Maryland Boaters May Be In For Trouble Soon

[dpmulvey]

Just a quick note to all Maryland boaters who were unaware of the following:

http://mlis.state.md.us/2010rs/billfile/sb0513.htm

The bill is an attempt by the Maryland Attorney General to make the Chesapeake Bay a No Discharge Zone (NDZ). This is not a raw sewage issue. We all know that has been illegal for decades. This bill would effect boater with sewage treatment plants like the LectroSan and others. You will be forced to use a pumpout station rendering your investment in sewage treatment useless. This action is being pressed despite the fact there is proof that there are not enough pumpout stations in Maryland to take up the slack.

The Chesapeake touches many states. If this goes forward in Maryland, it will probably affect Virginia and others in time.

I have notified my congressman. He is ballistic about this. He sees it not only as an attack on boaters, but an attack on economic development as well.

You may want to consider contacting your representatives if your state touches the Chesapeake. If you do not boat on the bay, contact them anyway. First it will be the bay, then the rivers.

Thanks for your support.

 

[Redhook98]

Does this affect the Potomac as well?

 

[Redhook98]

Nevermind, dumb question. The Potomac is part of MD, so it must include it. This is gonna suck!

 

[spikedaddy99]

Virginia passed a law changing fishing license rules too. In the past, you could get a salt water fishing license for the entire boat so anyone was covered. Starting this year, they want anyone with a pole in their hands to have a license. So, if your kid hands his rod to your wife while he takes a leak, she'd better have a license. The reasoning is for the Dept of Game to better quantify how many people are fishing, and how many fish are being caught. Sounds like another tax to me!

 

[Redhook98]

Yep, sounds like a revenue thing to me as well.... Maybe it's time to take up flying. I bet you can pump out legally while up there!! Well, wait a minute,.... Maybe that wouldn't be a great idea... ;-)