Posted: June 18, 2008

EPA proposes permit system for vessel discharges


On June 16, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced that it is proposing two general permits under the Clean Water Act to cover discharges in the normal course of operating commercial and recreational vessels. The agency estimates that as many as 91,000 commercial vessels and 13 million recreational boats could be affected.

As a result of a court ruling currently under appeal, vessel owners or operators whose discharges have previously been exempt from Clean Water Act requirements for the last 35 years will require a permit as of Sept. 30, 2008, according to the EPA.

According to the EPA:

The "commercial and large recreational vessel general permit" (VGP) would cover all commercial vessels and recreational vessels 79 feet or longer. For vessels that carry ballast water, it would incorporate Coast Guard mandatory ballast water management and exchange standards, and include supplemental ballast water requirements. The VGP would provide technology-based and water-quality-based effluent limits for other types of discharges, including deck runoff, bilge water, gray water and others. The permit also establishes specific corrective actions, inspections and monitoring requirements, as well as recordkeeping and reporting requirements. Only a subset of the vessels potentially affected by this permit will be required to submit a "Notice of Intent" for coverage. For all the other vessels, coverage would be automatic.

The permit for smaller recreational vessels measuring less than 79 feet in length contains more simple provisions, which would require these vessels to comply with new and established best management practices. In addition, these smaller vessels would not be required to submit a "Notice of Intent" for coverage under the permit.

The EPA is inviting comments on both proposed permits for a period of 45 days. For more information, contact Latisha Petteway by phone at (202) 564-4355 or by .

The EPA will be holding public meetings and a hearing on the proposed permits on the following schedule:
June 19 - Washington, D.C. (meeting)
June 24 - Portland, Ore. (meeting)
June 26 - Chicago, Ill. (meeting)
July 2 - public Web cast (meeting)
July 21 - Washington, D.C. (hearing)