Recreational Boaters of California [RBOC], working together with local boaters and clubs, urges San Diego area boaters to take action right away to prevent a proposed restriction on the in-water cleaning of boat hulls that have copper-based antifouling paint. How to take action:
1. Email your concerns – see sample email below – prior to midnight on December 23.
2. Attend and testify - at the December 10 and January 9 meetings of the Port of San Diego.
Send your email to: hullcleaning@portofsandiego.org
Sample email:
To Whom it may concern:
I have read with dismay the proposed amendment to the Ordinance for regulating in-water-hull-cleaning.
The proposed changes will result in an inflexible, unworkable and costly regulation.
It has clearly been drafted by people who have little or no understanding of boating or boat maintenance.
I urge you to rather consider the option of Site Specific testing in San Diego Bay to determine whether marine organisms that actually reside there are being harmed.
This testing should be conducted prior to the adoption of the draconian measures in the proposed amendment.
As boaters we support Site Specific Testing.
This approach has been followed in San Francisco where copper levels similar to San Diego Bay were determined to be non-toxic.
Surely it makes for better policy to develop data on an issue before developing regulations that may not be necessary.
Attend and speak at each upcoming meeting of the San Diego Unified Port District:
1. 10 am on Tuesday, December 10:
Don L. Nay Port Administration Boardroom, 3165 Pacific Hwy., San Diego, CA 92101
[Agenda Item D. Public Communications – the proposed amendment is not on the agenda]
2. 2 pm on Thursday, January 9:
Don L. Nay Port Administration Boardroom, 3165 Pacific Hwy., San Diego, CA 92101
[Anticipated discussion and decision on the proposed amendment to the ordinance]
For specific information on the proposed amendment on the Unified Port of San Diego website: click here