SACRAMENTO -- Assemblyman Ted Lieu (D-Torrance), author of Assembly Bill 166 -- legislation designed to assist boat owners in disposing of older vessels in a legal and environmentally friendly manner -- is urging boaters to send letters and e-mails to Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, encouraging him to sign the bill into law as soon as possible.

Disposal Alternatives – California Assembly Bill 166 would give boat owners a legal alternative to dispose of old vessels in an environmentally safe method, rather than abandoning them in local waterways. The governor has until Oct. 12 to sign or veto the bill.

The bill was passed by the California State Senate Sept. 4 and by the Assembly on Sept. 9 -- and the governor has until Oct. 12 to sign or veto the legislation. (However, if he does not veto the measure, the bill would automatically become law after that date -- with or without his signature.)

If it becomes law, AB 166 would double the minimum penalty to $1,000 for boat owners who intentionally abandon their vessels -- and it offers a free alternative for those who wish to legally dispose of boats.

AB 166 would permit boat owners to dispose of vessels at no cost by contacting a local government agency. The agency would then call a contractor to take on the job of vessel disposal.

The contractor would bill a state fund for the actual cost of disposing of the boat -- preventing the vessel from being abandoned and becoming a costly-to-remove hazard to navigation. Aside from posing navigational hazards, abandoned vessels can emit seeping toxins, such as fuel and oil that can pollute the environment.

The Assembly bill is supported by California’s State Sheriff’s Association, the California Association of Harbor Masters and Port Captains, the California Marine Parks and Harbors Association, the California Yacht Brokers Association, the Marina Recreation Association, the Northern California Marine Association, San Francisco Baykeeper and the Western Boaters Safety Group.

Write Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, State Capitol Building, Sacramento, CA 95814; phone (916) 445-2841; fax (916) 558-3160; or e-mail by visiting gov.ca.gov/interact.