Given that summers in Rochester fly by so quickly, it’s too bad that the federal government can’t cut beachgoers a break.

It would seem simple enough. Sen. Chuck Schumer wants the Environmental Protection Agency to speed up a process that would ban all waste discharges from boats in Lake Ontario.

Such a ban isn’t going to solve all the water quality problems that plague the lake each year and force beaches to shut down. But disallowing boat discharges would help.

Right now, it’s illegal to discharge untreated waste from on-board toilets into the lake and other waters. But there’s no prohibition on discharging waste that’s been chemically treated. The state Department of Environmental Conservation has filed a petition to eliminate such discharges.

If the EPA agreed, the ban could go into effect immediately, as there are already 37 pump-out stations on the New York side of Lake Ontario, including nine in Monroe County. Boaters would use those stations to empty wastes from their vessels’ holding tanks.

Typically, the discharges happen where boaters gather together, often close to shorelines where they can jump in to cool off.

Instead of acting quickly on the state’s request, the EPA has outlined a process that’s scheduled to wrap up in the fall. Wait too long and the beaches will be closed to swimming.

One bright note is that Judith Enck, regional administrator for the EPA, says a decision is expected “soon.” What exactly that means isn’t clear.

Enck needs to do her part to help keep Ontario beaches open as much as possible this short summer season.

via Ban boat discharges from lake | Democrat and Chronicle | democratandchronicle.com.