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

Bill: 114-s-371
Sponsor: full_name: Sen. Murkowski, Lisa [R-AK]
Introduced: 2015-02-04
Policy area: Environmental Protection
Subjects: Licensing and registrations

Marine and inland water transportation

Marine pollution

Water quality
Latest action: action_date: 2015-02-04
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.

Summaries:
action_date: 2015-02-04
action_desc: Introduced in Senate
text: <p>This bill makes permanent a temporary exemption from permit requirements of the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) under the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (commonly known as the Clean Water Act). The exemption applies to 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. Under current law, the exemption is scheduled to end on December 18, 2017. This exemption does not apply 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.</p>

tv_txt: II 114th CONGRESS 1st Session S. 371 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES February 4, 2015 Ms. Murkowski (for herself, Mrs. Boxer , Mr. Sullivan , and Ms. Cantwell ) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works A BILL To remove a limitation on a prohibition relating to permits for discharges incidental to normal operation of vessels.

1. Discharges incidental to normal operation of vessels Section 2(a) of Public Law 110–299 ( 33 U.S.C. 1342 note) is amended by striking during the period beginning on the date of enactment of this Act and ending on December 18, 2017, .