BoatUS Skewers Latest "Big Ethanol" Effort to Support Government Ethanol Mandate

ALEXANDRIA, VA, May 16, 2017 –“Big Ethanol” is at it again. In a new advertising campaign timed with the start of boating season, the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA), the leading trade association for America’s ethanol industry, continues to spread mistruths in its support of the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS), a 2005 law that mandates the blending of biofuels such as corn-ethanol into our gasoline. The nation’s largest recreational boating advocacy, services and safety group Boat Owners Association of The United States (BoatUS) clarifies the ad campaign’s spin with hard truths.

SPIN: “E10 is the fuel of choice for many boaters because of its high performance and lower emissions.”

HARD TRUTH: E10 is simply the most common fuel sold in America today, but it is not recreational boaters’ preferred choice of fuel. According to those surveyed by BoatUS, 91 percent prefer non-ethanol fuel for their boats. Unfortunately, non-ethanol gas is facing more uncertainty as the government mandate to increase the volume of ethanol in the nation’s fuel supply may actually reduce the availability of ethanol-free gas. While ethanol boosts a fuel’s octane rating, the US Department of Energy acknowledges that ethanol contains less energy than gasoline and “result(s) in lower fuel economy.”

SPIN: E10 is the “preferred choice by professionals” with supporting quotes by the National Boat Racing Association and Crappie Masters.

HARD TRUTH: Both organizations are sponsored by the RFA.

SPIN: “Tip #1: Ensure a tight seal, if water is found, dry the tank before refueling.”

HARD TRUTH: This impractical and potentially very unsafe “tip” asks boaters with built-in fuel tanks to do the impossible. Removing and disposing of phase-separated fuel – a result of too much water in moisture-attracting ethanol fuels – can only be done safely by professionals and is expensive. Even for those with portable fuel tanks, this RFA spin offers no practical, reality-based solution to the challenging disposal issue of the ethanol-and-water soaked gas.

SPIN: “Regular maintenance is key.”

HARD TRUTH: It certainly is when it comes to ethanol! A 2016 survey by Boating Industry magazine points to ethanol as playing an even “bigger role” in boat service issues than it was the year prior, with 87 percent of survey respondents reporting seeing boat engine damage caused by ethanol. Said one boat manufacturer, “Ethanol is a boom for the service departments (and a) huge drag on our industry because it negatively affects the customers. It makes them hate boating. It ruins their day, their boat and their entire boating experience.”

Go to BoatUS.com/gov/rfs.asp for more information on the Renewable Fuel Standard. BoatUS is a member of the Smarter Fuel Future coalition.

Boating, Angling Interests Ask Federal Government to Fix Renewable Fuel Standard Now

Boating and Fishing Groups Send Message to Trump Administration and Congress:

Now is Time to Fix Broken Ethanol Policy

26,000 Sign Petition for Ethanol Fuels Reform

WASHINGTON, DC, May 3, 2017 – In a letter sent today to the Trump administration and Congress, a coalition of recreational boating and sportfishing interests urged action to fix America’s broken ethanol policy. The American Sportfishing Association (ASA), Boat Owners Association of The United States (BoatUS), National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) and Marine Retailers Association of the Americas (MRAA) on behalf of the nation’s 12 million recreational boat owners, 46 million recreational anglers and 35,000 recreational boating businesses respectively expressed concern with the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS).

The RFS is the 2005 law that mandates the blending of biofuels such as corn-ethanol into our gasoline. When written, it was assumed that America’s use of gasoline would continue to rise. However, US gasoline usage has actually dropped steadily since 2005 and now the law forces more corn ethanol into fewer gallons of gasoline.

Boaters and anglers need access to safe and approved fuels. The letter said the RFS “…has discriminatorily affected the boating public – groups of boaters and anglers who purchase fuel for their boats… We write to ask that you to set a new course for the RFS – one that takes into account the objective concerns expressed by the boating community.”

Because of its ability to damage boat engines, federal law prohibits the use of gas blends greater than E10 (10 percent ethanol) in recreational boats. However, as the RFS forces E15 (15 percent ethanol) and higher blends into the market, the chance of misfueling increases. A 2016 Harris Poll found that 64 percent of consumers were not sure or did not pay attention to the type of gas they used. ASA, BoatUS, NMMA and MRAA believe that the increased volumes of E15 and other higher ethanol-blend fuels also reduce the availability of E10 and ethanol-free gas.

The letter asks for common sense reforms, such as ensuring that any future ethanol volumes do not exceed 9.7 percent of the nation’s total fuel supply; protecting true consumer choice at the pump by not artificially decreasing the supply of ethanol-free gasoline, and implementing new and more effective misfueling mitigation protections that will educate and protect all consumers.

Additionally, an appeal by the coalition of the four groups to the boating public and their members to petition for RFS reform with their local congressional representative and President Trump received over 26,000 responses from across the country.

To view the letter, go to BoatUS.com/gov

BoatUS Says Budget Proposal Raises Concerns for American Boaters

US Coast Guard faces 14% budget cut

WASHINGTON, DC, March 21, 2017 – After its first look at the Trump administration’s new budget blueprint released March 16, Boat Owners Association of The United States (BoatUS) says that boat owners should be aware of potential budget impacts that could affect boating safety, access and the health of our waterways.

“The administration’s budget proposal clearly reflects a different set of priorities over previous years,” said BoatUS Manager of Government Affairs David Kennedy. “Proposed cuts to agencies such as the Departments of Commerce and Interior, Army Corps of Engineers and the Environmental Protection Agency could lead to changes for many programs that matter to boating.”

Added Kennedy, “Considering boating’s $121.5 billion impact, we believe this would be short sighted and negatively affect the boating experience for our nation’s 12 million boat owners.”

Kennedy notes that under budget proposal’s shifting priorities, US Coast Guard funding could be slashed 14 percent to just $7.8 billion, while the service’s “parent,” the Department of Homeland Security, is increased. “As the budget process continues, boaters may need to communicate with their members of Congress regarding programs that fund clean-water efforts, clean marina programs, navigation improvements, regional waterway restoration such as the Chesapeake Bay, Great Lakes and Puget Sound, and boating safety programs. We are keeping a close watch.”

BoatUS will continue to monitor the budget process, ensure that the recreational boater’s voice is heard and advise its more than half-million members of boating-related budget items.

RBOC Urges USEPA to Revise, Improve Draft Copper Document Prior to Adoption

RBOC has submmitted formal comments to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency [USEPA’s) regarding its Draft Aquatic Life Ambient Estuarine/Marine Water Quality Criteria for Copper – 2016, noting a number of significant issues and settting forth recommendations to improve the important and precedent-settting document.

This issue is important to boating. From recreational boats in the water for a season to commercial ships that are in the water year round, antifouling paint on the underwater part of the boat is fundamental to the proper maintenance and performance of almost all watercraft. The uncontrolled growth of marine organisms on boats significantly degrades performance, increases fuel consumption, contributes to the spread of aquatic invasive species and can even lead to a vessel sinking in extreme cases.

Many antifouling paints contain cuprous oxide, a form of copper, as the licensed pesticide that is their primary active ingredient. These antifouling paints, approved by the USEPA, are designed for the copper to gradually leach into the water from the boat. Paints containing copper are currently the most effective, affordable and available antifouling products for all vessels, including recreational boats.

The USEPA has identified several California water bodies as impaired by copper [303(d) listed].

This has led Regional Water Quality Control Boards [RWQCBs] with authority over San Diego’s Shelter Island Yacht Basin and Los Angeles’s Marina del Rey to set Total Maximum Daily Loads [TMDLs] for copper. In order to meet the TMDLs, they have proposed to ban the use of copper antifouling paints on recreational boats. Newport Harbor is considering setting a copper TMDL as well, with the possibility of a copper antifouling paint ban being a likely outcome.

The USEPA has established a toxicity standard of dissolved copper in salt water of 3.1µg/L. Within this standard, however, is the acknowledgement that site-specific testing of water bodies should be performed to determine if local water chemistry or other factors mitigate the toxicity of copper. The USEPA currently recognizes only one test protocol for salt water, the Water Effects Ratio [WER], an extremely laborious and costly test. In fact, the WER test was conducted in San Francisco Bay and while copper levels in the area were three times greater than the 3.1µg/L standard, the results showed no toxic impacts on the marine environment. This led the USEPA to remove all of San Francisco Bay from the 303(d) list of impaired water bodies for copper.

Several of the current California watershed management TMDL plans assume that the major source of copper is from recreational boats and use copper antifouling paint bans as the proposed method to reduce the amount that enters the water in the basins. However, since dissolved copper rapidly binds with organic material most of its toxic effects are rendered inert. Use of the BLM would determine what actual level of copper must be reached in a particular water body before toxicity to benthic organisms occurs.

RBOC endorses and concurs with the comments of the Copper Development Association Inc. [CDA] and the International Copper Association, Ltd. [ICA]. 

RBOC has encouraged the USEPA toapprove the use of a saltwater Biotic Ligand Model [BLM] for copper. RBOC shares the concerns of the CDA and ICA regarding several of the approaches, assumptions, and data used in the derivation of the draft estuarine/marine criteria for copper, as well as the recommendations to improve this important and precedent-setting document. These include:

• Because the BLM is highly sensitive to dissolved organic carbon (DOC), the USEPA should only use copper toxicity data from studies in which reliably-measured DOC concentrations were reported to derive the criteria.
• Given the extraordinary richness of the copper toxicity database, the USEPA should not derive the criteria using generalized approaches that are more appropriate for data-poor substances.
• USEPA should be consistent in its use of default/reference-water chemistries and base the values it selects on data that characterize the most likely environments in which the estuarine/marine criteria will be applied.
• To assist the states in adopting its recommendations, USEPA should take full advantage of this opportunity to provide additional guidance on the implementation of the BLM-based approach.

RBOC joins with the CDA and ICA in urging the USEPA to fully consider these comments because they pose the potential to significantly increase confidence in the criteria, which will, in turn, increase the likelihood of their widespread adoption. 

BoatU.S. Delivers 24,000 Comments Urging EPA to Stop Adding More Ethanol to Nation's Fuel Supply

Boat Owners Association of The United States (BoatUS) President Margaret Podlich and Government Affairs Senior Program Manager David Kennedy, delivered over 24,000 comments from recreational boaters to EPA Headquarters in Washington DC to ask the agency to stop adding more ethanol to the nation’s gasoline supply.

Thanks to the many California boaters that have taken action to contact the EPA.

For more information: click here

BoatUS Asks Boaters to Say "No" to More Ethanol in 2017

Deadline for Comments July 11

THE ISSUE:  The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is asking for comments on a proposal to increase the amount of ethanol that must be blended into the nation’s gasoline supply for 2017. If adopted, these proposed levels will require the use of a record amount of ethanol, forcing higher-level ethanol fuel blends (including E15 or 15% ethanol) into gas pumps and at more gas stations. Most marine engines are built to only work with up to 10% ethanol, and it is illegal to use gas containing more than 10% ethanol in any marine engine.

ACTION NEEDED NOW:  Boat Owners Association of The United States (BoatUS) is urging all recreational boaters to send a message today urging the EPA to lower the ethanol mandates to ensure an adequate supply of fuel that will work with recreational boat engine and fuel systems. BoatUS offers a simple way to send comments by going to: click here. The deadline for public comments is July 11.

BACKGROUND:  The Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) is the 2005 law that requires the blending of biofuels such as corn-ethanol into our gasoline. When written, it was assumed that America’s use of gasoline would continue to rise. However, US gasoline usage has actually dropped steadily since 2005 and now the law forces more ethanol into fewer gallons of gasoline.

To keep up with this mandate, in 2010 the EPA permitted E15 (fuel containing up to 15% ethanol) into the marketplace, for some engines. E15 has been proven to damage boat engines and so it is prohibited in marine engines. It is also illegal to use E15 in snowmobiles, motorcycles, small engines like lawnmowers and leaf blowers, as well as any car or light-truck made before 2001.

E15 and higher ethanol fuel blends can now be found 23 states, often at the very same pumps as E10 gasoline. Those states include: Alabama, Arkansas, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, and Wisconsin.

A sticker on the pump mixed in with all the other labels may be the only warning for E15 gasoline. This creates a huge potential for mis-fueling and puts boaters at risk of using fuel that will damage their engines. About 40% of the over half a million BoatUS members report filling up the family boat at a gas station and another 35% use portable gas cans. BoatUS is also a member of the Smarter Fuel Future, and additional RFS information is at BoatUS.com/gov/RFS.asp.

BoatU.S. Urges Boaters to Contact EPA & Ask for Reduction in Ethanol Mandate

President's Corner - From BoatUS President, Margaret Podlich

In what has become another sign of spring, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is calling for comments on the so-called "renewable volume obligations (RVOs)" for 2017. Why am I sharing this with you? These make up the Federal mandate dictating how much ethanol must be mixed into the nation's gas supply required by the 2005 Renewable Fuel Standards (RFS) law. While America's total fuel consumption has been on a long decline, (which is a wonderful accomplishment!) the amount of ethanol that must be blended into it continues to go up. This year the EPA has proposed to mandate 18.8 billion gallons of ethanol be used, making it even more likely you will see E15 (15% ethanol, prohibited to use in marine engines!) at the fuel pump and making it harder to find E0 (ethanol free) fuel if that is your preference.

We need your help! Click here to send a message to EPA, asking them to reduce the mandate for more and more ethanol. And click here to ask your member of Congress to co-sponsor legislation to reform the RFS law that is limiting our fuel options.

To learn more about the RFS and how BoatUS is working for boaters, visit BoatUS.com/Gov.

Have fun on the water this week!
Margaret

RBOC Supporting Inclusion of Liveaboards in Clean Vessel Act Services

RBOC has submitted formal comments to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, urging USFWS to include live-aboards as recreational vessels for purposes of access to services funded by the Clean Vessel Act [CVA].

RBOC is concerned with the interpretation of the USFWS that recreational vessels used as live-aboards [anchor outs, and houseboats] are not considered recreational vessels by the federal government and are therefore not eligible for use of equipment or services funded by the CVA grant including vessel pump-outs, pump-out boats [mobile boat-to-boat services], pump-out services, or any equipment operated and maintained with CVA grants.

In California, the CVA program has funded construction of hundreds of vessel pump-outs, most of which are used by both pleasure vessels and live-aboards.

RBOC is concerned that the USFWS interpretation does not allow live-aboards to use the CVA funded equipment [vessel pump-outs] or allow CVA funded pump-out boats or services.  The exclusion of recreational vessels used as live-aboards could have a significantly negative impact on water quality and would be detrimental to the objectives of the CVA. 

The USFWS regulatory proceeding is Docket Number FWS–R9–WSR–2015–0006.

BoatU.S. Action Alert - Comment Now on EPA Ethanol Mandate

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is asking for comments on a proposal to increase the amount of ethanol that must be blended into the nation’s fuel supply for 2015 and 2016.  

If adopted, these proposed levels will require the use of a record amount of ethanol, forcing higher-level fuel blends (including E15 or 15% ethanol) into more gas stations.

Remember that most marine engines are built to only work with up to 10% ethanol and it is prohibited to use gas containing more than 10% ethanol in all marine engines.

Please take a moment to send a message NOW urging the EPA to lower the ethanol mandates to ensure an adequate supply of fuel that will work in your boat.

Background:

The Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) is the 2005 law that requires the blending of biofuels such as corn-ethanol into our gasoline. When written, it was assumed that America’s use of gasoline would continue to rise and therefore mandated escalating amounts of biofuels to be blended with our fuel. Since 2005, U.S. gasoline usage has actually dropped steadily and now the law forces more ethanol into fewer gallons of gasoline.

To keep up with this mandate, in 2010 the EPA permitted E15 (fuel containing up to 15% ethanol) into the marketplace, for some engines. E15 is prohibited from being used in marine engines, snowmobiles, motorcycles, small engines like lawnmowers and leaf blowers, as well as any vehicle made before 2001. In multiple studies, E15 has been proven to damage boat engines.

E15 and higher ethanol blends fuel can now be found in 24 states, often at the very same pumps as E10 gasoline. The only warning you may have is one sticker mixed in with all the other warning labels on the pump. This creates a huge potential for mis-fueling and puts boaters at risk of using fuel that will damage their engines. CLICK HERE for more information on E15 and the Renewable Fuel Standard.

Thanks for taking action to let EPA hear how you care about the ethanol level in the fuel you buy for your boat engine. Help us out and please FORWARD TO A FRIEND.

Sincerely,

Margaret B. Podlich

President, BoatU.S.

703-461-2878 x8363

www.BoatUS.com/gov 

BoatU.S. Urges Boaters to Ask Their U.S. Senators to Co-Sponsor Corn Ethanol Mandate Elimination Act of 2015

From BoatUS President, Margaret Podlich

For years, BoatUS has been battling in Washington to make sure you can buy gasoline that works properly in your boat engine. And while we have long recognized that renewable fuels are a key part of America's energy mix, we continue to work to reform the government fuel mandate that forces higher levels of ethanol in gas; levels beyond 10%, which can void boat engine warranties.

Now we have a chance to fix this broken policy. After last month's request, over 10,000 BoatUS Members contacted their congressmen, requesting support for H.R. 704, "The Renewable Fuel Standard Reform Act of 2015." A HUGE thank you for taking action! With bi-partisan support from 46 co-sponsors in the U.S. House of Representatives, this bill will effectively remove the government mandate for higher blends of corn-based ethanol fuels (E10 and up) and allow for investment in other, more compatible biofuels.

Today I am asking you for more help. Senators Diane Feinstein and Pat Toomey introduced S. 577, the "Corn Ethanol Mandate Elimination Act of 2015" which also helps ensure that we will continue to have safe fuels for our marine engines. Please click here to ask your Senators to become co-sponsors and supporters of this bill.

Thanks!
Margaret

BoatU.S. Action Alert: Protect Your Boat, Ask Congress to Fix the Renewable Fuel Standard

For years, BoatU.S. has been battling in Washington to make sure you can buy gasoline that works in your boat engines. On Wednesday, February 4, 2015, U.S. Congressman Bob Goodlatte (R-VA) introduced The Renewable Fuel Standard Reform Act of 2015. This bill, which has both Democrat and Republican support, will effectively remove mandates for higher blend ethanol fuels (more than 10%) and allow for investment in other more compatible biofuels. We believe it is a critical step and we are writing you to ask your Congressman to become a co-sponsor and support it.

CLICK HERE to TAKE ACTION

Background:

The Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) is the 2005 law that requires the blending of biofuels such as corn-ethanol into our gasoline. When written, it assumed that America’s use of gasoline would continue to rise and mandated escalating amounts of biofuels to be blended with our fuel. Since 2005, gasoline usage has actually dropped steadily and now the law forces more ethanol into less gasoline.

 To keep up with this mandate, in 2010 the EPA permitted E15 (fuel containing up to 15% ethanol) into the marketplace. Even though E15 is prohibited from being used in marine engines, snowmobiles, motorcycles, small engines like lawnmowers and leaf blowers, as well as any vehicle made before 2001, this fuel can now be found at over 100 stations in 16 states at the very same pumps as E10 and ethanol-free gasoline. (In fact, there is not a single marine engine warrantied to run on any fuel with over 10% ethanol.)

Over 60% of BoatU.S. Members fill their boat’s fuel tanks at roadside gas stations where the higher blend ethanol fuels are often the cheapest fuel at the pump. This creates a huge potential for misfueling and puts boaters at risk.

Please contact your Congressman by clicking HERE. Ask them to co-sponsor the Renewable Fuel Standard Reform Act of 2015. In the last Congress, this bill had 82 co-sponsors.

CLICK HERE for more information on E15 and the Renewable Fuel Standard.

Thank you for being a BoatU.S. Member!

 Margaret B. Podlich
President, BoatU.S.

(703) 461-2878 x8363

BoatUS Report: Life Jacket Type Code Labels Go Away

Step Toward Eliminating Confusion and Introduction of New Designs

ANNAPOLIS, MD. September 30, 2014 -- In a move that’s expected to benefit recreational boaters, on Oct. 22 the US Coast Guard will drop the current life jacket type code scheme  -- Type I, II, III, IV and V -- that has been used for years to label and differentiate the types of life jackets and their specific use. Chris Edmonston, BoatUS Foundation for Boating Safety President and Chairman of the National Safe Boating Council, said, “The boating safety community believes this move by the Coast Guard will help lead the way toward more comfortable and innovative life jacket designs, help boaters stay on the right side of the law, lower costs, and save lives.”

Explains Edmonston, “This is positive news is that we will no longer see a Type I, II, III, IV or V label on a new life jacket label after Oct. 22. This type coding was unique to the United States, tended to confuse boaters, limited choice and increased the cost of life jackets.” He says removing the type coding is a first step towards the adoption of new standards that will eventually simplify life jacket requirements for recreational boaters.

“This move is expected to lead to the introduction of new life jacket designs, especially those made in other countries as US standards will be more ‘harmonized,’ initially Canada and eventually the European Union,” said Edmonston. “Along with a wider variety, aligning our standards with those to our neighbor to the north and across the Atlantic will help reduce prices as manufacturers won’t have to make products unique to the US market.”

However, Edmonston cautions boaters must still abide by the current standards when using older life jackets marked with the Type I-V labeling, as they will remain legal for use. “We must continue to have a properly fitted life jacket for all aboard, and as always, you’ll need to follow the label’s instructions regardless of when it was made. Simply put, if you follow the label, you’re following the law.” A full list of the current life jacket types and descriptions can be found at BoatUS.org/life-jackets, and any update on new life jacket types and styles will be posted here when available.

In additional effort to help change the mindset of what a life jacket must look like, The BoatUS Foundation, the Personal Floatation Device Manufacturers Association (PFDMA) and the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA), recently kicked off a “Innovations in Life Jacket Design Competition” to seek out the newest technologies and design ideas. Running through April 15, 2015, the contest seeks entries from groups or individuals, including collegiate design programs, armchair inventors or even boat and fishing clubs. Entries may be as simple as hand-drawn theoretical designs to working prototypes and will be judged based on four criteria: wearability, reliability, cost and innovation. For more, go to BoatUS.org/design.

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About the BoatUS Foundation:

The BoatUS Foundation for Boating Safety and Clean Water is a national leader promoting safe, clean and responsible boating. Funded primarily by donations from over half-million members of BoatUS, it provides innovative educational outreach directly to boaters and anglers with the aim of reducing accidents and fatalities, increasing stewardship of America's waterways and keeping boating safe for all. A range of boating safety courses – including 33 free state courses – can be found at BoatUS.org/courses.

RBOC to Attend June 17 Forum on Navigation Service Modernization

RBOC representatives will be attending the June 17 "listening session" to be conducted in Long Beach by the U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and NOAA’s Office of Coast Survey.

This is one of a series of public discussions on navigational aid technology and how it will affect the future of America's waterways.

From the US Coast Guard:

"The Future of Navigation-21st Century Waterways public listening sessions will be held in several locations across the country and will provide venues for open communications between various federal agencies and U.S. Maritime Transportation System stakeholders to discuss the joint federal agency initiative to use modern technology to support a safer, more efficient, more secure and environmentally-sound Marine Transportation System.

"These listening sessions will provide the maritime community — both professional and recreational mariners — and waterways stakeholders an opportunity beyond traditional venues to express their emerging needs for navigational information and service delivery systems necessary to improve the safety and efficiency of transits on the nation's waterways."

From the NOAA:

"Over the past few decades, mariners have witnessed the rapid development, reliability, and availability of e-navigation components, such as the global positioning system (GPS) and electronic chart display and information systems (ECDIS). These systems, and other technology, have fundamentally changed mariners’ reliance on traditional navigation services. In addition, the ability to manage data and information provided to the mariner through the automatic identification system (AIS) and cellular service has enhanced the interconnectivity between shore side information providers and shipboard users. These technological advances and data flow will help the mariner receive data, transmit data, and generally improve bridge resource management, situational awareness, and navigational safety.

"These fundamental changes present the U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and NOAA’s Office of Coast Survey with an opportunity to take the next steps in modernizing federal navigation services. Technology development compels these federal agencies to optimize the current aids to navigation, other maritime information systems, and nautical charting.

"We want to hear from you, as we develop a federal development portfolio that will provide coordinated and timely delivery of navigational information and services. We invite you to attend one of our listening sessions, to tell us your emerging requirements for navigational information and service delivery systems in an eNAV environment."

RBOC Supporting Federal Bills Designating Delta National Heritage Area

RBOC in conjunction with our federal government relations partners at BoatUS is supporting pending federal legislation S.228 (Feinstein) and H.R. 1004 (Garamendi) – The Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta National Heritage Area Establishment Act. This legislation would designate the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta as the first National Heritage Area (NHA) in the State of California.

RBOC representatives had been involved in the public process to develop the Delta Protection Commission’s NHA Feasibility Study and applaud the Commission for the extensive public involvement and engagement efforts which had been undertaken.

RBOC firmly believes that this project is closely aligned with our principles to protect and enhance the recreation and boating interests of California including the Delta. What impresses us most about this project is the commitment to establish a federal recognition of the Delta due to its assemblage of cultural and historical resources.

NHA designation has the potential to help gain visibility to the role the Delta has served in the nation by being an important location for water based recreation, dating back to the Gold Rush era in the 1850s. A Delta NHA can also link recreational and historic sites of the Delta, utilizing the waterways as corridors.

Recreational Boaters of California gives full support for the NHA designation and looks forward to future collaborative planning and implementation.

RBOC Urging USEPA to Complete Review of Biotic Ligand Model

RBOC is urging that the USEPA Office of Water complete its review of the Copper Marine Biotic Ligand Model [BLM] for metals in salt water.

This issue is important to boaters as it impacts decisions made by the state and regional water quality control boards that address copper including the copper-based anti-fouling paints used on boat hulls in salt water.

When adopted by USEPA, this water quality criteria document will be available for use in California and will allow for more accurate marine and estuarine water quality criteria to be developed to protect the environment and to create more scientifically defensible regulatory actions rather than the arbitrary one-size-fits all number that is currently used. 

This BLM uses the latest science to calculate water quality criteria for copper on the basis of water quality conditions at a specific water body/site. The water chemistry is measured at that site and put into the model to calculate protective water quality criteria for that specific site. This is widely recognized as a scientifically proven method.

Adoption of the action by the USEPA will help all parties involved establish protective and accurate water quality criteria.

BoatUS Speaks Up for America’s Boat Owners at EPA Ethanol Hearings

The blending of ethanol into the nation’s gasoline supply was the topic of a hearing held today by the EPA to discuss the 2014 Standards for the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) Program. Last month, EPA released the 2014 proposed standards which reduced the amount of corn ethanol mandated under the RFS for the first time since the law was implemented. This was a small but tide-changing victory for boat owners whose vessels cannot operate with ethanol above a 10% blend level without serious harm or safety concerns. BoatUS Government Affairs Program Manager Nicole Payla Wood, along with a coalition of representatives from environmental groups, fuel and manufacturing associations as well as food, restaurant, poultry and meat producers testified at today’s hearing to lower the Renewable Fuel Standard.

“We believe in a national renewable fuels policy, but one that is both safe for boaters and sound for the environment,” said Wood, “However, until the current ethanol mandate is removed, there is little room for investment in other renewable fuels that may not have the current negative impact of corn-based ethanol.” Wood explained that the real success would come if Congress changes the law to recognize today’s decreasing fuel usage in the US.

In her testimony, Wood advised the EPA, “We want to commend the EPA for taking a giant step towards addressing the current day realities of the Renewable Fuel Standard with the drafting of the 2014 proposed renewable volumetric obligations. We applaud their pivotal recognition of the shrinking demand for fuel and hope this sends a signal to Congress of the dangers that an impending blend wall presents to the average consumer. The EPA is trying to do its part for the consumer in addressing these market changes, and now is the time for Congress to do so as well.”

Wood added: “As the Renewable Fuel Standard policy pushes higher blends of ethanol gasoline into the market, there is an increased potential for misfueling and engine failure that needs to be made clear. Not all Americans can afford to drive tow vehicles made after 2001, and for boaters these higher blends are poison to our marine engines.”

“There is a critical safety and soundness issue related to the use of higher blends of ethanol in marine engines that cannot be denied. More than half of Boat Owners Association of The United States members fuel their boats at roadside gas stations. With 11 states now approved to sell E15 – a fuel that no marine engine is warrantied to run on – the opportunity for misfueling is growing. And what may result in a roadside breakdown for a car, can quickly lead to a search and rescue mission or search and recovery in a boat.”

“We think it’s also important to point out that EPA’s role in the Renewable Fuel Standard is to implement the policy, not reform the law. Although there are implicit waiver authorities written into the law, the EPA shouldn’t have to use that authority to modify policy to meet the realities of the current marketplace every year. It is the responsibility of the EPA and Congress however, to ensure that the fuel they approve for our consumers is a safe and reliable fuel for our engines, all engines. It is our hope that Congress will now accept the baton, and continue their work on a permanent fix for the Renewable Fuel Standard.”

For more information, a two-page 2013 E15 and the Renewable Fuel Standard Issue Brief by BoatUS Government Affairs is available at:http://www.BoatUS.com/Assets/www.boatus.com/gov/pdf/Issue Brief - Ethanol.pdf

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About BoatUS:

Boat Owners Association of The United States (BoatUS) is the nation’s leading advocate for recreational boaters providing its over half-million members with government representation, services such as 24-hour on water boat towing as well as roadside assistance for boat trailers and tow vehicles, feature-packed boat insurance programs, money-saving benefits that include marina and West Marine shopping discounts, and vital information that improves recreational boating. Go to BoatUS.com for more.