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Tuesday, May 29, 2012

NMTA wins Environmental Excellence Award


Boating group recognized for leading industry to better environmental practices

Northwest Marine Trade Association (NMTA) has been named a 2012 recipient of an Environmental Excellence Award from the Association of Washington Business (AWB). The award, given to NMTA for Leading Environmental Practices, will be formally presented at AWB’s annual Spring Meeting in Spokane next month.

NMTA, which represents nearly 700 businesses involved in recreational boating, earned the award for its three-step approach to address environmental issues and challenges facing the industry:

  1. By persuading its member boatyards to work collaboratively with Seattle-based environmental watchdog Puget Soundkeeper Alliance and the Department of Ecology (DOE) on the development of a new General Boatyard Permit, establishing a fair but challenging benchmark for boatyards to meet when it comes to stormwater runoff containing levels of copper, zinc and other metals harmful to juvenile fish in regional waterways.

  2. Through taking the initiative and proactive approach in reducing potential copper pollution by introducing and successfully passing legislation in Washington state that calls for a phase-out of boat bottom paint containing copper by 2020.

  3. Establishing the Clean Boating Foundation (CBF), a 501c3 organization which created a new Certified Clean Boatyard program in the state, recognizing boatyards who meet or exceed best practices crafted by a combination of industry and environmental representatives. CBF will also begin educating boaters about the availability and effectiveness of copper-free bottom paint to prepare for the 2020 phase-out.

“The Washington state Boatyard Permit is the most stringent in the country, placing limitations and challenges on our members that are 20 years ahead of other restrictions around the country,” said NMTA President George Harris. “It was critical for NMTA to step in and work this issue on behalf of not only our industry, but boaters as well, to ensure boating continues to grow and thrive in the region. I am proud of the work we’ve accomplished and am confident the path we’ve helped create is the right one for our industry and the environment.”

The Environmental Excellence Award is the culmination of many hours of work contributed over the past several years by a number of NMTA members and volunteer leaders, including Bill Youngsman of Twin Bridges Marina and Jim Brown of YachtCare, current CBF chairman. Youngsman was the NMTA Board of Trustees chairman when the work began in 2010.

“We recognized the real threat to our industry if our boatyards went out of business due to regulatory challenges and environmental lawsuits,” said Youngsman. “Fortunately, paint companies have developed solutions in the form of copper-free bottom paint that work effectively in our region.  Our strategy was to bring the opposing groups together and resolve the issues in a rational, effective solution in which everyone wins.  Both NMTA and PSA dropped their appeals of the new DOE boatyard permit and NMTA proposed a phase out of copper bottom paint in the state.  They were bold and decisive moves and I am proud of all the efforts of our partners and volunteers in this groundbreaking achievement.”

AWB’s Environmental Excellence Awards recognize member companies for exemplary innovations and achievements in environmental protection, conservation and compliance. The awards showcase companies that act to create a better environment, manufacture products that increase environmental quality, conserve resources, and establish processes that improve the environment, including education and business operations.

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Friday, May 18, 2012

National Safe Boating Week Launches May 19


The National Safe Boating Council is kicking off National Safe Boating Week, May 19-25. Boating safety partners across the U.S. and Canada are teaming up to promote safe and responsible boating, including voluntary wear of life jackets.

Support National Safe Boating Week by participating in "Ready, Set, Wear It!" on May 19. Participants in cities around the globe will gather to set a world record for the most life jackets worn and inflatable life jackets inflated. Last year, 1,685 people participated in this world record event. Visit ReadySetWearIt.com for more information.

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Thursday, May 10, 2012

Office Space available at Shilshole Bay Marina


Shilshole Bay Marina has an 887 square foot office space available for lease. This suite is located on the east facing side of a new building and is move-in ready with an option for tenant improvements. Close to Golden Gardens Park and across the street from the Burke Gilman Trail makes this a great location for many types of
businesses. Moorage options at Shilshole Bay Marina also available.

For more information, click here.

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Friday, May 04, 2012

No veto of Recreation Resource Account raid

Unfortunately, Governor Gregoire did not cross out ("line item") the section of the Operating Budget that took $3.3 million from the Recreation Resource Account. As you know, we (as a boating coalition) wer eadamantly  opposed to this raid.

While she didn't veto this section, she made it quite clear that this raid concerned her.
Quoting from the Governor's veto letter:

"I am not vetoing Section 307, which transfers $3.3 million of the Department of Fish and Wildlife's enforcement expenses from the State General Fund to the Recreation Resources (sic) Account. However, I do have concerns about the provision of the bill. A veto would not restore teh $3.3 million General Fund reduction and would result in the elimination of 30 enforcement officer positions. The Department cannot effectively enforce state fish and wildlife regulations with a reduction of this magntitude. The Recreation Resources (sic) Account provides grants for local boating projects across the state. The Legislature should reconsider this transfer next session."

If there's more to come here, you can find that news here.

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BBQ to celebrate Opening Day

If you find yourself near the NMTA office today between 11:00-13:00, stop by the BBQ that Fisheries Supply is hosting to celebrate tomorrow's Opening Day.

1900 N Northlake Way
Seattle, WA  98103

To find out more info on the Opening Day festivities, you can visit our friends (and NMTA member) at the Seattle Yacht Club's site: http://tinyurl.com/28nhylo

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Tuesday, May 01, 2012

Update on Recreation Resource Account

By now, you may have seen the spot on KOMO as well as the article in Three Sheets NW that encourages Governor Gregoire to vetoes the part of the budget that diverts the $3.3 from the Recreation Resource Account. You will be happy to know that she is paying attention and has met recently with the boating community to learn more.

Time will tell whether she lines out this part, but the increased collaboation and coordination amongest recreational boating stakeholders is certainly a bright spot in this prolonged struggle to save the money that goes for launch ramps, mooring buoys and marina bathrooms.





If you have not done so yet, it's too late to weigh in. Please send the Governors Office a respectful message to SINK the RAID on the Boaters Recreation Resources Account! Info below on who to send your e-mails to. Help us Help you - Support Boating in Washington! (Be nice in your e-mails, nasty remarks will not further our cause)

Action Alert can be found here:
http://www.votervoice.net/Groups/NMTA/Advocacy/?IssueID=27986&SiteID=-1

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