Go for a boat ride, it’s a Law
Written by Michael Vass
So there is good news out among all boaters today. Something which most did not think was going to happen if you asked them on July 2nd. In fact I was among those with a bleak outlook on the future of recreational boating in the U.S.
But on July 22nd Congress got it’s act together and passed the Clean Boating Act of 2008. To refresh the memories of some, without this the Environmental Protection Agency was set to penalize recreational boaters. The EPA would have required boaters to purchase new permits and the cost to have a boat would have skyrocketed as regulations meant for sewage treatment plants would have been applied to anglers and recreational boaters alike. Effectively it would have taken the ability of 17 million Americans to have fun out of the realm of reality.
President Bush today ensured that the Clean Boating Act would remain in force by signing the Act and making it a law today. Effectively I imagine that both Congress and the President both received a boost to their low approval ratings with this passage.
As slow as Congress is, when the Act lost approval by 1 vote on Jully 2nd, many believed that the EPA would be in charge. I have to admit that I am surprised by the non-partisan commaradrie that took place to pass this Act. It shows us that when Americans rally together Congress wakes up and does what the people want. Now if only they could do something about domestic drilling and/or reparations and I’d be even happier.
Until then at least we can all enjoy a nice ride on the lake, river, or other body of water.
