The purpose of the statute is to strictly limit ocean disposal of any material which would negatively affect human health, the marine environment, ecological systems, or potential economic endeavors.
Sewage sludge is solid, semi-solid, or liquid waste from a municipal wastewater treatment plant.
Industrial wastes are solid, semi-solid, or liquid wastes generated by a manufacturing or processing plant. The ODA also prohibits the dumping of radiological, chemical, and biological warfare agents, and high level radioactive waste into the ocean. There are a few exceptions to the requirement that you have a permit to dump waste in the ocean. Fish waste may be dumped into the ocean without a permit if the waste is not dumped in harbors, enclosed coastal waters, or where EPA has determined that dumping would endanger human health or harm the environment. Also, a permit is not required for activities regulated under the Clean Water Act.