New Fees on the Horizon

If you don't think recreational boaters should be required to buy a pricey water-discharge permit from the federal government, now is a good time to let Washington know.

The Clean Water Act of 2008—a bill aimed to reverse a recent ruling that would force pleasure boaters to buy the same costly permits required of commercial freighters and tankers—is now stalled in Congress by one vote. Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) refused to pass the bill before the holiday weekend unless commerical fishing boats were also exempt.

If legislators fail to enact the measure before the summer recess in a few weeks, then starting on Oct. 1, you will have to buy a permit to discharge any kind of water—engine cooling water, even deck run-off—from your boat.

To let your voice be heard, send a message to Congress.