Feeling Gouged @ the Pumps? Just Wait…….
……..there could be another fee for anglers on the horizon. Not only fisherman, but the skiers, folks who cruise on the party barges and who run around on personal watercraft. For the past year and half we have been battling against our own state about higher fees, but this time a new “tax” could be levied against boaters by of all agencies, in a round about way, the EPA.
Call it a fee, a permit….its a tax by any other name. This new proposed cost was not originally designed for the boaters, but for sea going tankers and freighters who travel the St. Lawrence and make their way through the Great Lakes. Its goal was to prevent the emptying of bilge and ballast water from these great ships, not the boaters who instill billions of dollars back into our state’s economy. Unfortunately, nobody bothered to actually put that into writing.
I actually learned about this from an article written by Jim Lynch, in last Tuesday’s Detroit News’s Metro Section. I took some time to look into a few things before writing about it. Mr. Lynch wrote that:
Boaters worry they could be forced to acquire a new permit-one that is rumored to cost anywhere from tens of dollars to more than a thousand for dispelling engine cooling water, bilge water, deck runoff and “gray water” used in showering and other duties.
Engine cooling water? That can mean anything from the water used in the big freighters boilers, right down to that lil’ spout of water that comes out the back of our outboards. That’s the problem when taking a longer look at this proposal, its too ambiguous and too “all encompassing”.
Although the EPA states they will not be any permit fees associated with the program, which could be started up this fall, it seems like many have LOTS of doubts. The main concern stems from who will be issuing these permits. The fear is that it will be left up to the states, who seem to be looking for money from any source they can get their hands on.
From the article:
“The states would have the ability to charge a fee”, said Maragaret Podlich, vice president of government affairs for the Washington D.C. based Boat Owners Association of the United States. “And looking at the financial straits that they are in, of course they would.”
Former Michigan Secretary of State, now U.S. Representative Candice Miller from Harrison Township has pushed to help alleviate the problem, but “The Clean Boating Act” still faces Senate approval. Unfortunately it seems like congress is extremely busy this time of year, and this might not take place before the implementation of the new EPA standards.
These invasive species that the standards are trying to protect the Great Lakes from, all were introduced by the sea going ships that bring cargo into the Great Lakes region. That hasn’t stopped some eco-fringe groups from trying to snare all non-sea going vessels into the loop though.
Right now there are already standards in place in Michigan to prevent the spread of these species. You have to buy your minnows from state approved retailers. I believe there are fines in place for transporting zebra muscles and gobies, I may be wrong on that point though, still waiting for a call back from the state to clarify that point. Regardless, there are numerous warning against doing so. I tried to get a hold of Representative Miller yesterday, but she was busy at the parade for the Stanley Cup winning Red Wings. Guess I cannot blame her too much for that. She certainly looked like she was having a good time.
You can reach the congresswoman at these phone and fax number, or email Candice Miller.
Shelby Township Office: Phone: 586.997.5010 Fax: 586.997.5013
Washington DC Office: Phone: 202.225.2106 Fax: 202.226.1169