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Maryland News
March 15, 2011
Maryland Boaters have a particular opportunity to comment
EPA Listening Session on regulation to implement the Clean Boating Act
The United States Environmental Protection Agency is holding public listening sessions as they develop regulations and best management practices to implement the Clean Boating Act. Two live sessions have been scheduled as well as several "webinars" to gather boaters' perspectives on clean boating techniques that are practical for everyday boating.
EPA has created web pages on this issue: EPA Clean Boating Act Web Site
A specific list of the proposed requirements is not yet available. We do know that sewage will not be discussed or covered – it’s part of a different law. It appears that EPA is looking at several broad categories of vessel discharges (including the use of antifouling paints and zincs, gray water (from showers and sinks), bilge water (with concern about oil and grease, which is already illegal to discharge), the use of cleaning products, disposal of garbage and fishing waste, and the transport of invasive species.
Boaters need to help EPA understand that that any new mandatory “best management practices” must be based in science, and should be both practical and realistic on actual boats.
There are three ways for boaters to let EPA know their views:
- Two in person meeting
Meeting Details:
Where: Doubletree Hotel, 210 Holiday Court, Annapolis, Maryland, 21401
When: March 18th, 7 pm and April 29th, 7 pm
- Email EPA directly at CleanBoatingAct-HQ@EPA.GOV
The EPA notice for these meeting and public participation opportunities can be found here: Clean Boating Act Meeting FR Notice
For clean boating tips and techniques visit the BoatU.S. Foundation for Boating Safety & Clean Water's clean boating web page : Foundation Clean Boating
Proposed No Discharge Zone
March 18, 2010
The hearing on House Bill 1257 is still scheduled before the Maryland House Environmental Matters Committee tomorrow. See the previous entries for additional information.
March 15, 2010
The hearing on Senate Bill 513 is still scheduled before the Maryland State Senate Education, Health and Environmental Affairs Committee tomorrow. See the previous entries for additional information.
March 11, 2010
As of this date, this is the current hearing information for the No Discharge Zone legislation:
Senate Bill 513 will be reviewed by the Senate Education, Health, and Environmental Affairs Committee on Tuesday, March 16th. The hearing will begin at 1:00 pm but anyone who wishes to be heard on this legislation must sign the witness register by 12:40 pm. The hearing will be held in 2 West Miller Senate Office Building, 11 Bladen Street, Annapolis, MD 21401
House Bill 1257, legislation identical to Senate Bill 513, will be reviewed by the House Environmental Matters Committee on Friday, March 19th. The hearing will be held at 1:00 pm. Anyone wishing to speak my register at the hearing. Any written testimony must be submitted one hour before the hearing. The hearing will be held in Room 250, House Office Building, Annapolis, MD 21401
March 4, 2010
A hearing on the proposed No Discharge Zone legislation has been scheduled for March 19th, 2010 at 1 pm before the House of Delegates Enviromental Matters Committee.
Hearing details:
- Room 250, House Office Building, Annapolis, MD 21401
- Anyone wishing to testify must sign the witness register before the hearing begins. If you are submitting written testimony you must submit 40 copies to the committee staff for distribution one hour prior to the hearing.
- The Committees web site is: http://mlis.state.md.us/2010rs/hearsch/0304_env.htm
The time and place of the hearing can change up until the last minute, so check the state website again before driving to Annapolis!
March 1, 2010
The BoatUS Government Affairs team would like to make you aware of legislative activity that may affect Maryland boaters. We encourage you to share your personal point of view with your elected representatives. We have included appropriate contact information below.
Here is what is being proposed:
Maryland Attorney General Doug Gansler has introduced legislation that would establish a "No Discharge Zone" for all Maryland waters. This means there would be no discharge of boat sewage - treated or untreated - from any vessels into Maryland waters. Currently, treated sewage from Type I and II Marine Sanitation Devices (like a LectraSan) can be discharged. It is already illegal in all U.S. waters to discharge untreated sewage from boat toilets (black water).
House Bill 1257 and Senate Bill 513, which are identical, would change Maryland law to prohibit the discharge of treated sewage from Type I and II MSD's in all boats and ships in Maryland.
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The bills would take effect June 1, 2010 (or after approval from the federal EPA). |
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If passed, the Dept. of Natural Resources must proceed to authorize routine inspections of sewage equipment (in all boats) and periodic dye flush tests of your boat's head(s). |
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The bills would create a $10,000 fine per occurrence for a violation. |
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Speak Up! |
| Many BoatUS members have indicated they have strong opinions on this topic. We encourage you to: |
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Call or email your state representatives - especially those who are cosponsors of these bills. |
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To contact your Representatives, click here: http://mlis.state.md.us/mgaweb/mail32.aspx |
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You may also attend and speak at the Senate Committee Hearing on March 16. (This is an opportunity for the legislators to listen to comments and concerns about the bill's merits from their colleagues and from the general public before voting on the bill.) |
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Hearing Details: Tuesday March 16, 1 pm
2 West Miller Senate Building, 11 Bladen Street, Annapolis, MD 21401 http://mlis.state.md.us/2010RS/hearsch/0225_ehe.htm
The time and place of the hearing can change up until the last minute, so check the state website again before driving to Annapolis! |
For Full Text of the Bills:
http://mlis.state.md.us/2010rs/billfile/hb1257.htm
February 3, 2010
Legislation that would implement a No Discharge Zone of both treated and untreated sewage from all vessels in Maryland waters has been introduced in the Maryland State Senate. The bill number is SB513.
Particulars to note:
- This does not include grey water (sinks/showers). It covers black water from installed toilets.
- The proposed fine for a violation is $10,000, while the state’s fine for manslaughter is $500 or bribing a voter is $500.
- This is no grandfather clause for current owners of Type I or Type II MSD’s.
Additional information and the text of the legislation can be found at the following link:
http://mlis.state.md.us/2010rs/billfile/sb0513.htm
To contact your legislator:
http://mlis.state.md.us/mgaweb/mail32.aspx
January 19, 2010
This spring, we expect the Attorney General of Maryland to push forward state legislation to make all Maryland waters a No Discharge Zone for treated and untreated sewage from all vessels. If this legislation is passed, the state will then work with the federal EPA to get official NDZ designation. BoatU.S. will be watching this proposal.
At this time, the legislation has not yet been introduced. You can check http://mlis.state.md.us/#bill to see the bill when it is public, or check back here at boatus.com/gov.
If you would like to be alerted when action is being taken on this bill, please email BoatU.S.'s government affairs office at govtaffairs@boatus.com
New Boating Report Published:
February 1, 2009
During 2008, a Task Force established by the Maryland legislature met to evaluate and make recommendations regarding protecting and growing the boating industry in Maryland. Maryland's boating industry is a major economic activity creating $2.5 billion in total nominal spending and generating over 32,000 jobs. This group's goals included identifying factors for promoting and maintaining access to the water for boaters. Several of the Report's recommendations will be important to boaters in Maryland as well as those planning a visit to Maryland. Of note: an array of discussion regarding the time limit for transient boaters to stay in Maryland before the boat is requried to pay the 5% vessel excise tax, as well as ideas to create a single boat launch permit for publicly owned ramps.
For the press release and full report: Click Here!
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