Please Co-Sponsor S. 2766 or H.R. 5949 – they are identical bills – the "Clean Boating Act of 2008." Committees on BOTH houses have PASSED this BI-PARTISAN Legislation!

1,028 People Have Sent 9,691 Letters and Emails

Sign the Petition

Some recent comments: these messages are published with permission of the signer.

Total Signers: 1,028    View More: 11 10 9    8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

  1. Wed., May. 21, 2008 8:34 PM    link ANDREW G. | Forest Hills, NY

    IF THIS PASSES IT WILL KILL PLEASURE BOATING AND PUT BOAT DEALERS OUT OF BUSINESS.
    THIS WILL HURT THE US ECONOMY.

  2. This comment has been reported to the site manager. It will be reviewed and removed if inappropriate. Thank you!

  3. Wed., May. 21, 2008 8:00 PM    link Thomas C. | Austin, TX

  4. Wed., May. 21, 2008 7:54 PM    link Bill P. | Columbia, SC

    Not only is the cost of fuel to high, adding an additional fee for a permit to operate a boat on our lakes will cause many recreational boaters to give up on ownership futher adding to the loss of jobs.

  5. This comment has been reported to the site manager. It will be reviewed and removed if inappropriate. Thank you!

  6. Wed., May. 21, 2008 7:42 PM    link Gerry G. | Milfford, NH

  7. Wed., May. 21, 2008 7:38 PM    link Gerry G. | Milfford, NH

  8. Wed., May. 21, 2008 7:33 PM    link Kenneth C. | Humble, TX

  9. Wed., May. 21, 2008 7:31 PM    link Frank S. | Mclean, VA

    I am counting on you to stop this mindless intrusion into the lives of recreational boaters across America.

  10. This comment has been reported to the site manager. It will be reviewed and removed if inappropriate. Thank you!

  11. Wed., May. 21, 2008 7:24 PM    link Chuck N. | Colorado Springs, CO

    I guarantee that my vote in the upcoming and future elections will align with whom ever votes FOR either S. 2766, the “Clean Boating Act of 2008” or H.R. 5949, the Clean Boating Act of 2008.

  12. This comment has been reported to the site manager. It will be reviewed and removed if inappropriate. Thank you!

  13. Wed., May. 21, 2008 7:23 PM    link Bert S. | Trabuco Canyon, CA

    Please help us,,We have just purchased this fun family boat...It's going to be hard to enjoy it with the high gas prices, but to get extra permits to boot would be a crime...We only go to Lake Havasu and if we need permits with the other added cost,,we may have to seel the family boat...
    Bert Schipper

  14. This comment has been reported to the site manager. It will be reviewed and removed if inappropriate. Thank you!

  15. Wed., May. 21, 2008 7:23 PM    link Chuck N. | Colorado Springs, CO

    I guarantee that my vote in the upcoming and future elections will align with whom ever votes FOR either S. 2766, the “Clean Boating Act of 2008” or H.R. 5949, the Clean Boating Act of 2008 .

  16. This comment has been reported to the site manager. It will be reviewed and removed if inappropriate. Thank you!

  17. Wed., May. 21, 2008 7:19 PM    link Bert S. | Trabuco Canyon, CA

    Please help us,,We have just purchased this fun family boat...It's going to be hard to enjoy it with the high gas prices, but to get extra permits to boot would be a crime...
    Bert Schipper

  18. This comment has been reported to the site manager. It will be reviewed and removed if inappropriate. Thank you!

  19. Wed., May. 21, 2008 6:44 PM    link gerald b. | millstone, NJ

  20. Wed., May. 21, 2008 6:16 PM    link Steve P. | Belchertown, MA

  21. Wed., May. 21, 2008 6:00 PM    link Bill F. | Delanco, NJ

  22. Wed., May. 21, 2008 6:00 PM    link Philip L. | S Milwaukee, WI

    It will accomplish nothing since every boater will get a permit and the discharge will be exactly the same, at a huge added, unecessary cost!

  23. This comment has been reported to the site manager. It will be reviewed and removed if inappropriate. Thank you!

  24. Wed., May. 21, 2008 5:59 PM    link Dwayne L. | Maxton, NC

    If having a permit for this type of discharge as in engine cooling, wash down water rain fun-off and these other absurd listings are passed. That would mean you would have to have epa for water run off on your vehicle, house and any other thing in rains on and of course with engine discharge plants that use water for cooling such as electrical plants and any other plant would start costing more to operate. Don't the government think they have burdened the USA enough with gas prices, food, and all these other absurd charges they keep burdening the US with. I think this bill should be vetoed. It will cause a lot of recreational and cruising boaters to boat less because of this bill.......

    Please veto this bill.

    Dwayne Lambert

  25. This comment has been reported to the site manager. It will be reviewed and removed if inappropriate. Thank you!

  26. Wed., May. 21, 2008 5:49 PM    link Richard R. | Johnsburg, IL

    Boating is an expensive enough hobby to begin with! Recreational boaters do not harm the environment, we are appretiative of mother nature and do not further pollute the waterways.

  27. This comment has been reported to the site manager. It will be reviewed and removed if inappropriate. Thank you!

  28. Wed., May. 21, 2008 5:20 PM    link Patrick B. | Cheshire, CT

    Senator,
    We need your help. Please take a minute to consider this request. Its good for the environment, its good for boaters and its good for American industry.

  29. This comment has been reported to the site manager. It will be reviewed and removed if inappropriate. Thank you!

  30. Wed., May. 21, 2008 4:48 PM    link Donald C. | Tiverton, RI

  31. Wed., May. 21, 2008 4:46 PM    link Naif K. | Gibert, AZ

    To our state leaders:
    Please take this issue seriously boating is one of Americas favorite past times. Boating in America strengthen family's in that it promotes spending time together without any of the distractions of this artificial age we live in. I'm family man who enjoys spending time with my wife and kids in the natural habitat that we are so fortunate to have. The amazing thing about our country is that you don’t have to be rich to enjoy boating, as is the case in most countries around the world. My wife and I have a modest salary and we saved a long time to be able to afford a boat so that we can enjoy our natural habitat it with our kids I urge you to not take this away from us. Today many kids spend their time indoors with video games and not out doors, as was the case when we grew up. We have a responsibility to our children to promote nature and it’s importance to protect it. I assure you, boaters take the wellbeing of our lakes and waterways very seriously. It is ultimately our responsibility to teach them how to protect it, but if they are not exposed to it they will never have the need or the desire to protect it. If this law goes into affect many boaters who are not rich will have to give up their favorite past time. This will not affect the rich because either way they will pay for it because they can. I can’t and I know many other hard working boat owners who cant. Please support our families by helping us pass the Clean Boating Act of 2008. S. 2766 and bill 5949

  32. This comment has been reported to the site manager. It will be reviewed and removed if inappropriate. Thank you!

  33. Wed., May. 21, 2008 4:43 PM    link Raymond M. | Victorville, CA

    Gas Gas Gas Gas want are you going to do about the high gas price. Action Action Action Action now.

  34. This comment has been reported to the site manager. It will be reviewed and removed if inappropriate. Thank you!

  35. Wed., May. 21, 2008 4:42 PM    link Raymond M. | Victorville, CA

    Gas Gas Gas Gas want are you going to do about the high gas price. Action Action Action Action now.

  36. This comment has been reported to the site manager. It will be reviewed and removed if inappropriate. Thank you!

  37. Wed., May. 21, 2008 4:09 PM    link Virginia M L. | Sarasota, FL

  38. Wed., May. 21, 2008 4:01 PM    link Rob G. | Lawrence, KS

  39. Wed., May. 21, 2008 3:41 PM    link Jeffrey K. | Adrian, MI

  40. Wed., May. 21, 2008 3:35 PM    link Jon P. | Hurst, TX

  41. Wed., May. 21, 2008 3:23 PM    link Dennis M. | Lake Saint Louis, MO

  42. Wed., May. 21, 2008 3:22 PM    link Charles N. | chesterfield, MO

    Please help us keep down the cost of recreational boating and veto the need for an E.P.A. permit.

    Thank you for your time.

  43. This comment has been reported to the site manager. It will be reviewed and removed if inappropriate. Thank you!

  44. Wed., May. 21, 2008 3:14 PM    link Scott B. | Adamstown, MD

    Instead of adding an additional financial obligation on the consumers, how about putting a stop to oil companies merging and charging outragous gas prices?!! Boaters are already feeling the gas hike pain! Pretty soon, most Americans will not be able to afford such pleasures and will be forced to stay at home and not spend any money on recreational activities, further hampering the already weak economy.

  45. This comment has been reported to the site manager. It will be reviewed and removed if inappropriate. Thank you!

  46. Wed., May. 21, 2008 3:09 PM    link Larry O. | Cinnaminson, NJ

  47. Wed., May. 21, 2008 2:48 PM    link Michael M. | Westbury, NY

  48. Wed., May. 21, 2008 2:39 PM    link jeffrey k. | halesite, NY

  49. Wed., May. 21, 2008 2:35 PM    link James B. | Valrico, FL

  50. Wed., May. 21, 2008 2:19 PM    link Darrel L. | Libby, MT

    This affects Montana boaters as well. I hope we can count on you.

    Darrel & Dee Lawson

  51. This comment has been reported to the site manager. It will be reviewed and removed if inappropriate. Thank you!

  52. Wed., May. 21, 2008 2:13 PM    link Christopher C. | Richmond, VA

    I recently emailed you about this problem and have not recieved any feed back from you at this time. So I am emailing you again. Please help.

    I am a boater in the Chesterfield County area and I am concerned about this very much. We have been limiting our boating already due to the high cost of fuel. I am now worried that with another fee such as an EPA permit that this just might spell the end to our family past time. With the cost of fuel, the cost of personal property tax and now an EPA permit your asking alot for something that is a hobby. I am afraid that we will have to sell the boat. This would lead to a loss of tax revenue to my local economy of $1088 dollars a year in personal property tax and a loss of the fuel tax.

    With that I am hoping to hear back from you this time. Please help your Virginia Boaters

  53. This comment has been reported to the site manager. It will be reviewed and removed if inappropriate. Thank you!

  54. Wed., May. 21, 2008 2:04 PM    link Van C. | Astoria, NY

  55. Wed., May. 21, 2008 1:47 PM    link John H. | Chesterfield, MO

    Tourism at the Lake of the Ozarks and other Missouri waterways will be halted if every pontoon and
    fishing skiff needs to obtain a permit for engine cooling water discharge from their outboard engine. The impact will be disasterous to the economy and to the recreational marine industry.

    I haven't bought gas yet this year at the Lake of the Ozarks but I am sure it will be up into the mid $4 range! Add in the cost of the EPA permit - then its time to tie the boat to the bank!!

  56. This comment has been reported to the site manager. It will be reviewed and removed if inappropriate. Thank you!

  57. Wed., May. 21, 2008 12:58 PM    link Thomas C. | Naperville, IL

    Senator Durbin: Boating is a wonderful family activity away from video games and computers! It is active and refreshing. Family members talk to each other!! Please support this legislation and allow us to contine this wonderful family activity without undue restrictions aimed at commercial shipping.

    Thank you!

    Tom Cusack
    Naperville, IL

  58. This comment has been reported to the site manager. It will be reviewed and removed if inappropriate. Thank you!

  59. Wed., May. 21, 2008 12:49 PM    link Gerald D. | Charlton, MA

  60. Wed., May. 21, 2008 12:45 PM    link Ronald A. | Alfred, ME

  61. Wed., May. 21, 2008 12:45 PM    link Michael S. | Austin, TX

  62. Wed., May. 21, 2008 12:38 PM    link Anthony M. | Lahaina, HI

    Aloha,
    With the cost of everything in paradise going up his would truley hurt thousands of familys trying to enjoy family time and Hawaii's best natural resourse.
    If you would truley like to help our water quality make it mandatory that ALL snorkel boat tour companies have their holding tanks pumped at the docks. I spend a lot of time at the beach and their is nothing worse than seeing turds washing up on Maui's west side beaches because of catamarans full of $80 to $120 passangers going to Honalua bay. After a few days of light Kona (south ) winds it all comes to shore. The only company I'm aware of that pumps their tanks at the dock is TRIOLGY, big mahalo to them - its no wonder they have a great reputation.
    Mahalo
    Anthony

  63. This comment has been reported to the site manager. It will be reviewed and removed if inappropriate. Thank you!

  64. Wed., May. 21, 2008 12:33 PM    link Jason D. | Clifton, VA

    Please do your part to save boaters from this silly proposal. American citizens are already the subject of too much needless legislation, and this qualifies as just that.

  65. This comment has been reported to the site manager. It will be reviewed and removed if inappropriate. Thank you!

  66. Wed., May. 21, 2008 12:23 PM    link Rick L. | Mesa, AZ

  67. Wed., May. 21, 2008 12:17 PM    link Tedd S. | Leesburg, FL

    During a time when our individual freedoms are legislated away...Our lives filled with the intrusions from both Federal and Local governments, I believe we deserve a measure releasing us from any additional lifestyle restrictions. Please, Senator rescind your bill immediately!

  68. This comment has been reported to the site manager. It will be reviewed and removed if inappropriate. Thank you!

  69. Wed., May. 21, 2008 12:15 PM    link Edwin S. | Plainfield, IL

  70. Wed., May. 21, 2008 11:52 AM    link Jacob R. | Mt Pleasant, MI

    The price of boating with my family is expensive enough, not even counting gas. Please don't allow this to pass, its one more thing tipping the scale against boaters. Family time is hard enough to come by, but with out a boat to pull all of us together it would be even more difficult!

  71. This comment has been reported to the site manager. It will be reviewed and removed if inappropriate. Thank you!

  72. Wed., May. 21, 2008 11:43 AM    link Peter R. | Old Bridge, NJ

  73. Wed., May. 21, 2008 11:42 AM    link Robert M. | Webster, NY

    You need to ask yourself - what truly is the value of such a bill by doing a cost vs benefit analyis to see if there is truly any merit. I see this only as a additional revenue stream with no real benefits to be gained.

    I highly oppose this bill.

  74. This comment has been reported to the site manager. It will be reviewed and removed if inappropriate. Thank you!

  75. Wed., May. 21, 2008 11:40 AM    link Larry L. | Columbus, OH

    I urge you to vote for this bill to help save recreational boating.

  76. This comment has been reported to the site manager. It will be reviewed and removed if inappropriate. Thank you!

  77. Wed., May. 21, 2008 11:31 AM    link Ron C. | Manitowoc, WI

  78. Wed., May. 21, 2008 11:27 AM    link Robert S. | Frederick, MD

  79. Wed., May. 21, 2008 11:27 AM    link Oleg F. | Morganville, NJ

    Currently, boating industry is experiencing very difficult times. Economy is reaching recession state and gas prices are skyrocketing without a substantial reason. Introducing the law on mandatory EPA permitting system, which will cost from $800 to few thousands of dollars to a recreational boaters will deliver a greater damage to the industry by keeping new potential boaters from getting in to the boating and it will accelerate current boat owners who’re barely keeping up the financial struggle.

    Please do not allow EPA permits become a law to recreational boats. As with any issues there are number of different options to handle this. There could be new regulations in place to help keeping the waters clean and safe, but implementing a system to make boaters pay huge fees is not the best answer. This may sound like a good short-term solution, but this will not work well in long-term and will not make our waters any cleaner. I think this will eventually do more damage to the economy by having fewer boaters on the water.

    As I was learning about the issue with EPA permits I understood that this was initially applicable to commercial vessels only. Then, somehow it was transitioned to the recreational boating industry. These are two different industries and should not be mixed. Commercial industry makes money where recreational boating is all about spending money for pleasure use of boats. If commercial vessels travel across oceans into different countries posing some risk of affecting our waters, recreational boaters are traveling relatively short distance and 99% of the time stay in US waters.

    Please help recreational boaters to fight this bill.

    Sincerely,

  80. This comment has been reported to the site manager. It will be reviewed and removed if inappropriate. Thank you!

  81. Wed., May. 21, 2008 11:23 AM    link William W. | Portland, OR

  82. Wed., May. 21, 2008 11:20 AM    link Daniel D. | Portland, OR

    Gordon,
    We have so much more important things to be spending our money on that this is a total waste.
    If EPA really wants to do something. Get rid of the toxic anti freeze that is draining into our rivers everyday.
    They can make non toxic anti freeze and some companies do. Their should be NO toxic anti freeze.
    It kills thousands of pets every year and is the number one toxic chemical that flows to our rivers.
    Lets do things that makes sense. Not just take money for permits that do nothing.

  83. This comment has been reported to the site manager. It will be reviewed and removed if inappropriate. Thank you!

  84. Wed., May. 21, 2008 11:19 AM    link Robert P. | Plano, TX

    I am a concientious boater and always try to be mindful of the environment, please do not hinder me with more regulations and needless permits to purchase.

  85. This comment has been reported to the site manager. It will be reviewed and removed if inappropriate. Thank you!

  86. Wed., May. 21, 2008 11:19 AM    link frank p. | sarasota, FL

    SAVE BOATING AS WE KNOW IT!!!

  87. This comment has been reported to the site manager. It will be reviewed and removed if inappropriate. Thank you!

  88. Wed., May. 21, 2008 11:14 AM    link CHUCK B. | GRAND JUNCTION, CO

  89. Wed., May. 21, 2008 11:09 AM    link Werner B. | Homestead, FL

  90. Wed., May. 21, 2008 11:08 AM    link richard s. | homosassa, FL

  91. Wed., May. 21, 2008 11:07 AM    link Tim S. | Everett, WA

    Please support S. 2766 introduced by Senator Barbra Boxer & Senator Bill Nelson. My family & I enjoy boating, but this bill could kill it for me & my family, along with many of my boating friends.

    Thank you,

    Tim Schmidt

  92. This comment has been reported to the site manager. It will be reviewed and removed if inappropriate. Thank you!

  93. Wed., May. 21, 2008 11:06 AM    link John V. | Anna, TX

    I wish that congress would learn that whenever they pass a law it has repercussions down the line. That is why we need less government. A couple of examples of useless legislation are as follows: unsubsidized corn for gas additives. Thus causing everything especially food to go up in price. Another one is regulating how much water is used to flush a toilet. Now we have to flush the toilet 2 or 3 times to get the stuff to go away. We do not loose water when we use it, whoever came up with that idea has water on the brain and knows nothing about how the water cycle works. If we don't mess with our stuff things will have a natural way of working themselves out. Thats the way God intended it to be.

  94. This comment has been reported to the site manager. It will be reviewed and removed if inappropriate. Thank you!

  95. Wed., May. 21, 2008 11:06 AM    link Craig R. | Prospect, KY

    An EPA permit to take my family out on the boat. How frickin' stupid is this!!! Come on Washington get a grip. Have you lost all semblence of logical thinking.

  96. This comment has been reported to the site manager. It will be reviewed and removed if inappropriate. Thank you!

  97. Wed., May. 21, 2008 11:01 AM    link James W. B. | Milford, CT

    Please wake up Senators, all you ever do is tax us to death you do not have a clear understanding of the real world. Maybe you should get a real job in the real world earning real peoples pay and then try living with it. A better ideal you pay for this new tax out of your own pocket.

  98. This comment has been reported to the site manager. It will be reviewed and removed if inappropriate. Thank you!

  99. Wed., May. 21, 2008 10:58 AM    link Mark N. | Bowling Green, KY

    What are you waiting for guys, get on board! (no pun intended).

  100. This comment has been reported to the site manager. It will be reviewed and removed if inappropriate. Thank you!

  101. Wed., May. 21, 2008 10:55 AM    link Rick C. | ROCKAWAY, NJ

    Gentlemen let's get this legislation passed. this legislation is important to keep the Boating Industry alive and well.

  102. This comment has been reported to the site manager. It will be reviewed and removed if inappropriate. Thank you!

  103. Wed., May. 21, 2008 10:51 AM    link MICHEL B. | GEORGIA, VT

  104. Wed., May. 21, 2008 10:50 AM    link Julia S. | Winnetka, IL

  105. Wed., May. 21, 2008 10:49 AM    link John G. | Dayton, OH

    This more than just a boating issue, it's a civil liberties issue. Please get on board with this issue to restore a basic right for Americans to enjoy our own waterways!

  106. This comment has been reported to the site manager. It will be reviewed and removed if inappropriate. Thank you!

  107. Wed., May. 21, 2008 10:48 AM    link Rhett D. | Redmond, WA

  108. Wed., May. 21, 2008 10:47 AM    link Sherwood H. | Windermere, FL

  109. Wed., May. 21, 2008 10:40 AM    link Thomas D. | Thornton, PA

  110. Wed., May. 21, 2008 10:38 AM    link Mark K. | Wright City, MO

    I urge you help with these bills.
    Without your help a true family recreational experience may not be possible for some.
    With the present costs of fuel these days, we don't need any additional burdens.
    Thanks for help in advance.
    Mark Kaibel

  111. This comment has been reported to the site manager. It will be reviewed and removed if inappropriate. Thank you!

  112. Wed., May. 21, 2008 10:36 AM    link William N. | Dillon, CO

  113. Wed., May. 21, 2008 10:36 AM    link Raymond A. | Orland Park, IL

  114. Wed., May. 21, 2008 10:33 AM    link Dan S. | Overland Park, KS

  115. Wed., May. 21, 2008 10:33 AM    link Sam A. | Hot Springs, AR

    I have lived on Lake Hamilton in Hot Springs for most of my 51 years. Boating represents one of the major family activities in our county and one of the most exciting attractions for residents and tourist alike.

    When we take some time aware from our daily stress the last thing any or us want is to worry about more government interference, more obligations to meet standards, requirements and in general be saddled with rules and regulations as if we were still at work.

    Americas already lack for sufficient opportunities for relaxation. We have too much government in our lives. Government sould not be front and center in our concerns but rather quitely in the background suppling our defense, monitoring our global trade and assuring that our infrastructures are viable and safe.

    Please make sure that we can have less government interference in our leisure time by passing this Bill. Thanks, Sam Anderson

  116. This comment has been reported to the site manager. It will be reviewed and removed if inappropriate. Thank you!

  117. Wed., May. 21, 2008 10:32 AM    link Sam A. | Hot Springs, AR

    I have lived on Lake Hamilton in Hot Springs for most of my 51 years. Boating represents one of the major family activities in our county and one of the most exciting attractions for residents and tourist alike.

    When we take some time aware from our daily stress the last thing any or us want is to worry about more government interference, more obligations to meet standards, requirements and in general be saddled with rules and regulations as if we were still at work.

    Americas already lack for sufficient opportunities for relaxation. We have too much government in our lives. Government sould not be front and center in our concerns but rather quitely in the background suppling our defense, monitoring our global trade and assuring that our infrastructures are viable and safe.

    Please make sure that we can have less government interference in our leisure time by passing this Bill. Thanks, Sam Anderson

  118. This comment has been reported to the site manager. It will be reviewed and removed if inappropriate. Thank you!

  119. Wed., May. 21, 2008 10:31 AM    link richard c. | Boston, MA

  120. Wed., May. 21, 2008 10:31 AM    link Brad B. | Pace, FL

  121. Wed., May. 21, 2008 10:30 AM    link Mike S. | Elk Grove, CA

    With the current state of the economy, it makes no sense to do something that would put more people out of jobs and cause more over-regulation on consumers who are already struggling. With fuel prices alone reaching over $4.00 the amount of boaters will already be reduced. We need to do all we can to help keep this industry alive.

  122. This comment has been reported to the site manager. It will be reviewed and removed if inappropriate. Thank you!

  123. Wed., May. 21, 2008 10:27 AM    link Steven C. | chapel hill, NC

  124. Wed., May. 21, 2008 10:14 AM    link Scott M. | Pasco, WA

    Boating is a HUGE part of the culture in the Tri-Cities! Please add your support and allow us to keep families on the water without ridiculous permits that are not applicable to fresh water sport boats.

    Thank you

    Scott Meyer

  125. This comment has been reported to the site manager. It will be reviewed and removed if inappropriate. Thank you!

  126. Wed., May. 21, 2008 9:52 AM    link tom r. | Winter Springs, FL

  127. Wed., May. 21, 2008 9:51 AM    link Allen B. | Plano, TX

    Give me a break. Stop this ridiculous bill now. Boating and fishing is the one last pleasure I have...please don't kill my leisure time too!

  128. This comment has been reported to the site manager. It will be reviewed and removed if inappropriate. Thank you!

  129. Wed., May. 21, 2008 7:10 AM    link Chris C. | Fishers, IN

  130. Tue., May. 20, 2008 2:42 PM    link Richard M. | Centreville, VA

    Recreational boating is more than an hobby for most boaters. It is a passion and for others it is a lifestyle. With the economy struggling and fuel prices surging to a point that almost criples the recreational and professional boaters, this is just one more reason for many of us to hang it up. Many boaters can not even afford to go fishing now with the cost of national average for unleaded fuel $3.80 at the pumps and $4.53 for diesel (add about another $0.50 for on the water). On a 100 gallon tank that equates to $400-$500. This price increase in fuel alone has forced increases for everything the consumer pays for. Not only has the cost for operating a boat increased but financing, purchasing, getting to and from the water, bait, and even the food and beverages purchased at the local grocery store. Any additional costs that the recreational boat owner has to endure will without a doubt make a huge impact and may be the last straw. What was once a passion will then be a burden.

  131. This comment has been reported to the site manager. It will be reviewed and removed if inappropriate. Thank you!

  132. Tue., May. 20, 2008 12:38 PM    link Timothy B. | Winchester, VA

  133. Tue., May. 20, 2008 6:37 AM    link Fred L. | Kemah, TX

    This is a very important bill . If things keep going like they are now .We won't be able to use our boats for anything except floating fishing camps .Please help the boating public .We already have a clean water act in place .
    That should be more than enough .We don't need laws that don't pertain to receational boating .Come down to the coast an see for your self .

  134. This comment has been reported to the site manager. It will be reviewed and removed if inappropriate. Thank you!

  135. Mon., May. 19, 2008 2:20 PM    link RObert K. | Chapin, SC

    Dear Senator Graham:

    As a South Carolinean, I am deeply concerned that this if this act is not passed, the boating industury in SC, already burdened by a slow economy and high fuel costs, could get in serious trouble.

    I urge you to suuport this important legislation

  136. This comment has been reported to the site manager. It will be reviewed and removed if inappropriate. Thank you!

  137. Mon., May. 19, 2008 10:44 AM    link John C. | Missouri City, TX

  138. Mon., May. 19, 2008 8:51 AM    link Kevin W. | South Orange, NJ

  139. Sat., May. 17, 2008 12:32 PM    link Douglas T. | simi valley, CA

    While all the constraints of environmentalism are put on the American consumer,the rest of the world prospers . this will be one more industry lost to the U S consumer if we do not act now .Stop the financial choking of the U.S.consumer(tax payer, worker,voter etc.) Isn't it bad enough that all of our jobs have gone to the rest of the world. Now we have to send our recreational activity too.Stop the madness. Support s.2766 the clean boating act of 2008

  140. This comment has been reported to the site manager. It will be reviewed and removed if inappropriate. Thank you!

  141. Fri., May. 16, 2008 6:57 PM    link Denis C. | elkton, MD

  142. Fri., May. 16, 2008 1:58 PM    link Ken H. | Wharton, NJ

    Senator Lautenberg: Your assistance will be appreciated by myself and other retired people whose passion and commitment is boating. With the costs of diesel and other fuels rising so high and quickly, it will become prohibitive for us to pursue our passions with the addition of new permit fees; which were dropped 35 years ago as not being useful for pleasure boats.

  143. This comment has been reported to the site manager. It will be reviewed and removed if inappropriate. Thank you!

  144. Thu., May. 15, 2008 9:17 PM    link Frederick K. | Norristown, PA

    I AM BOTH AN ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEER WITH A MASTERS DEGREE IN WATER RESOURCES ENGINEERING, AND A RECREATIONAL BOAT ENTHUSIAST. THE PASSAGE OF THIS BILL IS AN ENVIRONMENTALLY SOUND ACTION THAT IS IN BALANCE WITH PROTECTING OUR WATERWAYS AND MAKING OUR WATERWAYS AFFORDABLE FOR THE AVERAGE BOATING FAMILY. FAMILIES NEED MORE TIME TOGETHER TO RECREATE AND BUILD VALUES. BOATING PROVIDES THAT OPPORTUNITY.

    RECREATIONAL BOATS OPERATED IN ACCORDANCE WITH US COAST GUARD REGULATIONS DO NOT POLLUTE OUR WATERWAYS. RECREATIONAL BOATS DO NOT FLUSH BALLAST TANKS, AND DO NOT CONTAMINATE THE WATERWAYS AS DOES COMMERCIAL SHIPPING.

    I URGE YOU TO PASS THIS BILL. PLEASE BE PRACTICAL AND REASONABLE IN THE LAWS THAT YOU AND YOUR COLLEAGUES IN CONGRESS LEGISLATE. CONGRESS NEEDS TO RESOLVE AND PREVENT PROBLEMS, AND CREATE OPPORTUNITIES FOR AMERICA. PLEASE DON'T CREATE PROBLEMS THROUGH INAPPROPRIATE LEGISLATION. AGAIN, I URGE YOU TO PASS THIS BILL.

  145. This comment has been reported to the site manager. It will be reviewed and removed if inappropriate. Thank you!

  146. Thu., May. 15, 2008 1:24 PM    link Terry M. | Baton Rouge, LA

  147. Thu., May. 15, 2008 8:59 AM    link Kim H. | Tulsa, OK

  148. Thu., May. 15, 2008 7:34 AM    link Ron P. | Midland, TX

  149. Wed., May. 14, 2008 9:32 PM    link Scott G. | boonton, NJ

    The amount of discharge from private boats is miniscule relative the amount of discharge
    from land based activities. I highly suggest you look at road sewers and measure
    the amount of pesticide, calcium chloride, oil, septic, solid waste and other pollutants which are produced year round that feed our streams lakes and bays.. The boaters are generally more concerned with
    keeping the waters clean than discharging waste. How about an incentive for clean acts verses another tax/fee !

  150. This comment has been reported to the site manager. It will be reviewed and removed if inappropriate. Thank you!

Total Signers: 1,028    View More: 11 10 9    8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

Sign the Petition

Petition created by Boattest Congress

Powered by Rally Congress    Have questions or feedback?