Virginia Saltwater Fishing

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is seeking public comment from boaters and other stakeholders to help develop proposed regulations, as required by the 2008 Clean Boating Act, to reduce water pollution and the spread of invasive species in the nation’s rivers, lakes and other water bodies. As an alternative to permits required for commercial vessels, the act directs EPA to develop and promulgate management practices for recreational vessels.

The important input received through this process will help guide the development of proposed regulations to mitigate adverse effects from recreational boat discharges, such as bilgewater, graywater and deck runoff, that may contain substances harmful to water quality or spread invasive species.

The Clean Boating Act directs EPA to take steps to limit the impact of pollution and the spread of invasive species associated with the discharge from boats. As part of the public input, EPA is also seeking information from states that already enact standards to limit the impacts of boat discharges on waterways.

Based on the important input received, EPA will seek to develop appropriate management practices and performance standards that protect waterways while also working with the U.S. Coast Guard, which will establish regulations governing the design, construction, installation and use of management practices. Implementation of these management practices will allow boaters and other water enthusiasts to continue enjoying our nation’s water bodies while protecting water quality.

EPA is holding listening sessions and conducting webinars to inform interested parties about the Clean Boating Act and receive public input. The listening sessions will be held in Annapolis, Md. on March 18 and April 29.

More information about the Clean Boating Act: http://water.epa.gov/lawsregs/lawsguidance/cwa/vessel/CBA/about.cfm

If you operate a motorboat or PWC in Virginia, you need to you know about Virginia’s boating safety education requirements.

In 2007, the Virginia General Assembly enacted a law to establish a boating safety education compliance requirement. This requirement will be phased in over the next several years and by 2016, all operators of PWCs (Personal Watercraft such as jet skis, Sea Doos, Wave Runners) and operators of Motorboats with a 10 hp or greater motor, will be required to have a boating safety education course completion card on board when operating a PWC or Motorboat.

As of July 1, 2009, all PWC operators 20 years old and younger must complete a boating safety course. This is the beginning of the phase-in of the Education Compliance Requirement for all Virginia boaters.

Beginning July 1, 2010, all PWC operators 35 and younger must complete a boating safety course.

For more information, visit:

http://www.dgif.virginia.gov/boating/education/requirement/

The Marina at Marina Shores will host its Spring Fling 2010 Land & Water Boat Show.

The event will be held April 16th, 17th & 18th 10AM to 4PM.

Boats for sale may also be displayed by private owners and brokers. Spaces are available for $50 (three-day event).

The show is free and open to the public and includes fun for the entire family.

Events will include great food, face painting and a variety of demonstrations & displays.

Demonstrations & Displays:

US Coast Guard
HRSD (free boat pump out demo)
Interstate Batteries
Tim Pugh/Intercoastal Financial Group
Boaters CO-OP
Tow Boat US Virginia Beach
The Yacht Club at Marina Shores/Weddings & Special Events

For more information and to reserve your space call 757.496.7000 or e-mail marinashores[AT]aol.com

Contact Information:

The Marina at Marina Shores
2100 Marina Shores Drive
Virginia Beach, VA 23451
www.marinashores.com
757.496.7000

The Fifth Coast Guard District commander has issued a temporary deviation from the regulation governing the operating schedule of the Berkley Bridge across the Eastern Branch of the Elizabeth River at Norfolk, Va., at the request of the Virginia Department of Transportation.

This deviation will evaluate a change in the drawbridge’s operating schedule to determine whether a permanent schedule change is needed.

The temporary deviation will be in effect from Oct. 9, 2009, through March 9, 2010. During this time, the drawbridge will open to vessels requesting passage at 9 a.m., 11 a.m., 1 p.m., and 2:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, except federal holidays. At all other times, the bridge will operate as scheduled. A Notice of Proposed Rule Making for a 3-year deviation plan lasting until Oct. 5, 2012 is also being considered.

The Virginia Department of Transportation will have signs in place before Oct. 24, 2009 alerting maritime traffic of these new regulations. Beginning Monday, Oct. 19, motorists should prepare for scheduled stops at the I-264/I-464 Berkley Bridge at 9 a.m., 11 a.m., 1 p.m., and 2:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, except federal holidays. The duration of the traffic stops will be dependent on the volume of maritime traffic.

Interested parties are requested to express their views, in writing, on the temporary deviation from the operating regulations. Comments will be received for the record at:

Commander (dpb)

Fifth Coast Guard District

431 Crawford St.

Portsmouth, Va., 23704

Written comments on this proposal must be submitted on or before Dec. 8, 2009.

A copy of the Docket USCG-2009-0754 published in the Federal Register on Oct, 9, is available to be viewed by the public on their website.

For further questions on this proposed rule or copies of Public Notice 5-1158 which describes the deviation schedule in detail, call Waverly Gregory, bridge administrator for the Fifth Coast Guard District, at (757) 398-6222 or e-mail at Waverly.W.Gregory@uscg.mil.

source: USCG press release