Tag Archives: ballast water
Vessel Incident Discharge Act – Commercial Fleet Gets Relief on Vessel Ballast Water Issue
US Coast Guard legislation that passed the US Senate Nov. 14, will relieve commercial fishing vessel owners and operators from federal and state regulations for ballast water and other incidental discharges.,, The provisions provides a permanent exemption on incidental vessel discharge for all commercial fishing vessels and commercial vessels under 79 feet in length. Without this exemption, small vessel operators and fishermen would be forced to obtain Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) permits for even the most basic activity, including vessel deck runoff, hosing out their fish holds, and other minor discharges. >click to read<09:27
Rep. Walter B. Jones, R-N.C., co-sponsors bill to give exemption to fishing vessels
The moratorium addressed in the bill Jones’ cosponsored was for a federal court ruling in California in 2006 that said EPA was required under the Clean Water Act to issue permits for incidental discharges. Jones said that could include discharges of things as simple as ballast water, deck wash, bilge pump discharge, fish hold water, and laundry and shower water. Congress permanently exempted 13 million recreational vessels affected by the ruling, but approved only a temporary exemption for the 65,000 commercial and charter fishing boats and 15,000 commercial use vessels. [email protected] 23:21
