LAKE WYLIE -- The group advocating for more than 650,000 recreational boaters nationwide believes every vessel could be in danger because of a "silly" law on the horizon.</p><p>The Boat Owners Association of the United States is urging boaters to contact their legislators in favor of the Clean Boating Act of 2008. If both houses of Congress do not pass the bill by September, all boats nationwide would be required to have discharge permits beginning Sept. 30.</p><p>"If this doesn't pass, every boat will need a permit from the (Environmental Protection Agency)," said Scott Croft, spokesman for BoatU.S. "It's really silly. That would even include canoes, jon boats, runabouts, even boats with no engines. It's just silly."</p><p>But, Croft said, the new rule could allow the EPA to monitor deck runoff, grey water, bilge water, engine cooling water and the use of copper bottom paints. And to do so, boaters would be required to purchase state permits.</p><p>"I'm not talking about sewage, but water from when we wash our hands with on board water that doesn't have to go into the holding tank," said Charles "Bo" Ibach, Charlotte Power Squadron officer and Lake Wylie Marine Commission member. "Not only would all boats have to stop running because of cooling exhaust, but there could be no gray water put into any waterway."</p><p>A 2006 U.S. District Court ruling overturned an exemption in the Clean Water Act of 1972 allowing recreational boats to avoid permitting for "normal operational discharges." The court ruling targeting large, ocean-going ships with ballast water tanks intended to prevent the introduction of invasive species from overseas to U.S. waters.</p><p>"It's another issue of government gone amok," Ibach said. "Instead of targeting just the problem, they created a law that goes way too far."</p><p>However, if the Clean Boating Act does pass, recreational boats would be exempt from the permit requirement.</p><p>"It would allow for a normal operational discharge," Croft said. "It's for these normal, recreational boats that don't go to Europe or anywhere else, that somehow all got lumped into this new rule meant for commercial shipping vessels."</p><p>The act would not give boaters a "free pass" to discharge pollutants such as oil, fuel, garbage or sewage, Croft said. Those pollutants are prohibited through existing environmental laws.</p><p>An EPA fact sheet linked to the National Marine Manufacturers Association Web site, nmma.org, states the particulars of the permit program have not been outlined in terms of cost or the process for acquiring them. The fact sheet reflects U.S. Coast Guard statistics from 2005 showing 8,400 ships with ballast water tanks nationally, along with 81,000 commercial fishing vessels, 53,000 freight and tank barges and 13 million state-registered recreational boats.</p><p>"It appears to implicate an extremely large number of vessels and range of discharges," reads the fact sheet.</p><p>EPA Spokesman Dale Kemery echoed the fact that his organization does not yet know the specifics of the new permitting program. He said two types of permits would be required for recreational boats: one for vessels in excess of 79 feet and one for shorter boats.</p><p>As for the change that no longer allows "discharges incidental to the normal operation of a vessel," the EPA's stance aligns with the legal decision that overturned the Clean Water Act exemption.</p><p>"There's a court order," said Kemery. "The EPA is obliged to follow the court order."</p><p>The biggest challenge to passing the Clean Boating Act to exempt recreational vessels is timing, Croft said. BoatU.S. asks residents to contact legislators in Washington, D.C., asking for immediate action. Among the 33 U.S. Senate members co-sponsoring its version of the bill are Sen. Elizabeth Dole and Sen. Richard Burr, both of North Carolina.</p><p>Neither South Carolina's Sen. Lindsey Graham or Sen. Jim DeMint are listed as co-sponsors. Efforts to obtain comment from Graham and DeMint were unsuccessful.</p><p>With issues such as high gas prices and a struggling economy, discretionary items like boating have a hard enough time without more regulations and permits, Croft said.</p><p>"Boating is hurting right now," he said. "We don't need anything else on top of that."</p><p>To find out more or to find out how to contact state and federal legislators, visit boatus.com/gov or boatblue.org.</p><p><b>Legislators who can vote on the Clean Boating Act:</b></p><p><b>IN LAKE WYLIE</b></p><p>Sen. Lindsey Graham, (202) 224-5972 or (864) 250-1417</p><p>Sen. Jim DeMint, (202) 224-6121 or (864) 233-5366</p><p>Rep. John Spratt, (202) 225-5501 or (803) 327-1114</p><p><b>IN STEELE CREEK</b></p><p>Sen. Elizabeth Dole, (202) 224-6342 or (919) 856-4630</p><p>Sen. Richard Burr, (202) 224-3154 or (336) 631-5125</p><p>Rep. Melvin Watt, (202) 225-1510 or (704) 344-9950</p><p><b>IN BELMONT</b></p><p>Sen. Elizabeth Dole, (202) 224-6342 or (919) 865-4630</p><p>Sen. Richard Burr, (202) 224-3154 or (336) 631-5125</p><p>Rep. Sue Myrick, (202) 225-1976 or (704) 362-1060