent exemption for small vessels, remains a top priority for Senator Rubio in the next Congress and we look forward to continuing our engagement with you and your colleagues as, again, we work to get a more permanent solution across the finish line."
Once again our persistent hard work by NACO to gain a permanent exemption from the impact of the EPA NPDES requirements is paying off. Working with many other vessel associations and industry stakeholders NACO has been the leading voice to obtain a permanent exemption since the issue began in 2006. While we are extremely happy for the 3 year temporary exemption our work is not done. We will be working with our Congressional leaders in the next Congress to obtain a permanent exemption and are very optimistic we will be successful. NACO's efforts will save countless dollars and hours of regulatory burdens for our members.
We thank each of you that took time to individually contact your Senators in this effort.
While we were successful in gaining a 3 year extension for relief from the permit we will be steady working for permanent relief.
The Senate will reconvene September 5, 2014 and the two top issues we are facing are the Senate Bill S2444 USCG Reauthorization Bill (Life raft issue) and the S2094 Vessel Incidental Discharge Act. We have included copies of NACO's official letters below for you, our members, to utilize in the formation of your own indiviudal letters to your States Senators. If you need help finding your Senators fax numbers please let us know - we have those on file and are happy to help.
NACO's Official Letter regarding the S2444 USCG Reauthorization Bill is as follows: Please click here to view the letter
NACO's Official Letter regarding the S2094, the Vessel Incidental Discharge Act is as follows: Please click here to view the letter
It is imperative that we let our voices be heard by our Senators not only as an association fighting on the front lines to protect our members and the charter boat industry but also as individual constituents of the state that you and your family live and run your businesses in. Our Senators need to know how important it is that these two bills recieve Senate approval so that your ability to operate your businesses will not be adversely affected.