The National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) is celebrating a potential reduction in red tape, following the House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee (T&I) approval of commonsense legislation known as 'The Clean Boating Act'.

It will ensure recreational boaters and anglers, including un-inspected charter fishing boats, will not need federal permits to operate their boats.

'The Clean Boating Act is a bipartisan, good government solution to a looming administrative and legal crisis for boaters across America,' said Scott Gudes, NMMA vice president of Government Relations.

'On behalf of America's recreational marine industry and the nation's 59 million adult boaters, NMMA thanks all the Committee members for moving this crucial bill forward.'

The Clean Boating Act would fully and permanently restore a longstanding regulation that excludes recreational boaters and anglers from the federal and state permitting requirements under the Clean Water Act designed for land-based industrial facilities and ocean-going commercial ships.

This exemption was overturned by a federal court in 2006 in a case focused exclusively on ballast water from commercial vessels.

The Clean Boating Act has the support of the $37 billion recreational marine industry, the nation's 59 million adult recreational boaters and more than 50 organizations involved in outdoor recreation, sportfishing, hunting and conservation.

'The Committee has done good work in passing this legislation,' said Thom Dammrich, NMMA president.

'Now it is time for Congress to swiftly pass the Clean Boating Act of 2008 to not only preserve one of America's favorite ways to enjoy the great outdoors, but also the American marine manufacturing industry that provides hundreds of thousands jobs in this country.

'America's boaters want to protect our natural resources and deserve to enjoy the outdoors without federal red tape and excessive legal jeopardy.'

National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) is the leading association representing the recreational boating industry. NMMA member companies produce more than 80 percent of the boats, engines, trailers, accessories and gear used by boaters in the United States.

The association is dedicated to industry growth through programs in public policy, market research and data, product quality assurance and marketing communications.

More at www.nmma.org

by Jeni Bone