A bill to remove a limitation on a prohibition relating to permits for discharges incidental to normal operation of vessels.

Bill: 113-s-2963
Sponsor: Sen. Boxer, Barbara [D-CA]
Introduced: 2014-11-20 in the Senate
Policy area: Environmental Protection
Subjects: Licensing and registrations
Marine and inland water transportation
Marine pollution
Water quality

Summary:
action_date: 2014-11-20
text: 
Makes permanent a prohibition exempting from National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit requirements under the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (commonly known as the Clean Water Act) a vessel under 79 feet in length or a fishing vessel for any discharge: (1) of effluent from properly functioning marine engines, or of laundry, shower, and galley sink wastes; or (2) that is incidental to the normal operation of those vessels.
 
(Currently, the prohibition is temporary, and the time period during which the Environmental Protection Agency [EPA] and any state with a state permit program are prohibited from requiring a NPDES permit ends on December 18, 2014. This prohibition does not apply, however, with respect to garbage discharged overboard, other discharges when the vessel is operating in a capacity other than as a means of transportation, discharges of ballast water held in ships to increase stability, or 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: 2014-12-04
text: 

(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary of that version is repeated here.)

 
Makes permanent a provision which prohibits the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) from requiring a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit under the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (commonly known as the Clean Water Act) for a vessel that is less than 79 feet in length or a fishing vessel 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 those vessels. (Currently, the prohibition is temporary and the time period in which the EPA is prohibited from requiring a NPDES permit ends on December 18, 2014. This prohibition does not apply with respect to garbage discharged overboard, other discharges when the vessel is operating in a capacity other than as a means of transportation, discharges of ballast water held in ships to increase stability, or 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: 2014-12-04
text: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 613.
action_date: 2014-12-04
text: Committee on Environment and Public Works. Reported by Senator Boxer without amendment. With written report No. 113-284.
action_date: 2014-12-04
text: Committee on Environment and Public Works. Reported by Senator Boxer without amendment. With written report No. 113-284.
action_date: 2014-12-02
text: Committee on Environment and Public Works. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.
action_date: 2014-11-20
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
action_date: 2014-11-20
text: Introduced in Senate