John Therriault, Assistant Clerk
Illinois Pollution Control Board
100 West Randolph Street, Suite 11-500
Chicago, Illinois 60601
RE: Rule Making
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® National Marine
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Manufacturers Association
June 13, 2008
Dear Illinois Pollution Control Board:
RECEIVED
CLERK'S OFFICE
JUN 1 3 2008
STATE OF ILLINOIS
Pollution Control Board
The National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA), the nation's leading recreational marine industry trade
association—which is based in Chicago—is pleased to provide this letter expressing support the Control Board's
long overdue efforts to enhance the water quality of the Chicago River and area waterways. Specifically, NMMA
supports recommended water quality improvements proposed by the Illinois EPA for the Chicago Area
Waterways (CAWS) and Lower Des Plaines River in Rulemaking R08-009 that would improve the health of
aquatic life and enhance recreational opportunities through the disinfection of wastewater treatment plant effluent
and temperature control standards.
NMMA represents nearly 1,700 boat builders, engine manufacturers, and marine accessory manufacturers who
collectively produce more than 80 percent of all recreational marine products made in the United States. In the
Chicago area, there are approximately 28,546 registered recreational boats. Chicago area boaters spend
approximately $110 million on recreational marine products, services and boating trip spending each year during
more than 587,000 total days spent boating. Clearly, recreational boating is of major economic significance in the
Chicago area and initiatives to make boating more accessible and enjoyable should be pursued.
Recreational boating and fishing are valuable American traditions that bring important economic benefits to
waterfront communities—and clean, healthy waterways are vital to these pursuits. NMMA recognizes that the
Chicago Area Waterways have improved significantly through the leadership of agencies like the Metropolitan
Water Reclamation District. Public access has expanded to due local government initiatives. The City of Chicago,
the Chicago Park District, and suburbs have poured millions into river access for paddling, fishing, and crew.
And so much work has been done to improve habitat and control pollution that in the Chicago River system,
species of fish have climbed from under 10 to nearly 70, including game fish favorites like large mouth bass and
yellow perch.
The IPCB has an opportunity to continue this forward progress by requiring the disinfection of wastewater in
particular, and NMMA is pleased to support this important initiative to upgrade the river system.
Sincerely,
Mathew P. Dunn
Manager, Natural Resources & Economic Policy
Executive Committee
Chairman, NMMA
Chuck Rowe
roamer Products, inc.
Vice Chairman, NMMA?
Treasurer, NMMA
?
BMD Representative?
AMD Rearesentativlive
David Shirkers?
Rick Russell? J.J. Marie?
Jason Pajonk
Tiara Yachts
?
Anderson Marine Division Zodiac al North America ?
Taylor Made Products
Secretary, NMMA?
Member At-Large?
EMD Representative
?
President
Kris Carroll
?
George Beilwoar?Jim Hubbard?
Thomas J. DammrIch
Grady-White Boats
?
PERKO, Inc.? Merely), Marine
?
NMMA