Clean Cruise Ship Act of 2008
Key claim: This 2008 Senate bill would have barred cruise ships calling at U.S. ports from dumping sewage, graywater, or bilge water in U.S. waters unless the waste is treated to EPA standards and the ship is moving at least six knots and at least 12 nautical miles from shore, and would have required sludge, incinerator ash, and hazardous waste to be offloaded on land.
Abstract
(S2881 · 110th Congress) Clean Cruise Ship Act of 2008 - Prohibits cruise vessels calling on U.S. ports from discharging sewage, graywater, or bilge water into U.S. waters unless: (1) the treated effluent meets specified effluent limits and management standards; (2) the vessel is proceeding at not less than six knots; (3) the vessel is not less than 12 nautical miles from shore; and (4) the vessel is not in a no discharge zone. Prohibits the discharge of sewage sludge, incinerator ash, or hazardous waste into U.S. waters and requires it to be off-loaded at appropriate land-based facilities. Prescribes exceptions for: (1) discharges solely to secure the safety of a vessel or to save a life at sea; and (2) Alaskan vessels until 10 years after enactment. Requires the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to promulgate such effluent limits that: (1) are consistent with the capability of the best available technology to treat effluent; (2) require compliance with state and federal water quality standards; (3) take into account the best available scientific information on environmental effects; and (4) require treated discharges to meet specified standards for minimum effluent quality, fecal coliform, and residual chlorine. Requires the EPA Administrator to implement a sampling and testing program, and requires the Commandant of the Coast Guard to implement an inspection program, sufficient to verify that such vessels are in compliance with this Act, the Federal Water Pollution Control Act, and other applicable federal laws and international agreements. Requires the Commandant to establish a program for the placement of trained independent observers on vessels to monitor and inspect vessel operations, equipment, and discharges. Requires the Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to carry out a pilot program to develop and promote commercialization of technologies to provide federal agencies data regarding discharges from vessels and functi Latest action (2008-04-17): Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. (text of measure as introduced: CR S3148-3154)
Why this matters
This 2008 Senate bill would have barred cruise ships calling at U.S. ports from dumping sewage, graywater, or bilge water in U.S. waters unless the waste is treated to EPA standards and the ship is moving at least six knots and at least 12 nautical miles from shore, and would have required sludge, incinerator ash, and hazardous waste to be offloaded on land.