April 21 Strategy Session Workshop on Copper-based Anti-fouling Surfaces

Boaters, clubs, marinas, industry, elected officials and government agencies are invited to attend a Strategy Session Workshop to explore actions that can be taken to obtain a common-sense, uniform statewide standard for copper-based anti-fouling surfaces.

Monday, April 21, 2014

2:00 pm

Newport Beach Civic Center Community Room

100 Civic Center Drive, Newport Beach, CA 92660

RSVP TO: rboc@rboc.org

THE ISSUE

Local regional water quality control boards are taking action to implement copper total maximum daily loads [TMDLs] in impaired water bodies in California. This occurred first in Shelter Island Yacht Basin in San Diego. Earlier this year, this occurred in Marina del Rey.  Next up could be Newport Beach, and others are anticipated.

In each of these situations, a good deal of misunderstanding surrounds the topic of copper based anti-fouling paint.  Some regional water quality control boards, following the requirements of the Clean Water Act, have started to implement measures that seek to reduce the amount of copper in the water. The target has been recreational boaters and the reliance upon copper based anti-fouling paint.

The real problem, however, is that the current federal standard is overly protective and that, in fact, the copper in the water of our marinas is not in any way toxic to benthic organisms.

The Environmental Protection Agency [USEPA] could promulgate a new and economic method to determine realistic site-specific copper standards: the Biotic Ligand Model [BLM]. This would enable a correct assessment of the impairment to marine waters due to copper.

We need to take action. See you at the Workshop!

RBOC Supporting Bill Revising Penalties for Minor Violations

RBOC is supporting SB 1162 [Berryhill] that would appropriately reclassify minor boating-related violations from misdemeanors to infractions.

RBOC supports the provisions in SB 1162 that would revise the existing law that provides misdemeanor penalties for several minor violations of boating and waterways rules.

Many common violations of the Harbors and Navigation Code related to the blue light law, skiing without an observer, skiing after sunset, and others are classified as misdemeanors.

These violations do not rise to the level of misdemeanor criminality and enforcing them as such stresses the existing resources of law enforcement, prosecutors, and courts.

SB 1162 would appropriately reclassify these boating-related violations as infractions, similar to Vehicle Code violations, and would allow them be heard and adjudicated in traffic courts.

RBOC Supporting Legislation to Phase-In Boat Operator Certification

Recreational Boaters of California is working in support of SB 941 that has been introduced by Senator Bill Monning [D-Carmel] and Senator Mark DeSaulnier [D-Concord] to phase-in a vessel operator certification requirement.

Stated RBOC President Karen Rhyne: “We are pleased that SB 941 is being pursued to require that boat operators pass a boating education examination and obtain a vessel operator card issued by the state Division of Boating and Waterways [DBW] in order to operate a boat in California that is propelled by an engine.”

Continued Rhyne: “We have been working with the co-authors in the development of SB 941, which is modeled on legislation RBOC sponsored previously. This new measure will work to further enhance safety on the waterways and we will be working together with Senators Monning and DeSaulnier, as well as other stakeholders, to accomplish enhanced boater safety.”

SB 941 would require DBW to issue a vessel operator card to individuals who have passed an approved examination.  The requirement to obtain a vessel operator card would apply initially to operators 20 years of age or younger with a phased-in implementation date depending on the age of the individual. The seven-year phase-in would begin in 2018 and would eventually apply to everyone as of 2025.

Importantly, online education such as the BoatUS Foundation course will be an option. The BoatUS Foundation course is available at: http://www.boatus.org/courses/

RBOC will continue to be engaged as SB 941 moves forward. Additional key provisions in the bill as introduced are proposed statutes that provide for the vessel operator certification program to be administered by the Division of Boating and Waterways, establish a procedure to set new fees at levels that are reasonable and at levels directly related to the costs of implementation, and phase-in a lifetime certificate for operators who pass a state-approved examination.