[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 227 (Friday, November 26, 2010)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 72655-72660]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-29416]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

15 CFR Part 922

[Docket No. 090122044-0403-02]
RIN 0648-AX58


Marine Sanitation Device Discharge Regulations for the Florida 
Keys National Marine Sanctuary

AGENCY: Office of National Marine Sanctuaries (ONMS), National Oceanic 
and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Department of Commerce (DOC).

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: NOAA is amending the regulations for the Florida Keys National 
Marine Sanctuary (FKNMS or sanctuary) by eliminating the exemption that 
allows discharges from within the boundary of the sanctuary of 
biodegradable effluent incidental to vessel use and generated by marine 
sanitation devices (MSDs) approved under the Clean Water Act (CWA), and 
by requiring that MSDs be secured to prevent discharges of treated and 
untreated sewage. This action builds upon the Environmental Protection 
Agency's creation of a No Discharge Zone (NDZ) for the state waters of 
the FKNMS, and will help protect the Florida Keys ecosystem from 
potentially harmful vessel sewage discharges. An environmental 
assessment has been prepared for this action pursuant to the National 
Environmental Policy Act. The environmental assessment includes a 
Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) regarding the impacts of this 
rulemaking.

DATES: These regulations are effective on December 27, 2010.

ADDRESSES: A copy of the environmental assessment, which includes the 
FONSI, described in this rule is available upon request to Sean Morton, 
Sanctuary Superintendent, Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary, 33 
East Quay Road, Key West, Florida 33040. It is also available for 
viewing and download at http://floridakeys.noaa.gov/.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Sean Morton, Sanctuary Superintendent, 
Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary, 33 East Quay Road, Key West, 
Florida 33040. Phone: 305-809-4700.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Electronic Access

    This Federal Register document is also accessible via the Internet 
at http://www.gpoaccess.gov/fr/index.html.

I. Statutory and Regulatory Background

    The National Marine Sanctuaries Act (NMSA) (16 U.S.C. 1431 et seq.) 
authorizes the Secretary of Commerce to designate and protect as 
national marine sanctuaries areas of the marine environment with 
special national significance due to their conservation, recreational, 
ecological, historical, scientific, cultural, archeological, 
educational, or esthetic qualities. Management of national marine 
sanctuaries has been delegated by the Secretary of Commerce to NOAA's 
Office of National Marine Sanctuaries. The primary objective of the 
NMSA is to protect marine resources, such as coral reefs, sunken 
historical vessels, or unique habitats.
    The FKNMS was designated by Congress in 1990 through the Florida 
Keys National Marine Sanctuary Protection Act (FKNMSPA, Pub. L. 101-
605) and extends approximately 220 nautical miles southwest from the 
southern tip of the Florida peninsula. The sanctuary's marine ecosystem 
supports over 6,000 species of plants, fishes and invertebrates, 
including the Nation's only living coral reef that lies adjacent to the 
continent. The area includes one of the largest seagrass

[[Page 72656]]

communities in this hemisphere. The primary goal of the sanctuary is to 
protect the marine resources of the Florida Keys.
    Other goals of the sanctuary include facilitating human uses that 
are consistent with the primary objective of resource protection, as 
well as educating the public about the Florida Keys marine environment. 
Attracted by this subtropical diversity, tourists spend more than 
thirteen million visitor days in the Florida Keys each year. In 
addition, the region's natural and man-made resources provide 
recreation and livelihoods for approximately 80,000 residents. The 
region also has some of the most significant maritime heritage and 
historical resources of any coastal community in the nation.
    NOAA issued final regulations and a final management plan in 1997 
for the FKNMS (62 FR 32161; June 12, 1997). Those regulations were 
designed to protect the fragile and nationally significant marine 
resources of the Florida Keys ecosystem. In doing so, these regulations 
established a series of fully protected marine zones, managed certain 
human activities, and established a permitting system for allowing some 
activities that would otherwise be prohibited. Sanctuary-wide 
prohibitions include restrictions on discharges into the sanctuary, 
disturbing the seafloor of the sanctuary, and taking certain marine 
species.
    FKNMS regulations currently include a prohibition on discharging or 
depositing materials or other matter within the boundary of the 
sanctuary (15 CFR 922.163(a)(4)). Exceptions include discharging or 
depositing: (1) Fish, fish parts, chumming materials, or bait during 
traditional fishing operations in the sanctuary; (2) vessel cooling 
water or engine exhaust; (3) water generated by routine vessel 
operations (e.g., deck wash and graywater), excluding oily wastes from 
bilge pumping; and (4) biodegradable effluent from approved MSDs 
incidental to vessel use. In certain protected zones, including 
Ecological Reserves, Sanctuary Preservation Areas and Research-only 
Areas, only discharges of engine exhaust and cooling water are allowed. 
The State of Florida, local municipalities (e.g., City of Key West, 
City of Marathon), U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), National 
Park Service and U.S. Coast Guard also regulate MSDs and vessel 
discharges within the Florida Keys region. In addition, several 
private, state, local and Federal entities provide or support numerous 
pump-out stations throughout the Florida Keys to assist vessel 
operators in complying with these regulations.
    Section 312 of the CWA (33 U.S.C. 1322 et seq.) gives the EPA and 
the states the authority to designate NDZs in state waters. An NDZ is 
an area of a waterbody or an entire waterbody into which the discharge 
of treated and untreated sewage from all vessels is completely 
prohibited. NDZs provide an additional management tool to address water 
quality issues associated with sewage contamination.

II. Historical Context

    Several past actions have been taken at both the Federal and state 
levels to address longstanding water quality concerns in the Florida 
Keys. Under state law, all counties and municipalities throughout the 
State of Florida are required to develop and adopt a comprehensive plan 
that addresses ``principles, guidelines, and standards for the orderly 
and balanced future economic, social, physical, environmental, and 
fiscal development of the area'' (Florida Statutes Section 163.3177). 
In response, the Monroe County Comprehensive Plan includes several 
objectives geared toward improving and protecting water quality from 
vessel discharges. In 1999, the Board of County Commissioners of Monroe 
County adopted a resolution requesting that the Governor of the State 
of Florida petition the EPA to declare all state waters within the 
boundaries of the FKNMS to be a NDZ for all vessels. Monroe County 
believed that this action would be a major step in protecting water 
quality around the Florida Keys and especially those areas where there 
is a high concentration of vessels. The Governor of the State of 
Florida supported Monroe County's decision and in December 2000 
submitted the county's request to EPA Region 4, asking EPA to designate 
all state waters within the boundary of the FKNMS as a NDZ under the 
authority of section 312(f)(4)(a) of the CWA.
    In 2001, the EPA issued a proposed rule to designate the state 
waters of the FKNMS an NDZ pursuant to section 312(f)(4)(a) of the CWA 
(66 FR 38967; July 26, 2001). A 90-day public comment period followed 
(ending October 26, 2001), during which time EPA received 1,050 
comments. There was overwhelming support for establishing the NDZ. The 
EPA's final rule (effective June 19, 2002) prohibits all sewage 
discharges from vessels in state waters of the FKNMS (67 FR 35735; May 
21, 2002).
    Both the resolution passed by the Board of County Commissioners of 
Monroe County and a resolution passed by the FKNMS Water Quality 
Protection Program Steering Committee on October 27, 1999, requested 
that NOAA establish regulations for no discharge from MSDs for the 
entire sanctuary. This was necessary because the EPA's action under the 
CWA was limited to state waters of the FKNMS. The EPA's final rule also 
recognized NOAA's intention to expand the prohibition on sewage 
discharges from vessels into the Federal waters of the sanctuary.
    In December 2007, NOAA issued a revised management plan for the 
FKNMS that included a water quality action plan and regulatory action 
plan. The revised management plan is the culmination of an extensive 
public process. The strategies in the water quality action plan address 
sources of pollution, priority corrective actions and compliance 
schedules. The strategies seek to maintain and improve the balance 
between the indigenous population of corals, shellfish, fish and 
wildlife, and the recreation in and on the water. In particular, water 
quality Strategy L.1 identified the need to eliminate the discharge of 
wastewater, whether treated or not, from all vessels into sanctuary 
waters. The regulatory action plan identified the establishment of 
sanctuary-wide prohibitions on sewage discharge as a management 
priority.
    On November 16, 2009, NOAA published a proposed rule (74 FR 58923) 
for this action and requested comments. NOAA's responses to the 
comments received during the subsequent public comment period are in 
Section V of the preamble in this final rule.

III. Summary of Rulemaking

    This rulemaking eliminates the exemption that allows discharges of 
biodegradable effluent incidental to vessel use and generated by MSDs 
approved under the CWA. It also adds a new requirement that MSDs be 
secured in a manner that prevents discharges or deposits of treated and 
untreated sewage while within the boundaries of the FKNMS. Although the 
FKNMS regulations, as revised by this action, do not specify precisely 
how vessel operators should secure their MSDs, they state that all 
methods listed in Coast Guard regulations are among those that are 
acceptable for this purpose.
    The Coast Guard regulations (at 33 CFR 159.7(b)) list the following 
as acceptable methods of securing Type I or Type II MSDs:
    <bullet> Closing the seacock and removing the handle;

[[Page 72657]]

    <bullet> Padlocking the seacock in the closed position;
    <bullet> Using a non-releasable wire-tie to hold the seacock in the 
closed position; or
    <bullet> Locking the door to the space enclosing the toilets with a 
padlock or door handle key lock.
    Coast Guard regulations (at 33 CFR 159.7(c)) list the following as 
acceptable methods of securing Type III MSDs:
    <bullet> Closing each valve leading to an overboard discharge and 
removing the handle;
    <bullet> Padlocking each valve leading to an overboard discharge in 
the closed position; or
    <bullet> Using a non-releasable wire-tie to hold each valve leading 
to an overboard discharge in the closed position.

IV. Justification

    A major challenge to scientists and managers working in the Florida 
Keys and elsewhere is being able to differentiate the natural 
variability of ecosystems from human-caused disturbances. Signs of 
ecosystem stress in the Florida Keys include loss of coral cover and 
diversity, particularly at offshore bank reefs; increasing nitrogen and 
phosphorus concentrations in the near shore waters; decreased water 
clarity; and changes in the natural benthic community composition. 
Comprehensive monitoring of coral reef resources was initiated in 1996 
because of the observed but poorly quantified loss of coral cover 
throughout the Florida Keys, and has documented a 37% reduction in 
stony coral coverage between 1996 and 2000. Habitat and water quality 
degradation in canals and other semi-confined waters within the Florida 
Keys has been measured and is related to human population density.
    There are many variables to consider in assessing the impacts of 
MSD discharges from vessels transiting Florida Keys waters, including 
the volume of discharge, level of treatment, number of vessels, depth 
and distance from shore or other sources of pollution, current 
patterns, and habitat type at the discharge point. The dilution of 
wastewater from a single vessel transiting the Florida Keys may not 
cause serious ecological problems and may not be detectable within a 
short distance from the point of discharge. However, the cumulative 
impact from many transiting vessels could be significant, particularly 
where discharges take place in close proximity to coral reef or 
seagrass habitats (see environmental assessment for citations).
    Recent data show a continued upward trend in the number of 
registered vessels in southern Florida, which would suggest an 
increased potential of transient visits to the Florida Keys and 
discharges in the FKNMS. Furthermore, there is an area of Federal water 
south of Key West (called ``the hour glass'') that effectively 
concentrates the potential discharge activity of vessel operators. This 
area and all other areas of the FKNMS are directly upstream of 
biological resources that are negatively impacted by increased 
nutrients. In considering the ever-increasing boating population and 
its discharge potential in south Florida, continuing to allow MSD 
discharges in the Federal waters of the sanctuary is not compatible 
with long-term marine ecosystem protection strategies. Also, as a 
practical matter, allowing vessels to discharge sewage in Federal 
waters within the FKNMS while prohibiting discharges in state waters 
could lead to confusion among vessel operators and enforcement 
problems. Thus, to better protect sanctuary resources, eliminate 
possible confusion among vessel operators, and facilitate enforcement 
efforts, FKNMS is eliminating all discharges of treated and untreated 
sewage from all vessels in the entire sanctuary.

V. Response to Comments

    The comments received on the proposed rule that was published on 
November 16, 2009 (74 FR 58923) are summarized below, together with 
responses from NOAA. There were 18 distinct submissions from 
individuals or organizations, an additional 1,396 submissions generated 
by form letters, and one submission from a Federal agency. The changes 
to the rule that resulted from the comments received are summarized in 
the next section of this preamble (VI. Summary of Changes From the 
Proposed Rule).

Public Submissions

    1. Comment: The proposed rule should be implemented for several 
reasons, including: to mitigate one of multiple stressors on coral 
reefs; pollution is harmful and not solved by dilution; and MSDs do not 
remove all viruses and excess nutrients that can be harmful. NOAA 
should expeditiously adopt and actively enforce the proposed rule.
    Response: NOAA agrees there are multiple stressors on the 
ecosystems in the Florida Keys, one of which could be mitigated by 
prohibiting the discharge of treated and untreated sewage into FKNMS 
waters. Though Type I and Type II MSDs can reduce the viral and 
nutrient content of sewage, NOAA believes pumping out at approved 
facilities, rather than discharging into the sanctuary, is less harmful 
to the habitats and species in the FKNMS.
    2. Comment: Expanding the existing NDZ from state to Federal waters 
is appropriate and is consistent with the Florida Coastal Management 
Program.
    Response: NDZs only apply in state waters per the Clean Water Act. 
However, NOAA believes having similar MSD discharge regulations apply 
throughout all FKNMS waters (i.e., both state and Federal) will improve 
enforceability of such regulations. Further, this should reduce 
confusion among FKNMS visitors/users, build on the strong partnership 
between NOAA and the State of Florida in managing the FKNMS and, 
overall, enhance the protections afforded to FKNMS resources.
    3. Comment: NOAA should support the installation of land- and 
vessel-based pump-out facilities, and continue to educate the public 
about the availability and importance of using these facilities.
    Response: NOAA agrees installation of land- and vessel-based pump-
out facilities and education are important components of increasing 
compliance with the proposed rule. To this end, NOAA will work with the 
appropriate state and Federal entities to support installation of 
adequate pump-out facilities. In addition, NOAA will provide 
information to the public about these facilities. These measures should 
help encourage vessel operators to reduce pollution to the FKNMS from 
vessels' sewage discharges.
    4. Comment: The proposed rule should be implemented, but NOAA 
should also consider banning harmful vessel graywater discharges, 
especially from large cruise and cargo vessels.
    Response: NOAA agrees graywater discharges may be harmful to the 
ecosystem, particularly in large volumes in sensitive habitats. 
However, this rulemaking implements a recommendation from the 2007 
Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary Revised Management Plan that was 
specific to discharges of sewage from vessels. Additional water quality 
regulation may be considered in future FKNMS management plan reviews.
    5. Comment: The proposed rule should be implemented, but 
enforceability of tracking discharges from and locking of MSDs raises 
concerns. NOAA should include an enforcement component in the final 
rule that considers such issues as regular patrols in the FKNMS, 
proactive boarding/inspection of vessels, standards for acceptable 
types of MSD locks, and consequences of noncompliance.

[[Page 72658]]

    Response: NOAA agrees adequate enforcement will be necessary to 
help make the rule more effective, especially given the size of the 
FKNMS and the number of vessels that use the FKNMS. Therefore, NOAA has 
included language related to enforcement in the preamble to the final 
rule to facilitate understanding of the requirements of this rule, 
enhance enforceability, and encourage compliance. Specifically, NOAA 
has included acceptable methods, as described in 33 CFR 159.7(b) and 
(c), for securing MSDs in a manner that prevents discharges or deposits 
of treated and untreated sewage into FKNMS waters. In addition, 
language has been included in the environmental assessment associated 
with this rule (see ADDRESSES section for instructions on obtaining a 
copy) to specify that personnel from the Florida Fish and Wildlife 
Conservation Commission, the NOAA Office for Law Enforcement, and the 
U.S. Coast Guard are authorized to enforce this rule. Noncompliance 
would be subject to civil penalties pursuant to section 307 of the 
National Marine Sanctuaries Act (16 U.S.C. 1437).
    6. Comment: The proposed rule should be implemented, especially 
because it is consistent with the efforts (i.e., money being spent) by 
Monroe County to treat wastewater from land-based sources. In addition, 
no discharges should be allowed from any sources.
    Response: NOAA agrees that this action will complement other 
efforts by Monroe County and the State of Florida to reduce harmful 
discharges into the FKNMS and surrounding waters. This rulemaking 
builds consistency and enhances partnerships to improve water quality. 
Further, this rulemaking implements a recommendation from the 2007 
Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary Revised Management Plan that was 
specific to discharges of sewage from vessels. Though the prohibition 
of discharges from sources other than MSDs is beyond the intent of this 
rule, additional water quality regulation may be considered in future 
FKNMS management plan reviews.
    7. Comment: The proposed rule should not be implemented because it 
is ill advised, counter-productive and impractical to enforce. Instead, 
NOAA should actively encourage the installation and use of approved 
Type I MSDs, since they properly treat waste to make discharges 
harmless.
    Response: NOAA does not agree installation of Type I MSDs should be 
encouraged over prohibiting discharges from MSDs in FKNMS waters, since 
they do not adequately remove the viruses and excess nutrients that 
could harm FKNMS resources. Allowing any discharges of sewage, treated 
and untreated, is not as protective of FKNMS water quality as 
completely prohibiting them. Further, this rule is consistent with the 
existing discharge prohibitions in Florida's state waters, and 
therefore enhances compliance and increases enforceability in both 
state and Federal waters.
    8. Comment: NOAA should have consistent, system-wide (rather than 
site-specific) procedures for designating NDZs in national marine 
sanctuaries. NOAA should adopt those procedures already established by 
the CWA by which states obtain permission from the EPA to designate 
state waters as NDZs.
    Response: The EPA's procedures for establishing NDZs are not 
appropriate for every national marine sanctuary in the National Marine 
Sanctuary System (system), since NDZs only apply in state waters per 
the CWA, and some sanctuaries are located entirely in Federal waters. 
This rule encompasses all waters of the FKNMS, which includes state and 
Federal waters. Each site in the system was designated with different 
goals and objectives and, thus, their needs for vessel discharge 
regulations vary as well. NOAA will continue to evaluate the need for 
restrictions on vessel discharges on a sanctuary-by-sanctuary basis.
    9. Comment: NOAA has not demonstrated whether it considered if 
adequate pump-out facilities are available to vessel operators nor 
where funding will come from and be directed for increased access to 
pump-out facilities. NOAA cannot rely on the demonstration made by the 
State of Florida to the EPA unless the state had also considered the 
impact of an NDZ in the Federal waters of the FKNMS. NOAA should work 
with state and local agencies, EPA, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife 
Service (FWS) to ensure that there are adequate pump-out facilities 
available.
    Response: NOAA included information in the draft environmental 
assessment associated with this rule on the pump-out facilities in the 
Florida Keys and provided additional details about their locations and 
operational status in this rule's final environmental assessment (see 
ADDRESSES section for instructions on obtaining a copy). NOAA believes 
that vessel operators will be able to adequately discharge MSDs at 
existing pump-out facilities in the Florida Keys, based on their 
current quantity and locations, or outside FKNMS boundaries as 
appropriate. Florida was awarded $2.5 million in grant funding from the 
Clean Vessel Act Grant Program in 2008 (with $838,976 in matching 
funding provided by the state), and this money is being used through 
2010 to fund up to 121 pump-out projects in the coastal regions of 
Florida, which should increase access to pump-out facilities for vessel 
operators. To date, nine of these additional pump-out projects are in 
Monroe County. These efforts and the NOAA MSD discharge regulation help 
implement Strategy L.1, Elimination of Wastewater Discharge from 
Vessels, Activities 2-5, in the 2007 Florida Keys National Marine 
Sanctuary Revised Management Plan.

Federal Submissions--U.S. Coast Guard

    10. Comment: The term ``unlocked'' is unclear and not otherwise 
defined, so NOAA should cross-reference Coast Guard regulations on MSDs 
in the rule to promote consistency and clarify regulatory compliance.
    Response: NOAA has edited the rule language that was proposed for 
15 CFR 922.163(a)(5)(vi) to replace ``unlocked or that allows discharge 
or deposit of sewage'' with ``not secured in a manner that prevents 
discharges or deposits of treated and untreated sewage.'' NOAA agrees 
that acceptable methods for securing MSDs to prevent discharges or 
deposits of treated and untreated sewage include, but are not limited 
to, the methods listed in the Coast Guard's regulations (at 33 CFR 
159.7(b) and (c)). Though NOAA has included the reference to Coast 
Guard's regulations in this rule as a guide, vessel operators could use 
other methods if those methods fulfill NOAA's goal of ensuring that 
sewage from MSDs is not discharged into the sanctuary.
    11. Comment: Vessels with Type I and II MSD technologies that 
require considerable effort to start and stop (certain biological or 
anaerobic type systems) might also be equipped with a Type III MSD, 
which can hold treated sewage while operating in an area where 
discharge is prohibited.
    Response: Comment noted.
    12. Comment: Federal, State and local law enforcement officers 
should retain an exemption allowing them to discharge biodegradable 
effluent incidental to vessel use and generated by MSDs into FKNMS 
waters, as eliminating the exemption would have a negative impact on 
law enforcement activities. Since activities in the FKNMS related to 
migrant interdiction operations, counter-drug smuggling operations, and 
search and rescue operations may be long and drawn out, requiring the 
law enforcement vessel to operate near the incident, leaving the

[[Page 72659]]

scene of the incident to discharge an MSD is not always an option.
    Response: NOAA agrees Federal, State and local law enforcement 
officers acting in their official capacities may not have an option to 
leave the scene of an incident to discharge an MSD. NOAA has amended 
the regulatory language in 15 CFR 922.163(e) to ensure that the 
requirements and prohibitions of this rule do not apply to Federal, 
State and local officers while performing enforcement duties and/or 
responding to emergencies that threaten life, property, or the 
environment in their official capacity.

VI. Summary of Changes From the Proposed Rule

    Due to the comments received and the need for some technical fixes, 
NOAA has made a few key changes to this final rule as compared to the 
proposed rule as follows:
    <bullet> Provided in the preamble some examples from Coast Guard 
regulations of acceptable methods for securing MSDs in a manner that 
prevents discharges and deposits of treated and untreated sewage;
    <bullet> Made a conforming amendment to 15 CFR 922.163(a)(4)(ii);
    <bullet> Clarified the language in new paragraph 15 CFR 
922.163(a)(5)(vi) and added a reference to Coast Guard regulations; and
    <bullet> Added into 15 CFR 922.163(e) an exemption from this 
rulemaking for law enforcement officers performing their duties.

VII. Classifications

A. National Environmental Policy Act

    NOAA has prepared an environmental assessment, which includes a 
Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI), regarding the impacts of this 
rulemaking. The assessment found that this action would eliminate at 
least one contributing factor to declining water quality within the 
FKNMS. Improved water quality is necessary for the maintenance and 
enhancement of the sanctuary's biological resources, as well as of the 
recreational and commercial opportunities they provide. If the no 
action alternative had been adopted, it would have continued the 
discharge of treated sewage from MSDs into the Federal waters of the 
FKNMS, which would have continued to contribute to the decline of water 
quality. Poor water quality threatens not only the unique biological 
resources of the FKNMS, but also the viability of the local economy, 
which depends on the ability of these resources to attract visitors. 
Copies of the environmental assessment, which includes the FONSI, are 
available at the address and website listed in the ADDRESSES section of 
this rule.

B. Executive Order 12866: Regulatory Impact

    This rule has been determined to be not significant within the 
meaning of Executive Order 12866.

C. Executive Order 13132: Federalism Assessment

    NOAA has concluded that this regulatory action does not have 
federalism implications sufficient to warrant preparation of a 
federalism assessment under Executive Order 13132. The State of Florida 
was consulted during the promulgation of this rule.

D. Paperwork Reduction Act

    This rule does not contain any new collection-of-information 
requirements or revisions to the existing collection-of-information 
requirement that was approved by the Office of Management and Budget 
(OMB) (OMB Control Number 0648-0141) under the Paperwork Reduction Act 
of 1980 (PRA), 44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq. Notwithstanding any other 
provision of the law, no person is required to respond to, nor shall 
any person be subject to a penalty for failure to comply with, a 
collection of information subject to the requirements of the PRA, 
unless that collection of information displays a currently valid OMB 
Control Number.

E. Regulatory Flexibility Act

    The Chief Counsel for Regulation of the Department of Commerce 
certified to the Chief Counsel for Advocacy of the Small Business 
Administration during the proposed rule stage that this action would 
not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small 
entities. The factual basis for the certification was published in the 
proposed rule and is not repeated here. No comments were received 
regarding this certification. As a result, a regulatory flexibility 
analysis was not required, and none was prepared.

List of Subjects in 15 CFR Part 922

    Administrative practice and procedure, Coastal zone, Fish, 
Fisheries, Historic preservation, Intergovernmental relations, Marine 
resources, Monuments and memorials, Natural resources, Wildlife, 
Wildlife refuges, Wildlife management areas, Sanctuary preservation 
areas, Ecological reserves, Areas to be avoided, State of Florida, U.S. 
Coast Guard, Federal Water Pollution Control Act (Clean Water Act).

    Dated: November 17, 2010.
Juliana P. Blackwell,
Acting Deputy Assistant Administrator, National Ocean Service, National 
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

0
Accordingly, for the reasons discussed in the preamble, amend title 15, 
part 922 of the Code of Federal Regulations as follows:

PART 922--NATIONAL MARINE SANCTUARY PROGRAM REGULATIONS

0
1. The authority citation for part 922 continues to read as follows:

    Authority:  16 U.S.C. 1431 et seq.


0
2. Amend Sec.  922.163 as follows:
0
a. By removing paragraph (a)(4)(i)(B);
0
b. By redesignating paragraphs (a)(4)(i)(C) and (a)(4)(i)(D) as 
(a)(4)(i)(B) and (a)(4)(i)(C), respectively;
0
c. By revising (a)(4)(ii); and
0
d. By adding a new paragraph (a)(5)(vi);
0
e. By revising paragraph (e) to read as follows:
    The revisions and addition read as follows:


Sec.  922.163  Prohibited activities--Sanctuary wide.

    (a) * * *
    (4) * * *
    (ii) Discharging or depositing, from beyond the boundary of the 
Sanctuary, any material or other matter that subsequently enters the 
Sanctuary and injures a Sanctuary resource or quality, except:
    (A) Those listed in paragraph (a)(4)(i)(A) through (a)(4)(i)(C) of 
this section;
    (B) Sewage incidental to vessel use and generated by a marine 
sanitation device approved in accordance with section 312 of the 
Federal Water Pollution Control Act (FWPCA), as amended, 33 U.S.C. 1322 
et seq.;
    (C) Those authorized under Monroe County land use permits; or
    (D) Those authorized under State permits.
    (5) * * *
    (vi) Having a marine sanitation device that is not secured in a 
manner that prevents discharges or deposits of treated and untreated 
sewage. Acceptable methods include, but are not limited to, all methods 
that have been approved by the U.S. Coast Guard (at 33 CFR 159.7(b) and 
(c)).
* * * * *
    (e) The following prohibitions do not apply to Federal, State and 
local officers while performing enforcement duties in their official 
capacities or responding to emergencies that threaten life, property, 
or the environment:

[[Page 72660]]

    (1) Those contained in paragraph (a)(4) of this section only as it 
pertains to discharges of sewage incidental to vessel use and generated 
by a marine sanitation device approved in accordance with section 312 
of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (FWPCA), as amended, 33 
U.S.C. 1322 et seq.; and
    (2) Those contained in paragraph (a)(5) of this section.
* * * * *

[FR Doc. 2010-29416 Filed 11-24-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-NK-P