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MMTA ENews Brief: October 13, 2005
- Please Return Membership Survey
- Let MMTA Help You Expand
- Hug Your Harbormaster
- LNG in Boston Harbor
- DEP Updates
- MMTA Member Wins NMMA Award
- News from MRAA
- Endangered Species Update
- EPA Seeks Grant Applications
- Landing School Hosts 1st Program on the Road
- NMMA Calls for Chapman Award Nominations
- Industry Calendar
- Staples Business Advantage Program
- Have an Item for ENews?
- E-Mail Changes?
- Advertise on BoatMA.com
- Share The Wealth
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Return to Archived NewsBriefs - Newsletters
PLEASE RETURN MMTA MEMBERSHIP SURVEY TODAY
Seagull patiently awaiting the
return of MMTA Membership Surveys |
All MMTA members were mailed a Membership Survey last month. We will soon begin the process of tabulating the data and welcome as many responses as possible. To make your Association even better, please dig out the survey, take a few minutes to fill it out and return via fax or regular mail. Please fax completed surveys to 781.846.0207.
Sincere thanks to all who have already completed the Membership Survey. If you need another copy of the survey, drop an email to Leona.Roach@boatMa.com with the words "Survey Copy" in the Subject Line.
EXPANSION PLANS? MMTA WANTS TO HELP
Are you seeking to expand your facility to increase the supply of slips, moorings or upland storage? Are you re-applying for statewide permits, licenses or participating in the Massachusetts Environmental Policy Act (MEPA) process? If the answer is yes, please contact MMTA because we would like to offer you a letter of support to any and all project reviewers.
Our legal counsel, Jamy Buchanan Madeja, Esq. (617-227-8410) has drafted a letter of support for MMTA members, which can be tailored to your facility's needs. If MMTA can be of assistance, please contact Executive Director Leona Roach via email (Leona.Roach@boatMa.com) or via telephone at 781.826.1570 or Jamy Buchanan Madeja at 617-227-8410 or jmadeja@buchananassociates.com.
Expanding the supply of slips, moorings and boat storage is critical to the future of the marine industry in Massachusetts. This offer of written support for marine expansion projects and permitting is an exclusive MMTA member benefit.
HUG YOUR HARBORMASTER
MMTA thanks the newly formed Massachusetts Harbormaster Association for their support of the MMTA endorsed Abandoned Vessel Legislation.
In early October, a letter of support for the legislation sponsored by Rep. Anthony Verga was sent to the House Ways and Means Committee and was signed by MHA President and Nantucket Harbormaster, Dave Fronzuto. MHA support pointed out the enormous costs to cities and towns in disposing of abandoned vessels at municipal marinas and on town property under the currently cumbersome process.
MMTA is grateful for the support of MHA on this important piece of legislation. Thanks also go to MMTA members Richard Egan of Crosby Yacht Yard, Russ Vickers of Hawthorne Cove Marina and Greg Glavin of Onset Bay Marina who continue to cultivate a positive working relationship with the Commonwealth's Harbormasters.
COMMENTS ON PROPOSED GAS FACILITY IN BOSTON HARBOR
MMTA has developed and distributed comments in opposition to the Proposed Liquefied Natural Gas Facility at Outer Brewster Island within the Boston Harbor Islands National Park. To view a complete copy of the comments and learn the ways in which this proposed facility has the potential to affect MMTA members and impact recreational boating, please visit the Members Only area of the BoatMa.com website
MASSACHUSETTS DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION UPDATES
From the Desk of Jamy Buchanan Madeja, Esq. MMTA Government Relations & Legal Counsel
ENFORCEMENT TIP: As announced in a previous MMTA E-NEWS BRIEF, the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has been doing targeted marine industry inspections, starting with the Southeast Region. They have about 2-3 of the original 6-8 selected facilities left to inspect. We do not know who is left, so everyone should remain, as always, alert for non-compliant activities or conditions. We do not know when other regions may begin enforcement inspections of their own. The Southeast Region is expected to advise the other regions with marine-industry-specific enforcement and inspection information.
Informally, DEP seem pleased with the results so far, in that they have observed the recreational boating industry "seems easy to work with" and "is trying to attain full compliance and sound environmental results." Also Informally, DEP cautions that the most challenging unresolved issue remains how wash water from cleaning vessels is handled. The regulatory requirements applicable to power washing are extremely demanding. Technically, the U.S. EPA's Clean Water Act regulations require more particulate and heavy metal removal than many Massachusetts facilities have the capacity to address. In most cases, full compliance with the actual regulations would cost more than they can reasonably afford.
Because enforcement is so discretionary, MMTA is keeping a close eye on all legal and technical developments, especially regarding marine wash water and storm water permitting. Please help us help you, and let us know of positive and negative experiences.
ENFORCEMENT RESULTS: In one particular enforcement case, DEP finalized a negotiated consent order with a penalty for hazardous waste, air quality and industrial wastewater violations. Of the total penalty assessed, nearly 75 % of the penalty will be suspended upon completion of a Supplemental Environmental Project (SEP) to install a closed-loop pressure washing system. In short, this means the violator was allowed to put penalty funds into environmentally beneficial actions viewed by DEP as not otherwise already required by law.
When in trouble, seek this result (use of penalty for a SEP). Usually, the selected SEP must be something not otherwise required by law. Sometimes, one can negotiate for a SEP which is the only practical means of attaining compliance with a broad or imprecise regulation, but which is not directly required but law.
DEP OFFICES OPENING/RE-OPENING: The Commissioner of DEP, Bob Golledge, has stated his intention to reopen a Wilmington office for DEP to handle Northeast Regional matters on or about November 1, 2005. DEP divides all of Massachusetts by towns into regional offices. Some existing regional boundaries will be changing as of May 1. For example, Cohasset will become Southeast instead of Northeast (logical) and a few other towns will follow watershed boundaries. He also hopes to open a modestly scaled Cape & Islands office to make meetings more convenient for Cape & Islands folks by May 1, 2006, although the Southeast Regional office will continue to have "jurisdiction" over such matters.
Questions: Contact Jamy Buchanan Madeja, Esq. at 617-227-8410 or jmadeja@buchananassociates.com.
MMTA MEMBER CLEAN WATER SOLUTIONS
WINS NMMA ENVIRONMENTAL INNOVATION AWARD
Clean Water Solutions, Inc. of New Bedford, MA won two NMMA Innovation Awards: one was presented for the NMMA's first ever Environmental Innovation Award and the other for Boat Care Products and was presented at the Las Vegas MAATS show by NMMA and Boating Writers International.
The Massachusetts based Clean Water Solutions, Inc. (CWSI) has created an innovative and cutting-edge line of products that efficiently bioremediate oil and other pollutants. The products target bilges of boats, marinas, catch basins, septic tanks, and holding tanks -- anywhere that hydrocarbons are a problem.
CWSI's division of Old Colony Foam/Pack which launched the original bioremediating product "POOF" is now introducing an extended line of affordable products designed to reclaim and protect our most essential environmental investment, our global water supply -- both fresh and salt.
For more information visit www.cleanwatersolutionsinc.com
NEWS FROM MRAA
MRAA PRESENTS AWARD TO USCGA FLOTILLA
The Marine Retailers Association of America (MRAA) announced that they have awarded United States Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla 13-73 with the National Vessel Safety Check/Marine Dealer Visitation Award. This award is given annually by MRAA to the top producing Flotilla in the nation for the work in the Vessel Safety Check/Marine Dealer Visitation program of the Auxiliary. Flotilla 13-17 is in the Coast Guard Sector Portland (ID, MO,WA and OR). The Flotilla commander is Doug Balkema.
MRAA has a long-standing relationship with the Auxiliary and is especially supportive of the work being done by these dedicated volunteers to improve the safety of recreational boaters. "MRAA feels the education provided by the Auxiliary is a prime method to insure a more pleasurable boating experience and we commend them for their efforts," said Phil Keeter, MRAA President.
MRAA CONVENTION REGISTRATION GROWING RAPIDLY
The registrations for the 2005 Marine Retailers Association of America (MRAA) Annual Convention being held November 8-10, 2005 at the Stardust Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada, are coming in "fast and furious" reported MRAA.
"MRAA wants all dealers to take advantage of the convention program - great speakers, relevant topics, important industry issues discussions and updates plus a once a year opportunity to network in available," commented Phil Keeter, MRAA President. "The convention is open to all dealers, retailers, marina operators and manufacturers who want to attend. Association membership is not a prerequisite or requirement - just the desire to enhance our industry and become more profitable is required," he concluded. For more information contact MRAA at 708-763-9210 or visit our website at www.mraa.com, or email the association at mraa@mraa.com
ENDANGERED SPECIES ACT UPDATE
From the Washington DC Office of Larry Innis
By now, I'm guessing most know that the House of Representatives passed legislation on September 29 that would re-authorize the Endangered Species Act by greatly expanding private-property rights by a vote of 229 to 193. The rewrite faces an uncertain future in the Senate, where Senator Lincoln Chafee (R-Rhode Island), chair of the oversight subcommittee with jurisdiction, has concerns about the bill.
The bill would require the federal government to compensate property owners if measures or decisions to protect species thwart development plans.
The White House supports the bill.
What most people do not know is that Congressman Adam Pulnam (R-Florida) offered an amendment that passed the House vote which says," Consultation under section 7 of the Endangered Species Act of 1978 (16 U.S.C. 536) is equivalent to a section 101 incidental take authorization required under the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972 (16 U.S.C. 1631 et seq.) for receiving dock building permits."
What does this mean?
Thanks to Congressman Pulnam, marinas and private dock builders will only have to comply with one set of federal rules in this particular area. If a development at a marina or private dock qualifies under section 7 of the ESA than it automatically qualifies under the Marine Mammal Protection Act requirements. This is good news to boating.
The Marine Industry Association of Florida has been talking to the Congressman on its annual visits to his office during our industry's legislative conference in May about the problems marinas, in particular, have been having with duplicative government regulations. However, Congressman Putnam clearly took the lead on this and offered the amendment on his own. He deserves a big THANK YOU from everyone in our industry.
Because of his action, passage of the ESA in the Senate becomes an even greater priority for boating.
By the way, Pulnam is a power boater.
Cheers,
Larry
On the Lighter Side and also from Larry Innis...
A Prayer for Safe Docking:
Yea, though I glide through the valley of the shadow
of disaster, I will fear no problem:
For thou art with me, my fenders and my docklines, they comfort me.
Thou preparest a plan before me in the presence
of mine smirking neighbors
A plan that will guide me miraculously into my dock; as simple
as a
finger squeezes into a glove. My cup of joy runneth over.
Surely envy and wonderment shall follow my neighbors all the days of
their lives and I will dwell in the house of Fabulous Boathandlers forever.
Amen.
EPA SEEKING APPLICATIONS FOR ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION GRANTS
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's New England Office is seeking applications from educators, education institutions, public/state environmental agencies and non-profit organizations for environmental education grants for fiscal year 2006. The applications must be received no later than Nov. 23, 2005. Environmental education solicitation notice is available at www.epa.gov/enviroed.
Upcoming Marine Industry Events
Know of an event that you think should be included? Drop us a line at Leona.Roach@boatMA.com
MMTA-STAPLES BUSINESS ADVANTAGE PROGRAM
Deep discounts and dedicated customer service typically reserved for much larger corporations are now available to MMTA members.
How Do I Enroll?
It's easy. Visit the MMTA Members Only Section at www.BoatMA.com and click on the STAPLES LOGO.
Forgot YOUR MMTA Members Only Password? Remember they are case sensitive:
Username: MMTA
Password: hightide
After you complete the online enrollment, an MMTA-Staples Account Manager will contact you to complete the registration process and assist with any questions you have about getting started. It's That Easy!
E-MAIL CHANGES?
Unlike the US Post Office, the cyberspace postmaster does not forward your e-mail. Has your e-mail address changed? If so, be sure to let us know so you won't miss an issue of MMTA ENews: Send a notice of any email address changes or requests to opt out of future mailings to: webmaster@boatMA.com
ADVERTISE ON BOATMA.COM
THE BEST PROMOTIONAL VALUE FOR YOUR MARINE BUSINESS!
If you do ANY advertising, this is THE place to be! Only for MMTA members, the BOATMA.com web site draws thousands of boaters every single day. There is no better place to get exposure for your marine trades business!
MMTA also invites you to sponsor an ENews Brief. We will feature an image and some text about your company right at the top of a ENews Brief like this one, which is sent to all MMTA members. What a great business-to-business opportunity!
Email webmaster@boatma.com or call David, the BoatMA.com webmaster, at 508-240-2533 to sign up today!
SHARE THE WEALTH!
Like what you have read? PLEASE share these ENews briefs with colleagues and staff of MMTA member firms. While emails are sent to one contact at a Member Firm, all employees of member firms can benefit from this information.
HAVE AN ITEM FOR ENEWS? Drop us a line at: Leona.Roach@BoatMA.co
MEMBERSHIPS SUPPORT MMTA
Do you know a firm that should be a Full or Associate member of MMTA? We want your referrals for membership: just drop a note to Membership Committee Chairman Niven Damon at Niven@nivendamon.com or signup on-line.
New Member applications submitted and approved at the November Board meeting will be eligible for a 14 month membership!
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