A bill to clarify the circumstances during which the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency and applicable States may require permits for discharges from certain vessels, and to require the Administrator to conduct a study of discharges incidental to the normal operation of vessels.

Bill: 110-s-3298
Sponsor: Sen. Murkowski, Lisa [R-AK]
Introduced: 2008-07-22 in the Senate
Policy area: Environmental Protection
Subjects: Congressional oversight
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
Environmental assessment, monitoring, research
Environmental regulatory procedures
Licensing and registrations
Marine pollution
Water quality

Summary:
action_date: 2008-07-22
text: 
Prohibits the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), or a state with an approved National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit program under the Federal Water Pollution Control Act, from requiring an NPDES permit for a covered vessel for the next two years for any discharge: (1) of effluent from properly functioning marine engines; (2) of laundry, shower, and galley sink wastes; or (3) that is incidental to the normal operation of a covered vessel. Defines &quot;covered vessel&quot; to mean a vessel that is less than 79 feet in length or a fishing vessel.

Requires the Administrator to evaluate the impacts of such discharges, excluding discharges: (1) from a vessel of the Armed Forces; (2) of sewage from a vessel, other than the discharge of graywater from a vessel operating on the Great Lakes; and (3) of ballast water. 

Provides that such prohibition does not apply with respect to: (1) rubbish, trash, garbage, or other such materials discharged overboard; (2) other discharges when the vessel is operating in a capacity other than as a means of transportation; (3) ballast water discharges; or (4) any discharge that contributes to a violation of a water quality standard or poses an unacceptable risk to human health or the environment.

action_date: 2008-07-31
text: 

(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary has been expanded because action occurred on the measure.)

 
Prohibits the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), or a state with an approved National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit program under the Federal Water Pollution Control Act, from requiring an NPDES permit for a covered vessel for the next two years for any discharge: (1) of effluent from properly functioning marine engines; (2) of laundry, shower, and galley sink wastes; or (3) that is incidental to the normal operation of a covered vessel. Defines &quot;covered vessel&quot; to mean a vessel that is less than 79 feet in length or a fishing vessel.
 
Requires the Administrator to evaluate the impacts of such discharges, excluding discharges: (1) from a vessel of the Armed Forces; (2) of sewage from a vessel, other than the discharge of graywater from a vessel operating on the Great Lakes; and (3) of ballast water. Requires the Administrator to: (1) provide for public comment on a draft of such evaluation; and (2) submit a final report to the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, the Senate Environmental and Public Works Committee, and the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee.
 
Provides that such prohibition does not apply with respect to: (1) rubbish, trash, garbage, or other such materials discharged overboard; (2) other discharges when the vessel is operating in a capacity other than as a means of transportation; (3) ballast water discharges; or (4) any discharge that contributes to a violation of a water quality standard or poses an unacceptable risk to human health or the environment.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2008-07-31
text: Became Public Law No: 110-299.
action_date: 2008-07-31
text: Became Public Law No: 110-299.
action_date: 2008-07-31
text: Signed by President.
action_date: 2008-07-31
text: Signed by President.
action_date: 2008-07-25
text: Presented to President.
action_date: 2008-07-25
text: Presented to President.
action_date: 2008-07-22
text: Cleared for White House.
action_date: 2008-07-22
text: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
action_date: 2008-07-22
text: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H6752)
action_date: 2008-07-22
text: Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote.(text: CR H6752)
action_date: 2008-07-22
text: DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on S. 3298.
action_date: 2008-07-22
text: Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H6752-6756)
action_date: 2008-07-22
text: Mr. Oberstar moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.
action_date: 2008-07-22
text: Held at the desk.
action_date: 2008-07-22
text: Received in the House.
action_date: 2008-07-22
text: Message on Senate action sent to the House.
action_date: 2008-07-22
text: Introduced in the Senate, read twice, considered, read the third time, and passed without amendment by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S6981-6983; text as passed Senate: CR S6983)
action_date: 2008-07-22
text: Passed/agreed to in Senate: Introduced in the Senate, read twice, considered, read the third time, and passed without amendment by Unanimous Consent.(consideration: CR S6981-6983; text as passed Senate: CR S6983)
action_date: 2008-07-22
text: Introduced in Senate

Enacted as: number: 110-299