Commercial Vessel Incidental Discharge Act

To provide for the establishment of nationally uniform and environmentally sound standards governing discharges incidental to the normal operation of a commercial vessel. 1. Short title; table of contents (a) Short title This Act may be cited as the Commercial Vessel Incidental Discharge Act (b) Table of contents The table of contents of this Act is as follows: Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents. Sec. 2. Definitions. Sec. 3. Existing ballast water regulations. Sec. 4. Ballast water discharge requirements. Sec. 5. Review of ballast water discharge standard. Sec. 6. Alternative compliance program. Sec. 7. Reception facilities. Sec. 8. Requirements for discharges incidental to the normal operation of a commercial vessel. Sec. 9. Judicial review. Sec. 10. State enforcement. Sec. 11. Effect on State authority. Sec. 12. Effect on other laws. 2. Definitions In this Act: (1) Administrator The term Administrator (2) Aquatic nuisance species The term aquatic nuisance species (3) Ballast water The term ballast water (4) Ballast water discharge standard The term ballast water discharge standard (5) Ballast water management system The term ballast water management system (6) Commercial vessel (A) In general The term commercial vessel (B) Exclusion The term commercial vessel (7) Discharge incidental to the normal operation of a commercial vessel (A) In general The term discharge incidental to the normal operation of a commercial vessel (i) a discharge into navigable waters of the United States from a commercial vessel of— (I) (aa) graywater, bilge water, cooling water, oil water separator effluent, anti-fouling hull coating leachate, boiler or economizer blowdown, byproducts from cathodic protection, controllable pitch propeller and thruster hydraulic fluid, distillation and reverse osmosis brine, elevator pit effluent, firemain system effluent, freshwater layup effluent, gas turbine wash water, motor gasoline and compensating effluent, refrigeration and air condensate effluent, seawater piping biofouling prevention substances, boat engine wet exhaust, sonar dome effluent, exhaust gas scrubber washwater, or stern tube packing gland effluent; or (bb) any other pollutant associated with the operation of a marine propulsion system, shipboard maneuvering system, habitability system, or installed major equipment, or from a protective, preservative, or absorptive application to the hull of a commercial vessel; (II) deck runoff, deck washdown, above the waterline hull cleaning effluent, aqueous film forming foam effluent, chain locker effluent, non-oily machinery wastewater, underwater ship husbandry effluent, welldeck effluent, or fish hold and fish hold cleaning effluent; or (III) any effluent from a properly functioning marine engine; or (ii) a discharge of a pollutant into navigable waters of the United States in connection with the testing, maintenance, or repair of a system, equipment, or engine described in subclause (I)(bb) or (III) of clause (i) whenever the commercial vessel is waterborne. (B) Exclusions The term discharge incidental to the normal operation of a commercial vessel (i) a discharge into navigable waters of the United States from a commercial vessel of— (I) ballast water; (II) rubbish, trash, garbage, incinerator ash, or other such material discharged overboard; (III) oil or a hazardous substance, as those terms are defined in section 311 of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act ( 33 U.S.C. 1321 (IV) sewage, as defined in section 312(a)(6) of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act ( 33 U.S.C. 1322(a)(6) (ii) any emission of an air pollutant resulting from the operation onboard a commercial vessel of a commercial vessel propulsion system, motor driven equipment, or incinerator; or (iii) any discharge into navigable waters of the United States from a commercial vessel when the commercial vessel is operating in a capacity other than as a means of transportation on water. (8) General Permit The term General Permit (9) Geographically limited area The term geographically limited area (A) with a physical limitation that prevents a commercial vessel from operating outside the area, such as the Great Lakes and Saint Lawrence River, as determined by the Secretary; or (B) that is ecologically homogeneous, as determined by the Secretary in consultation with the heads of other Federal departments or agencies the Secretary considers appropriate. (10) Major conversion The term major conversion (11) Navigable waters of the United States The term navigable waters of the United States (12) Owner or operator The term owner or operator (13) Pollutant The term pollutant 33 U.S.C. 1362(6) (14) Recreational vessel The term recreational vessel (15) Secretary The term Secretary 3. Existing ballast water regulations (a) Effect on existing regulations Any regulation issued pursuant to the Nonindigenous Aquatic Nuisance Prevention and Control Act of 1990 that is in effect on the date immediately preceding the effective date of this Act, and that relates to a matter subject to regulation under this Act, shall remain in full force and effect unless or until superseded by a new regulation issued under this Act relating to such matter. (b) Application of other regulations The regulations issued pursuant to the Nonindigenous Aquatic Nuisance Prevention and Control Act of 1990 relating to sanctions for violating a regulation under that Act shall apply to violations of a regulation issued under this Act. 4. Ballast water discharge requirements (a) In general (1) Requirements Except as provided in paragraph (3), and subject to sections 151.2035 and 151.2036 of title 33, Code of Federal Regulations (as in effect on the date of enactment of this Act), an owner or operator may discharge ballast water into navigable waters of the United States from a commercial vessel covered under subsection (b) only if— (A) the discharge meets the ballast water discharge standard; and (B) the owner or operator discharges the ballast water in accordance with other requirements established by the Secretary. (2) Commercial vessels entering the Great Lakes system In the case of a commercial vessel that enters the Great Lakes through the Saint Lawrence River after operating outside the exclusive economic zone of the United States or Canada, the owner or operator shall— (A) comply with the requirements of— (i) paragraph (1); (ii) subpart C of part 151 of title 33, Code of Federal Regulations; and (iii) section 401.30 of title 33, Code of Federal Regulations; and (B) conduct a complete ballast water exchange in an area that is 200 nautical miles or more from any shore before the owner or operator may discharge ballast water while operating in the Saint Lawrence River or the Great Lakes, subject to any requirements the Secretary determines necessary with regard to such exchange, or any ballast water management system that is to be used in conjunction with such exchange, to ensure that any discharge of ballast water complies with the requirements of paragraph (1). (3) Safety exemption Notwithstanding paragraphs (1) and (2), an owner or operator may discharge any ballast water into navigable waters of the United States from a commercial vessel if— (A) the ballast water is discharged solely to ensure the safety of life at sea; (B) the ballast water is discharged accidentally as the result of damage to the commercial vessel or its equipment and— (i) all reasonable precautions to prevent or minimize the discharge have been taken; and (ii) the owner or operator did not willfully or recklessly cause such damage; or (C) the ballast water is discharged solely for the purpose of avoiding or minimizing a discharge from the commercial vessel of a pollutant that would violate an applicable Federal or State law. (4) Limitation on requirements In establishing requirements under this subsection, the Secretary may not require the installation of a ballast water management system on a commercial vessel that— (A) carries all of its ballast water in sealed tanks that are not subject to discharge; or (B) discharges ballast water solely into a reception facility described in section 7. (b) Applicability (1) Covered vessels Except as provided in paragraph (2), subsection (a) shall apply to any commercial vessel that is designed, constructed, or adapted to carry ballast water while such commercial vessel is operating in navigable waters of the United States. (2) Exempted vessels Subsection (a) shall not apply to a commercial vessel— (A) that continuously takes on and discharges ballast water in a flow-through system, if such system does not introduce aquatic nuisance species into navigable waters of the United States, as determined by the Secretary; (B) that operates exclusively within a geographically limited area; (C) that operates pursuant to a geographic restriction issued as a condition under section 3309 of title 46, United States Code, or an equivalent restriction issued by the country of registration of the commercial vessel; (D) in the National Defense Reserve Fleet that is scheduled to be disposed of through scrapping or sinking; (E) that discharges ballast water consisting solely of water taken aboard from a public or commercial source that, at the time the water is taken aboard, meets the applicable regulations or permit requirements for such source under the Safe Drinking Water Act ( 42 U.S.C. 300f (F) in an alternative compliance program established pursuant to section 6. (c) Type approval of ballast water management systems that render ballast water organisms incapable of reproduction (1) In general Notwithstanding chapter 5 (A) such system— (i) undergoes type approval testing at an independent laboratory designated by the Secretary under such regulations; and (ii) meets the requirements of subpart 162.060 of title 46, Code of Federal Regulations, other than the requirements related to staining methods or measuring the concentration of living organisms; and (B) such laboratory uses a type approval testing method described in a final policy letter published under paragraph (2). (2) Type approval testing methods (A) Draft policy Not later than 60 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall publish a draft policy letter describing type approval testing methods capable of measuring the concentration of organisms in ballast water that are capable of reproduction. (B) Public comment The Secretary shall provide for a period of not more than 60 days for the public to comment on the draft policy letter published under paragraph (1). (C) Final policy Not later than 150 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall publish a final policy letter describing type approval testing methods capable of measuring the concentration of organisms in ballast water that are capable of reproduction. (D) Revisions The Secretary shall revise such policy letter as additional testing methods are determined by the Secretary to be capable of measuring the concentration of organisms in ballast water that are capable of reproduction. (E) Considerations In developing a policy letter under this paragraph, the Secretary— (i) shall consider a type approval testing method that uses organism grow out and most probable number statistical analysis to determine the concentration of organisms in ballast water that are capable of reproduction; and (ii) shall not consider a type approval testing method that relies on a staining method that measures the concentration of organisms greater than or equal to 10 micrometers and organisms less than or equal to 50 micrometers. 5. Review of ballast water discharge standard (a) Effectiveness review (1) In general The Secretary shall conduct reviews in accordance with this section to determine whether revising the ballast water discharge standard would result in a reduction in the risk of the introduction or establishment of aquatic nuisance species. (2) Required reviews Not later than January 1, 2022, and every 10 years thereafter, the Secretary, in consultation with the Administrator, shall complete a review under paragraph (1). (3) State petitions for review (A) In general The Governor of a State may submit a petition requesting that the Secretary conduct a review under paragraph (1) if there is significant new information that could reasonably indicate the ballast water discharge standard could be revised to result in a reduction in the risk of the introduction or establishment of aquatic nuisance species. (B) Timing A Governor may not submit a petition under subparagraph (A) during the 1-year period following the date of completion of a review under paragraph (1). (C) Required information A petition submitted to the Secretary under subparagraph (A) shall include— (i) a proposed ballast water discharge standard that would result in a reduction in the risk of the introduction or establishment of aquatic nuisance species; (ii) information regarding any ballast water management systems that may achieve the proposed ballast water discharge standard; (iii) the scientific and technical information on which the petition is based, including a description of the risk reduction that would result from the proposed ballast water discharge standard included under clause (i); and (iv) any additional information the Secretary considers appropriate. (D) Public availability Upon receipt of a petition under subparagraph (A), the Secretary shall make publicly available a copy of the petition, including the information included under subparagraph (C). (E) Treatment of more than one petition as a single petition The Secretary may treat more than one petition submitted under subparagraph (A) as a single such petition. (F) Authority to review After receiving a petition that meets the requirements of this paragraph, the Secretary, in consultation with the Administrator, may conduct a review under paragraph (1). (b) Practicability review (1) In general If the Secretary determines under subsection (a) that revision of the ballast water discharge standard would result in a reduction in the risk of the introduction or establishment of aquatic nuisance species, the Secretary, in consultation with the Administrator, shall conduct a practicability review to determine whether— (A) a ballast water management system that is capable of achieving the ballast water discharge standard as proposed to be revised is economically achievable and operationally practicable; and (B) testing protocols that can assure accurate measurement of compliance with the ballast water discharge standard as proposed to be revised can be practicably implemented. (2) Criteria for practicability review In conducting a practicability review under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall consider— (A) improvements in the scientific understanding of biological and ecological processes that lead to the introduction or establishment of aquatic nuisance species; (B) improvements in ballast water management systems, including— (i) the capability of such systems to achieve the ballast water discharge standard as proposed to be revised; (ii) the effectiveness and reliability of such systems in the shipboard environment; (iii) the compatibility of such systems with the design and operation of a commercial vessel by class, type, and size; (iv) the commercial availability of such systems; and (v) the safety of such systems; (C) improvements in the capabilities to detect, quantify, and assess whether aquatic nuisance species are capable of reproduction under the ballast water discharge standard as proposed to be revised; (D) the impact of ballast water management systems on water quality; (E) the costs, cost-effectiveness, and effects of— (i) a revised ballast water discharge standard; and (ii) maintaining the existing ballast water discharge standard; and (F) other criteria that the Secretary considers appropriate. (3) Information from States In conducting a practicability review under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall solicit information from the States concerning matters the Secretary is required to consider under paragraph (2). (c) Revised ballast water discharge standard The Secretary shall issue a rule to revise the ballast water discharge standard if the Secretary, in consultation with the Administrator, determines on the basis of the practicability review under subsection (b) that— (1) a ballast water management system that is capable of achieving the ballast water discharge standard as proposed to be revised is economically achievable and operationally practicable; and (2) testing protocols that can assure accurate measurement of compliance with the ballast water discharge standard as proposed to be revised can be practicably implemented. (d) Revised ballast water discharge standard effective date and compliance deadline (1) In general If the Secretary issues a rule to revise the ballast water discharge standard under subsection (c), the Secretary shall include in such rule— (A) an effective date for the revised ballast discharge standard that is three years after the date on which such rule is published in the Federal Register; and (B) for the owner or operator of a commercial vessel that is constructed or completes a major conversion on or after the date that is three years after the date on which the rule is published in the Federal Register, a deadline to comply with the revised ballast water discharge standard that is the first day on which such commercial vessel operates in navigable waters of the United States. (2) Extensions The Secretary shall establish a process for an owner or operator to submit a petition to the Secretary for an extension of a compliance deadline under paragraph (1)(B). (3) Factors In reviewing a petition under this subsection, the Secretary shall consider, with respect to the ability of an owner or operator to meet a compliance deadline, the following factors: (A) Whether the ballast water management system to be installed, if applicable, is available in sufficient quantities to meet the compliance deadline. (B) Whether there is sufficient shipyard or other installation facility capacity. (C) Whether there is sufficient availability of engineering and design resources. (D) Commercial vessel characteristics, such as engine room size, layout, or a lack of installed piping. (E) Electric power generating capacity aboard the commercial vessel. (F) Safety of the commercial vessel and crew. (G) Any other factor that the Secretary determines appropriate. (4) Consideration of petitions (A) Determinations The Secretary shall approve or deny a petition for an extension of a compliance deadline submitted by an owner or operator under this subsection. (B) Deadline If the Secretary does not approve or deny a petition referred to in subparagraph (A) on or before the last day of the 90-day period beginning on the date of submission of the petition, the petition shall be deemed approved. (5) Period of use of installed ballast water management system (A) In general Subject to subparagraph (B), an owner or operator shall be considered to be in compliance with the ballast water discharge standard if the ballast water management system installed on the commercial vessel complies with the ballast water discharge standard in effect at the time of installation, notwithstanding any revisions to the ballast water discharge standard occurring after the installation, so long as— (i) the owner or operator maintains the ballast water management system in proper working condition, as determined by the Secretary; and (ii) the ballast water management system continues to meet the ballast water discharge standard applicable to the commercial vessel at the time of installation, as determined by the Secretary. (B) Limitation Subparagraph (A) shall cease to apply with respect to a commercial vessel after the first to occur of the following: (i) The expiration of the service life of the ballast water management system of the commercial vessel, as determined by the Secretary. (ii) The expiration of the service life of the commercial vessel, as determined by the Secretary. (iii) The completion of a major conversion of the commercial vessel. 6. Alternative compliance program The Secretary, in consultation with the Administrator, may issue a rule establishing one or more compliance programs as that may be used by an owner or operator as an alternative to compliance with the requirements of section 4(a) for a commercial vessel that— (1) has a maximum ballast water capacity of less than 8 cubic meters; or (2) is less than 3 years from the end of the service life of the commercial vessel, as determined by the Secretary. 7. Reception facilities (a) In general Notwithstanding the requirements of section 4(a), an owner or operator may discharge ballast water into an onshore or offshore facility for the reception of ballast water that meets the standards established by the Administrator, in consultation with the Secretary, under subsection (b). (b) Issuance of standards Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator, in consultation with the Secretary, shall publish in the Federal Register a rule establishing reasonable and practicable standards for reception facilities to mitigate adverse effects of aquatic nuisance species on navigable waters of the United States. 8. Requirements for discharges incidental to the normal operation of a commercial vessel (a) In general Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary, in consultation with the Administrator, shall publish in the Federal Register a rule establishing best management practices for discharges incidental to the normal operation of a commercial vessel for commercial vessels that are— (1) greater than or equal to 79 feet in length; and (2) not fishing vessels, including fish processing vessels and fish tender vessels (as such terms are defined in section 2101 of title 46, United States Code). (b) Transition (1) In general Notwithstanding the expiration date for the General Permit, any practice, limitation, or concentration applicable to any discharge incidental to the normal operation of a commercial vessel that is required by the General Permit on the date of enactment of this Act, and any reporting requirement required by the General Permit on such date of enactment, shall remain in effect until the effective date of a rule issued by the Secretary under subsection (a). (2) Part 6 conditions Notwithstanding paragraph (1) and any other provision of law, the terms and conditions of Part 6 of the General Permit (relating to specific requirements for individual States or Indian country lands) shall expire on the date of enactment of this Act. (c) Application to certain vessels (1) Application of Federal Water Pollution Control Act No permit shall be required under section 402 of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act ( 33 U.S.C. 1342 (A) less than 79 feet in length; or (B) a fishing vessel, including a fish processing vessel and a fish tender vessel (as such terms are defined in section 2101 of title 46, United States Code). (2) Application of General Permit The terms and conditions of the General Permit shall cease to apply to vessels described in subparagraphs (A) and (B) of paragraph (1) on the date of enactment of this Act. (d) State petition for revision of best management practices (1) In general The Governor of a State may submit a petition requesting that the Secretary revise a best management practice established under subsection (a) if there is significant new information that could reasonably indicate that— (A) revising the best management practice would substantially reduce the adverse effects on navigable waters of the United States of discharges incidental to the normal operation of a commercial vessel; and (B) the revised best management practice would be economically achievable and operationally practicable. (2) Required information A petition submitted to the Secretary under paragraph (1) shall include— (A) the scientific and technical information on which the petition is based; and (B) any additional information the Secretary considers appropriate. (3) Public availability Upon receipt of a petition under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall make publicly available a copy of the petition, including the information included under paragraph (2). (4) Treatment of more than one petition as a single petition The Secretary may treat more than one petition submitted under paragraph (1) as a single such petition. (5) Revision of best management practices If, after reviewing a petition submitted by a Governor under paragraph (1), the Secretary, in consultation with the Administrator, determines that revising a best management practice would substantially reduce the adverse effects on navigable waters of the United States of discharges incidental to the normal operation of a commercial vessel, and the revised best management practice would be economically achievable and operationally practicable, the Secretary may, in consultation with the Administrator, issue a rule to revise the best management practice established under subsection (a). 9. Judicial review (a) In general A person may file a petition for review of a final rule issued under this Act in the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit. (b) Deadline (1) In general A petition under this section shall be filed not later than 120 days after the date on which the rule is published in the Federal Register. (2) Exception Notwithstanding paragraph (1), a petition that is based solely on grounds that arise after the deadline to file a petition under paragraph (1) has passed may be filed not later than 120 days after the date on which such grounds first arise. 10. State enforcement The Secretary may enter into an agreement with the Governor of a State to allow the State to enforce the provisions of this Act, as the Secretary considers appropriate. 11. Effect on State authority (a) In general Except as provided in subsection (b) and as necessary to implement an agreement entered into under section 10, no State or political subdivision thereof may adopt or enforce any statute, regulation, or other requirement of the State or political subdivision with respect to— (1) a discharge into navigable waters of the United States from a commercial vessel of ballast water; or (2) a discharge incidental to the normal operation of a commercial vessel. (b) Preservation of authority Nothing in this Act affects the authority of a State or political subdivision thereof to adopt or enforce any statute, regulation, or other requirement with respect to any water or other substance discharged or emitted from a vessel in preparation for transport of the vessel by land from one body of water to another. 12. Effect on other laws (a) Application of Federal Water Pollution Control Act (1) In general Except as provided in section 8(b), on or after the date of enactment of this Act, the Federal Water Pollution Control Act ( 33 U.S.C. 1251 (2) Oil and hazardous substance liability; marine sanitation devices Nothing in this Act shall affect the application to a commercial vessel of— (A) section 311 of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act ( 33 U.S.C. 1321 (B) section 312 of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act ( 33 U.S.C. 1322 (b) Established regimes Notwithstanding any other provision of this Act, nothing in this Act shall affect the authority of the Federal Government under— (1) the Act to Prevent Pollution from Ships ( 33 U.S.C. 1901 (2) title X of the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2010 ( 33 U.S.C. 3801 (c) International law (1) In general Any action taken under this Act shall be taken in accordance with international law. (2) Standards This Act shall not be construed to impose any design, equipment, or operation standard on a commercial vessel not documented under the laws of the United States and engaged in innocent passage unless the standard implements a generally accepted international rule, as determined by the Secretary. (d) Other authorities Nothing in this Act shall affect the authority of the Secretary of Commerce or the Secretary of the Interior, as the case may be, to administer those lands or waters under such Secretary’s administrative control. (e) Conforming amendment Section 1205 of the Nonindigenous Aquatic Nuisance Prevention and Control Act of 1990 ( 16 U.S.C. 4725 Ballast water and discharges incidental to the normal operation of a commercial vessel, as those terms are defined in the Commercial Vessel Incidental Discharge Act

Summary: Commercial Vessel Incidental Discharge Act This bill requires the U.S. Coast Guard to: (1) address the regulation of discharges incidental to the normal operation of a commercial vessel into navigable waters, including ballast water discharges; and (2) preempt applicable state laws and federal regulations issued under the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (commonly known as the Clean Water Act). Ballast water is water and suspended matter taken on board a commercial vessel to control or maintain trim, draught, stability, or stresses of the commercial vessel. This bill requires commercial vessels to meet ballast water discharge standards established by the Coast Guard. By 2022, the Coast Guard must complete an effectiveness review to determine whether revising ballast water discharge standards will result in reducing the risk of introducing or establishing aquatic nuisance species. Further revisions to the standards must be considered every 10 years. If the standard would result in reducing the risk of introducing or establishing aquatic nuisance species, then the Coast Guard must conduct a practicability review to determine whether: (1) a ballast water management system that is capable of achieving the proposed standard is economically achievable and operationally practicable, and (2) testing protocols can accurately measure compliance. The Coast Guard must revise the standard if it meets practicability criteria. The Coast Guard must also issue rules establishing: (1) reasonable and practicable standards for reception facilities to mitigate adverse effects of aquatic nuisance species on navigable waters, and (2) best management practices for certain discharges for commercial vessels that are at least 79 feet in length and are not fishing vessels.