Industrial Water Pollution Controls

Recent Additions | Contact Us | Print Version Search:

EPA Home > Water > Water Science > Industrial Water Pollution Controls > UNDS > Fact Sheet

Effluent Guidelines

Cooling Water Intake

Structures 316(b)

Discharge Standards

for Armed Forces

Vessels

Analytical Methods

Uniform National Discharge Standards (UNDS) For

Armed Forces Vessels

United States

Environmental Protection

Agency

Office of Water

4303

EPA-821-F-99-009

April 1999

Summary

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Department of Defense (DOD) are publishing a

rule that concludes Phase I of the development of uniform national discharge standards (UNDS) to control

discharges incidental to the normal operation of Armed Forces vessels. This rule requires 25 Armed

Forces vessel discharges to be controlled by marine pollution control devices, and excludes 14 vessel

discharges from pollution controls and regulation by State and local governments.

Background

On February 10, 1996, President Clinton signed into law an amendment to Section 312 of the Clean

Water Act. It authorized EPA and DOD to jointly establish UNDS for discharges incidental to the normal

operation of Armed Forces vessels. Previously, Section 312 addressed only the regulation of sewage.

The Armed Forces include Navy, Military Sealift Command, Army, Marine Corps, Air Force, and Coast

Guard. UNDS applies to more than 7,000 Armed Forces vessels operating in inland waters or within 12

miles from the coastline of the U.S. and its territories.

Phase I Results

This regulation requires 25 Armed Forces vessel discharges to be controlled by marine pollution control

devices (MPCDs), and excludes 14 vessel discharges from pollution controls and regulation by State and

local governments because of their low potential for causing adverse environmental impacts. This

regulation also explains the procedures for States to establish no-discharge zones, where any release of

a specified discharge from Armed Forces vessels is prohibited, and to petition EPA and DOD to review

determinations and standards issued under the UNDS program.

Next Steps

Identifying which vessel discharges will require control is the first phase of a three-phase process to

establish UNDS. During Phase II, EPA and DOD will identify appropriate MPCDs for each discharge that

requires control, and establish the MPCD performance standards. A MPCD may be equipment or a

management practice. During Phase III, DOD will develop implementing regulations for the design,

construction, installation, and use of MPCDs.

Benefits of UNDS

UNDS will result in enhanced environmental protection because standards will be established for certain

discharges that currently are not regulated comprehensively. These standards will also advance the

Armed Forces' ability to better design and build environmentally sound vessels, to train crews to operate

vessels in an environmentally protective manner, and to maintain the operational flexibility of Armed

Forces vessels both domestically and internationally. In addition, these standards are expected to

stimulate the development of innovative vessel pollution control technologies.

Additional Information

For additional information concerning this rule, contact:

Mr. Gregory Stapleton David F. Kopack

1 of 2 10/21/13 10:11 AM
2 of 2 10/21/13 10:11 AM