T&T: Endangered species ( was Insurance (Additionally Insured

[Bob Austin]

Although I am opposed to outlawing copper bottom paints--isn't that just for
parts of San Diego Bay currently--and isn't it being phased in over a peroid
of time?  Are ablative bottom paints required to be totally removed?

As I understand the situation is that a 2 year study is underway to see what
the effect will be by the department of Pest Regulation. This involves water
sampling at 24 marinas. That a total Maximum Daily load has been established
for Shelter Island Yacht Basin, That IF DPR and US EPA don't take action, the
state Water Board MAY ban copper bottom paints statewide.   That the new
program is phased in over 17 years.  The Navy may have a say; since they use
copper bottom paint.  That the major problem is due to boats sitting in their
slips--not being used.   Again, I think that reason must prevail.  (and
another example of why I left the "Golden State").

There is no question in studies I have seen, that copper levels are higher in
marinas--and that there is some supression of the natural benthos by that
copper.  I am not entirely sure of how this plays out in the entire
ecosystem.

"The good old days when only the rich could afford a boat?"  I recently came
across a photo taken about 1910 of my grandfather's boat (a 30 foot converted
meat/fishing cutter--exact sister ship to "Butcher Boy I-in the San Diego
Maritime museum) and an un-named 40 foot schooner as the only vessels at the
Isthmus at Catalina Island.  I can assure you that my grandfather was not a
"rich" man, but he loved his boat!   There always have been people who found
ways to get on the water, rich or poor.  I see our way of life as boaters far
more threatened by developers and loss of marinas than by bottom paint
changes.

Bob Austin