Hold for Release: August 25, 2010

Media Contact: Mary Simms, simms.mary@epa.gov, 415-947-4270

EPA Proposes To Ban Sewage Discharges from 

Ships to Protect Coastal Waters in California

Regional Administrator Jared Blumenfeld Announces Clean Water Act
Proposal to Protect Beaches and Other Marine Waters Along Entire
California Coast 

SAN FRANCISCO – EPA’s Pacific Southwest Regional Administrator Jared
Blumenfeld announced today the Agency’s proposed decision to ban all
sewage discharges from large cruise ships and most other large
ocean-going ships to the marine waters along California’s entire
coastline.  This action will strengthen protection of the state’s
1,624 mile coast, from the border with Mexico to Oregon and the waters
surrounding major islands. The ban will prohibit sewage discharges from
a growing number of large vessels, including several dozen cruise ships
and more than 600 cargo ships and other vessels that operate in
California waters each year.  

“Sewage from vessels is a significant source of pollution that poses a
health risk to beachgoers and swimmers, and can harm ocean wildlife,”
said Regional Administrator Jared Blumenfeld. “This ban should
eliminate up to 20 million gallons of treated sewage that large ships
can discharge every year into local waters.  It fills an important gap
in marine water protection and demonstrates EPA’s strong commitment to
join with the State of California to safeguard its unique coastal
environment.” 

Placeholder for State quotes

California’s coastal waters are home to a wide variety of unique,
nationally important marine environments that support rich biological
communities and a wide range of recreational and commercial activities. 
Four national marine sanctuaries, a national monument, portions of six
national parks and recreation areas, and more than 200 other marine
reserves and protected areas have been established to protect
California’s unique marine resources.  Recreational and commercial
uses of California’s coastal waters are equally important. 
Seventy-seven percent of the State’s population lives on or near the
coast and annually, over 150 million visitor-days are spent at
California beaches. California ranks first in the nation as a travel
destination and its beaches are the leading destination for tourists.
California’s commercial fishing industry also relies upon clean water
to help preserve and restore coastal fisheries.

Today’s action proposes a new federal regulation to establish the
sewage discharge ban.  Under the Clean Water Act, states may request EPA
to establish vessel sewage no-discharge zones if necessary to protect
and restore water quality.  In 2006, following passage of three state
statutes designed to reduce the effects of vessel discharges to its
waters, the State of California asked EPA to establish the sewage
discharge ban.  The proposed prohibition is unprecedented in
geographical scope.  In contrast to prior no-discharge zones under the
Clean Water Act, which apply in very small areas, the new ban will apply
to all coastal waters out to 3 miles from the coastline and all bays and
estuaries subject to tidal influence.  There are 9 small no-discharge
zones currently designated in California, which include the marine
sanctuaries.  

Consistent with the State’s request, today’s proposed prohibition
will apply to all passenger ships larger than 300 tons and to all other
oceangoing vessels larger than 300 tons that have sufficient sewage
holding tank capacity.  In addition to today’s discharge prohibition,
other vessel sewage discharges will continue to be regulated under
existing Clean Water Act requirements, which generally require sewage to
be treated by approved marine sanitation devices prior to discharge. 
The State is also continuing to implement and strengthen other efforts
to address sewage discharges from smaller vessels, including
recreational boats, to state waters.

EPA is inviting public comment for 60 days on the proposed discharge
prohibition.  For more information on the proposed large vessel sewage
discharge prohibition in California, existing no-discharge zones in
California, and the Clean Water Act program to address vessel
discharges, please visit EPA’s website at:

  HYPERLINK
"http://www.epa.gov/Region9/water/no-discharge/indexoverview.html" 
http://www.epa.gov/Region9/water/no-discharge/indexoverview.html 

and

http://www.epa.gov/owow/oceans/regulatory/vesseldisch.html

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