The Marine Retailers Association of the Americas has called marine retailers to action by asking them to contact the U.S. Environmental Protections Agency in strong support of its recent action to reduce the Congressional mandate on the renewable fuel standard (RFS) for corn-based ethanol, for 2014 to 2013 levels.

For the past couple of years, MRAA has been working with other key trade associations to repeal the renewable fuel standard, especially for destructive corn-based ethanol. Many conversations with Members of Congress and their staff have been had by the MRAA board, MRAA members, and MRAA staff; and many letters have been sent to Congress, the White House and the EPA, expressing MRAA’s deep concern of the effects of corn-based ethanol on boater safety and the high repair cost of damage to marine engines, outboard motors and fuel systems. MRAA members are fully aware of the damage blend levels higher than E10 create, such as engine stalling and flammable leaks into bilges, damage to engine valves, fuel lines, tanks and other component parts of the fuel system.

As a reminder, the EPA recently indicated it would reduce the RFS volume level for 2014 to 2013 standards. By doing so, the EPA would maintain a blend level supporting E10 for 2014 rather than the anticipated E15. It is a normal process in the federal government for an agency to issue a proposed rule to support the proposed decision before it becomes law. A public comment period Is part of that process. MRAA anticipates the ethanol industry will organize corn producers and ethanol refiners to overwhelm the EPA with letters in strong opposition of its decision. Marine retailers must respond in-kind.

MRAA asks marine retailers to go to this web site and comment in support of the EPA proposal. Sample comments are provided on this site. Comments are due by January 28, 2014. The identifying EPA docket number, which must be included in your comments, is EPA-HQ-OAR-2013-0479.

Please contact MRAA, if you need further explanation or assistance in preparing your letter.

H.R. 3080 and S. 601, the Water Resources Reform and Development Acts have passed the House and Senate and now reside in a conference committee to negotiate the differences between the two bills. The conference committee has met and several Members of Congress expect a final resolution to be made in January.

The Corps has generally placed a high priority on commercial business activities and fails to recognize recreational boating as part of commerce, but we all know what a critical component the recreational maritime industry has on our economy.

MRAA has long worked with Congress and the Corps to open the Harbor Maintenance Fund for this kind of dredging. As passed through the House, WRRDA would authorize some of the Harbor Maintenance Fund to smaller recreational harbors as well as increase spending targets for the fund from $7 million to $10 million for a single facility.

MRAA is considering support of H.R. 2795, the Marina Operator Tax Obligation Act introduced by Representative Doug Collins (R-Georgia) on July 23, 2013. The bill has one co-sponsor, Representative Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas), and has been referred to the Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment. No action has yet been scheduled by the Subcommittee.

The bill would prohibit the Secretary of the Army from imposing a special fee under a lease entered into with a concessionaire for the use of Army-controlled real property at a water resources development project if 1.) the lease is for the operation of a facility making restaurant, gasoline, or marine engine sales in connection with a marina, and 2.) the fee exceed 1 percent of the facility’s gross revenues.

Two marinas were forced to close on Lake Lanier in Georgia due the Army Corps imposed fee on their operations. Lake Lanier is a popular recreation spot for boaters and anglers and is managed by the Army Corps of Engineers. MRAA’s support of H.R. 2795 would help eliminate such situations.

Representative Earl Blumenauer (D-Oregon) introduced H.R. 3636, the Update, Promote and Develop America’s Transportation Essential Act on December 3, 2013. The committee, commonly referred to as the Committee of Ways and Means, has no cosponsors. The bill would increase the federal excise tax on gasoline to 33.3 cents per gallon after 2015, and before 2025 diesel fuel could raise to 39.3 cents per gallon. MRAA is lobbying in opposition to H.R. 3636 — a federal gas or diesel tax increase.

Calling for a multi-layered approach to protect the health of the Great Lakes, Representative Miller (R-Michigan) thanked the Army Corps of Engineers for their recent study on how to manage invasive species in the Great Lakes, and expressed her concern about the lack of call to immediate action to protect the Great Lakes from the threat of Asian Carp. She said the only real solution to stop Asian carp from coming into the Great Lakes is the complete separation of the Great Lakes from the Mississippi River.

Asian carp threatens to destroy a $7 billion Great Lakes fishing industry. In addition, the Great Lakes industry supports billions of dollars in shipping and recreation activities that describe the true nature of the Great Lakes region. Rep. Miller is calling for the complete sealing of the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal, which link Lake Michigan to the Illinois River.

Several years ago the Corps constructed three electric barriers on the Canal and asked for a collegiate study of ways to stop the invasion of Asian carp into the Great Lakes. MRAA supported this action by the Corps. In addition, many marinas and marine retailers exist along the canal or at the upper reaches of the Illinois River to serve boaters in the Chicago area.

MRAA is reviewing a Discussion Draft of the important Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, which provides flexibility to fishery managers and stability for anglers. The Discussion Draft was issued by the House Natural resources Committee. MRAA expects the Committee will introduce the bill in the next several months. Magnuson-Stevens sets fishing plans to re-stock fish and examines the environmental conditions of the nation’s waters and its effect of fish stock by limiting fishing activities.

The draft bill would provide guidance to State, Council and Marine Fisheries Commission fish management plans by allowing a phase-in rebuilding plan over a 3-year period to lessen the economic impacts to fishing communities. It sets general controls for data collection of stock surveys and stock assessments to ensure consistent fisheries management. The draft bill allows local fishing councils to set catch limit requirements based on changes to an ecosystem and the economic needs of the fishing communities within the management measures under the international agreements the U.S. participates.

Magnuson-Stevens is a very important bill for anglers and fish managers. MRAA will closely review the bill and its potential impact on marine retailers.

In an expected notice published on January 2, 2014, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration informed the public of its intent to make significant changes to nautical chart printing and distribution. The notice indicated that NOAA wants to expand navigation products and adjust its role in the production of nautical charts necessary for safe navigation.

NOAA is privatizing the printing of nautical charts. After April 13, 2014, NOAA-certified Print-on-Demand paper charts will be available through marine retailers. NOAA is also making nautical chart information available digitally at marine retailer facilities or by downloading charts at www.nauticalcharts.noaa.gov/pdfcharts.

An online viewing of electronic nautical charts is also available at www.nauticalcharts.noaa.gov/ENCOnline/.

Learn more about becoming a NOAA chart provider at www.nauticalcarts.noaa.gov/pod/PODpartner.htm.