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LEGAL/LEGISLATIVE MATTERS
Jamy Madeja reports as follows on recent activities on legislative matters:
- A meeting was arranged with Comm. Bob Golledge of DEP and the challenges faced by boatyards and marinas in MA was presented. DEP staff will participate in an interagency forum to address our concerns
- There has been a very preliminary boater education proposal from the Environmental Police. (See pg. 4)
- A legislative update of all pending bills was given. She reported great public support on one to ban watercraft on local waterways presently without state approval.
- MMTA has sent letters seeking level funding for the Public Access Board and safer staffing for the Env. Police.
- A meeting was held with Barbara Berke, director of Economic Development, We would like to see speedier approval of marina and boatyard expansion.
- The Oceans Management Task Force included a recommendation that Chapter 91 licenses be reviewed for possible restructuring. (As a later note, DEP is improving and their information and service delivery via the web and have asked for our input).
- Dick Murray of the Env. Police is retiring in April and we understand a committee is being made up to review that department and consider Dick’s successor. (Note: we hope to be represented on the committee)
- The city of Boston wants to charge user/mooring fees on all boats moored or docked in Boston Harbor. A survey of harbormasters was undertaken to determine current practice in other coastal harbors. The results are shown elsewhere in the Newsletter.
- On a later note, a bill relative to certifying harbormasters in the state has been referred to the Committee on Homeland Security.
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