Government Affairs State Boating Info Maryland Boating News

Maryland Boating News -
No Discharge Zone

March 18, 2010

Proposed No Discharge Zone

The hearing on House Bill 1257 is still scheduled before the Maryland House Environmental Matters Committee tomorrow. See the previous entries below for additional information.

March 15, 2010

Proposed No Discharge Zone Update

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

Proposed No Discharge Zone Update

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

No Discharge Zone Hearing

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

March 1, 2010

Proposal No Discharge Zone

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.

Please note:

• The bills would take effect June 1, 2010 (or after approval from the federal EPA).
• 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).
• The bills would create a $10,000 fine per occurrence for a violation.

Speak Up!

Many BoatUS members have indicated they have strong opinions on this topic. We encourage you to:

• Call or email your state representatives - especially those who are cosponsors of these bills.
• To contact your Representatives, click here: http://mlis.state.md.us/mgaweb/mail32.aspx
• 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.)
• 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

February 3, 2010

Proposal No Discharge Zone

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

Proposal No Discharge Zone

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.

For specific questions about boating issues or BoatUS Government Affairs, please e-mail the department at GovtAffairs@BoatUS.com