IJC IGNORES BOATERS AGAIN It was only one boating season ago that the International Joint Commission (IJC), a bi-national agency entrusted to provide adequate water level to all its users of the Great Lakes, began a mission to appoint a Public Interest Advisory Group (PIAG) to "assist the Study Board" in order to make "sure that the views of the public are given due consideration." 2008-05-05

BALLAST TANK DECISION COULD DOOM BOATING A rash decision made recently by a district court in California will allow the federal government to intrude even further to complicate and control the activities of recreational boaters throughout the United States. These new regulations and restrictions could go into effect as soon as September, unless immediate Congressional action is taken to stop it. 2008-04-08

BUSH BASHES BOATING President Bush is at it again with his unforgivable disregard for the Great Lakes, a body that represents 20 percent of the world’s freshwater. After vetoing the Water Resource and Development Act (WRDA) of 2007—a veto overrode by Congress—he has now proposed a budget for fiscal year 2009 that would jeopardize the welfare of the Great Lakes. 2008-02-21

Recreational Boating a Key Constituent at Great Lakes Roundtable The Great Lakes Regional Constituent Roundtable, a VIP high-level meeting and reception with National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) leadership, was held on September 8, 2007, in Chicago. The stakeholder roundtable was a part of a larger NOAA event at the John G. Shedd Aquarium celebrating NOAA’s 200th Anniversary. F. Ned Dikmen, chairman of the Great Lakes Boating Federation and publisher of Great Lakes Boating Magazine, was invited to represent the recreational boating sector at this prestigious gathering of Great Lakes leaders. 2007-09-14

International Joint Commision Shuts Out Boaters By F. Ned Dikmen, Chairman, Great Lakes Boating Federation Of the 25 million people who use the Great Lakes, it is estimated that six million are boaters. According to the International Joint Commission (IJC), however, they don’t deserve to have their voices heard. 2007-08-10

Recreational Boaters Need Congress to Defend Great Lakes The introduction of invasive species into the Great Lakes from other parts of the world through the discharge of ballast water from ocean going vessels is the most critical threat to the health of the Great Lakes today. Recreational boaters, who are hurt the most by invasive species, demand that action be taken by Congress to once and for all stop these introductions from ocean going vessels. 2007-06-28

Boaters' Voice Should be Heard on IJC Panel The Great Lakes Boating Federation, the advocacy voice for the nearly 4.3 million boaters on the Great Lakes, applauds the International Joint Commission (IJC) for launching earlier this year the International Upper Great Lakes Study. 2007-06-07

The Great Lakes' Future Relies on Recreational Boating The Great Lakes Boating Federation, the advocacy voice for the nearly 4.3 million boaters on the Great Lakes, applauds the City Council of Waukegan, Illinois, for unanimously voting to convert its lakefront from an antiquated fixture of old industry into a hub of public access and a haven for leisure activities. 2007-06-07

Protecting the Interests of Boaters The Great Lake Boating Federation has begun the important work of giving voice to the 4.3 boaters who recreate on our waters and contribute billions of dollars to lakes-state economies. 2007-04-13

GLBF goes all out for the entire marine industry The Great Lakes Boating Federation is heading to a federal appeals court to protect recreational boaters across the country and the nation’s beleaguered boating industry. The U.S. District Court in the Northern District of California recently vacated 40 C.F.R. § 122.3(a)., a U.S. EPA regulation that exempted incidental discharges from vessels from being regulated by U.S. EPA’s pollution permit (NPDES) program. 2007-02-16