Great Lakes Ecology Protection Act of 2000

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Great Lakes Ecology Protection Act 
of 2000''.

SEC. 2. BALLAST WATER TREATMENT REGULATIONS REQUIRED.

    (a) In General.--Section 1101(b) of the Nonindigenous Aquatic 
Nuisance Prevention and Control Act of 1990 (33 U.S.C. 4711(b)) is 
amended by striking paragraphs (1) and (2) and inserting the following:
            ``(1) In general.--The Secretary of Transportation shall 
        issue regulations to prevent the introduction and spread of 
        aquatic nuisance species within the Great Lakes.
            ``(2) Contents of the regulations.--The regulations 
        required by paragraph (1) shall--
                    ``(A) ensure to the maximum extent practicable that 
                ballast water containing aquatic nuisance species is 
                not discharged into the Great Lakes;
                    ``(B) protect the safety of each vessel, its crew, 
                and passengers, if any;
                    ``(C) apply to all vessels capable of discharging 
                ballast water, whether equipped with ballast water tank 
                systems of otherwise, that enter the Great Lakes after 
                operating on waters beyond the exclusive economic zone;
                    ``(D) require such vessels to--
                            ``(i) carry out any discharge or exchange 
                        of ballast water before entering the Great 
                        Lakes; or
                            ``(ii) carry out any discharge or exchange 
                        of ballast water within the Great Lakes only in 
                        compliance with the regulations;
                    ``(E) take into consideration different vessel 
                operating conditions;
                    ``(F) require the use of environmentally sound 
                treatment methods for ballast water and ballast 
                sediments, such as sterilization, in preventing and 
                controlling infestations of aquatic nuisance species;
                    ``(G) provide for certification by the master of 
                each vessel entering the Great Lakes that such vessel 
                is in compliance with the regulations;
                    ``(H) assure compliance through--
                            ``(i) sampling procedures;
                            ``(ii) inspection of records; and
                            ``(iii) imposition of sanctions in 
                        accordance with subsection (g)(1);
                    ``(I) be based on the best scientific information 
                available;
                    ``(J) not supersede or adversely affect any 
                requirement or prohibition pertaining to the discharge 
                of ballast water into the waters of the United States 
                under the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (33 
                U.S.C. 1251 et seq.); and
                    ``(K) include such other matters as the Secretary 
                considers appropriate.''.
    (b) Sterilization Defined.--Section 1003 of such Act (33 U.S.C. 
4702) is amended by--
            (1) redesignating paragraphs (13), (14), (15), (16), and 
        (17) in order as paragraphs (14), (15), (16), (17), and (18); 
        and
            (2) inserting after paragraph (12) the following:
            ``(13) `sterilization' means the treatment of sediments in 
        ballast water tanks to remove or destroy all living biological 
        organisms through--
                    ``(A) filtration;
                    ``(B) the application of biocides or ultraviolet 
                light; or
                    ``(C) thermal methods;
                    ``(D) other treatment techniques approved by the 
                Secretary;''.
    (c) Maximizing Public Participation in the Formulation of Required 
Regulations.--The Secretary of Transportation shall maximize public 
participation in the issuance of regulations required by the amendment 
made by subsection (a), by--
            (1) publishing an advance notice of proposed rulemaking;
            (2) publishing the advance notice of proposed rulemaking 
        and the proposed rule through means designed to reach persons 
        likely to be subject to or affected by the regulations, 
        including electronic means;
            (3) making the text of the advance notice of proposed 
        rulemaking and of the proposed rule available through 
        electronic means;
            (4) providing not less than 120 days for public comment on 
        the proposed rule;
            (5) providing for an effective date that is not less than 
        30 days after the date of publication of the final rule; and
            (6) such other means as the Secretary considers 
        appropriate.
    (d) Required Regulatory Schedule.--
            (1) Issuance of advance notice of proposed rulemaking.--The 
        Secretary shall issue an advance notice of proposed rulemaking 
        for the regulations required by the amendment made by 
        subsection (a) within 30 days after the date of enactment of 
        this Act.
            (2) Issuance of final regulations.--The Secretary shall 
        issue final regulations required by the amendment made by 
        subsection (a) within 180 days after the date of enactment of 
        this Act.

Summary: Sets forth provisions requiring maximum public participation in, and advance notice of, proposed rulemaking with respect to such regulations.