• Support storage of fuel at marine storage facilities
• Support pump-out facilities at marinas and yacht basins under the Clean Vessel Act
• Strongly advocate permanent funding for the Aquatic Resources Trust Fund (Wallop-Breaux)
• Support programs which provide retention of existing boating access facilities and obtaining increased future access
• Supports universal Boater Safety Education and reciprocity in all 50 States - but not licensing
  
  

NATIONAL REPORT - April 4, 2009

Trust Fund Reauthorization Update

Meetings, which began in the fall and still continue, are being held to develop a consensus on the reauthorization of the Sports Fish Restoration and Boating Trust Fund (Wallop/Breaux). Funds for the program are derived from Federal fuel taxes and excise taxes on fishing equipment which nets around $700M per year . Some of the problems have been the difficulty in estimating revenue totals given the recession and the allocation of funds between various interest groups. We need to have the legislation written by May and hopefully attach it to the Highway bill and obtain passage.

Grants Not Available for AIS Purchases

We were unsuccessful in obtaining Federal grants through the Wallop/Breaux program toward purchase of AIS systems for recreational boats. The main reason for this is we had no real estimates of the number of boat owners who would purchase these units or its total cost. Those who do extensive cruising and have AIS units have praised its value.

Future of LORAN-C

The USCG has issued a Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement (PEIS) on the continuation of the LORAN-C Program. As everyone knows the CG has tried many times to end LORAN operations even after spending millions to upgrade all stations nationwide. Given the President's elimination of funding for LORAN in his budget and the Coast Guard's determination to discontinue its operation, the future of LORAN looks bleak. NBF was successful in opposing the shutdown in previous attempts by the USCG, however, we are taking a neutral position at this time.

Coalition Group Opposes Ethanol Increase

As reported in Trade Only a broad coalition of interest groups, including the National Marine Manufacturers Association, has begun work to oppose EPA efforts to increase ethanol levels in gasoline. The coalition has stated that the decision to increase levels to 15 or 20 percent should be based only on unbiased science to determine the effect on motor vehicle and marine engines. Further complicating this is the huge increase in ethanol production by the year 2020 required in the Energy bill passed last year. Plus the stimulus package includes a 50% tax credit for gas stations that install pumps for alternative fuels like ethanol. All boatmen should have either heard or read of the harm ethanol can do to marine engines.