April 10, 2008: Kaptur Heralds Homeland Security's Relaxation of Requirements for Charter Boats
April 10, 2008
The Department of Homeland Security has relaxed a policy that would have required recreational and commercial boaters report to U.S. Customs after every trip in which they crossed the international boundary in the middle of Lake Erie.
“I am pleased that the department has found the right balance between security concerns and fishing boats,” said Congresswoman Kaptur, who had written to the Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff and also pressed the matter with U.S. Rep. Benny Thompson (D-Miss.), chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee.
Kaptur applauded members of the Lake Erie Charter Boat Association, which brought the onerous new rules to her attention during a March 20 meeting in Port Clinton. “I appreciate the involvement of the charter boat operators,” Kaptur said. “They are important players in our regional economy and the new rules would have impacted their businesses. We are ever mindful of the security concerns that accompany living on the border and we are also attentive to the needs of our small businesses that make a living on the lake.”
In her letter to Secretary Chertoff, Congresswoman Kaptur said the new policies had “the potential to harm our seasonal tourism industry” and urged him to streamline the regulations as quickly as possible.
Charter boat captains also welcomed the news that the department had relaxed the proposed new regulations.
“I am pleased that the department has found the right balance between security concerns and fishing boats,” said Congresswoman Kaptur, who had written to the Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff and also pressed the matter with U.S. Rep. Benny Thompson (D-Miss.), chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee.
Kaptur applauded members of the Lake Erie Charter Boat Association, which brought the onerous new rules to her attention during a March 20 meeting in Port Clinton. “I appreciate the involvement of the charter boat operators,” Kaptur said. “They are important players in our regional economy and the new rules would have impacted their businesses. We are ever mindful of the security concerns that accompany living on the border and we are also attentive to the needs of our small businesses that make a living on the lake.”
In her letter to Secretary Chertoff, Congresswoman Kaptur said the new policies had “the potential to harm our seasonal tourism industry” and urged him to streamline the regulations as quickly as possible.
Charter boat captains also welcomed the news that the department had relaxed the proposed new regulations.