Regulations last checked for updates: May 04, 2024

Title 40 - Protection of Environment last revised: Jun 26, 2024
NO-DISCHARGE ZONES
§ 1700.7 - No-discharge zones.

For this part, a no-discharge zone is a waterbody, or portion thereof, where one or more discharges incidental to the normal operation of Armed Forces vessels, whether treated or not, are prohibited. A no-discharge zone is established either by State prohibition using the procedures in § 1700.9, or by EPA prohibition, upon application of a State, using the procedures in § 1700.10.

§ 1700.8 - Discharges for which no-discharge zones can be established.

(a) A no-discharge zone may be established by State prohibition for any discharge listed in § 1700.4 or § 1700.5 following the procedures in § 1700.9. A no-discharge zone established by a State using these procedures may apply only to those discharges that have been preempted from other State or local regulation pursuant to § 1700.6.

(b) A no-discharge zone may be established by EPA prohibition for any discharge listed in § 1700.4 or § 1700.5 following the procedures in § 1700.10.

§ 1700.9 - No-discharge zones by State prohibition.

(a) A State seeking to establish a no-discharge zone by State prohibition must send to the Administrator the following information:

(1) The discharge from § 1700.4 or § 1700.5 to be prohibited within the no-discharge zone.

(2) A detailed description of the waterbody, or portions thereof, to be included in the prohibition. The description must include a map, preferably a USGS topographic quadrant map, clearly marking the zone boundaries by latitude and longitude.

(3) A determination that the protection and enhancement of the waters described in paragraph (a)(2) of this section require greater environmental protection than provided by existing Federal standards.

(4) A complete description of the facilities reasonably available for collecting the discharge including:

(i) A map showing their location(s) and a written location description.

(ii) A demonstration that the facilities have the capacity and capability to provide safe and sanitary removal of the volume of discharge being prohibited in terms of both vessel berthing and discharge reception.

(iii) The schedule of operating hours of the facilities.

(iv) The draft requirements of the vessel(s) that will be required to use the facilities and the available water depth at the facilities.

(v) Information showing that handling of the discharge at the facilities is in conformance with Federal law.

(5) Information on whether vessels other than those of the Armed Forces are subject to the same type of prohibition. If the State is not applying the prohibition to all vessels in the area, the State must demonstrate the technical or environmental basis for applying the prohibition only to Armed Forces vessels. The following information must be included in the technical or environmental basis for treating Armed Forces vessels differently:

(i) An analysis showing the relative contributions of the discharge from Armed Forces and non-Armed Forces vessels.

(ii) A description of State efforts to control the discharge from non-Armed Forces vessels.

(b) The information provided under paragraph (a) of this section must be sufficient to enable EPA to make the two determinations listed below. Prior to making these determinations, EPA will consult with the Secretary on the adequacy of the facilities and the operational impact of any prohibition on Armed Forces vessels.

(1) Adequate facilities for the safe and sanitary removal of the discharge are reasonably available for the specified waters.

(2) The prohibition will not have the effect of discriminating against vessels of the Armed Forces by reason of the ownership or operation by the Federal Government, or the military function, of the vessels.

(c) EPA will notify the State in writing of the result of the determinations under paragraph (b) of this section, and will provide a written explanation of any negative determinations. A no-discharge zone established by State prohibition will not go into effect until EPA determines that the conditions of paragraph (b) of this section have been met.

§ 1700.10 - No-discharge zones by EPA prohibition.

(a) A State requesting EPA to establish a no-discharge zone must send to the Administrator an application containing the following information:

(1) The discharge from § 1700.4 or § 1700.5 to be prohibited within the no-discharge zone.

(2) A detailed description of the waterbody, or portions thereof, to be included in the prohibition. The description must include a map, preferably a USGS topographic quadrant map, clearly marking the zone boundaries by latitude and longitude.

(3) A technical analysis showing why protection and enhancement of the waters described in paragraph (a)(2) of this section require a prohibition of the discharge. The analysis must provide specific information on why the discharge adversely impacts the zone and how prohibition will protect the zone. In addition, the analysis should characterize any sensitive areas, such as aquatic sanctuaries, fish-spawning and nursery areas, pristine areas, areas not meeting water quality standards, drinking water intakes, and recreational areas.

(4) A complete description of the facilities reasonably available for collecting the discharge including:

(i) A map showing their location(s) and a written location description.

(ii) A demonstration that the facilities have the capacity and capability to provide safe and sanitary removal of the volume of discharge being prohibited in terms of both vessel berthing and discharge reception.

(iii) The schedule of operating hours of the facilities.

(iv) The draft requirements of the vessel(s) that will be required to use the facilities and the available water depth at the facilities.

(v) Information showing that handling of the discharge at the facilities is in conformance with Federal law.

(5) Information on whether vessels other than those of the Armed Forces are subject to the same type of prohibition. If the State is not applying a prohibition to other vessels in the area, the State must demonstrate the technical or environmental basis for applying a prohibition only to Armed Forces vessels. The following information must be included in the technical or environmental basis for treating Armed Forces vessels differently:

(i) An analysis showing the relative contributions of the discharge from Armed Forces and non-Armed Forces vessels.

(ii) A description of State efforts to control the discharge from non-Armed Forces vessels.

(b) The information provided under paragraph (a) of this section must be sufficient to enable EPA to make the three determinations listed below. Prior to making these determinations, EPA will consult with the Secretary on the adequacy of the facilities and the operational impact of the prohibition on Armed Forces vessels.

(1) The protection and enhancement of the specified waters require a prohibition of the discharge.

(2) Adequate facilities for the safe and sanitary removal of the discharge are reasonably available for the specified waters.

(3) The prohibition will not have the effect of discriminating against vessels of the Armed Forces by reason of the ownership or operation by the Federal Government, or the military function, or the vessels.

(c) If the three conditions in paragraph (b) of this section are met, EPA will by regulation establish the no-discharge zone. If the conditions in paragraphs (b) (1) and (3) of this section are met, but the condition in paragraph (b)(2) of this section is not met, EPA may establish the no-discharge zone if it determines that the significance of the waters and the potential impact of the discharge are of sufficient magnitude to warrant any resulting constraints on Armed Forces vessels.

(d) EPA will notify the State of its decision on the no-discharge zone application in writing. If EPA approves the no-discharge zone application, EPA will by regulation establish the no-discharge zone by modification to this part. A no-discharge zone established by EPA prohibition will not go into effect until the effective date of the regulation.

§ 1700.6 - Effect on State and local statutes and regulations.

(a) After the effective date of a final rule determining that it is not reasonable and practicable to require use of a Marine Pollution Control Device regarding a particular discharge incidental to the normal operation of an Armed Forces vessel, States or political subdivisions of States may not adopt or enforce any State or local statute or regulation, including issuance or enforcement of permits under the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System, controlling that discharge, except that States may establish a no-discharge zone by State prohibition (as provided in § 1700.9), or apply for a no-discharge zone by EPA prohibition (as provided in § 1700.10).

(b)(1) After the effective date of a final rule determining that it is reasonable and practicable to require use of a Marine Pollution Control Device regarding a particular discharge incidental to the normal operation of an Armed Forces vessel, States may apply for a no-discharge zone by EPA prohibition (as provided in § 1700.10) for that discharge.

(2) After the effective date of a final rule promulgated by the Secretary governing the design, construction, installation, and use of a Marine Pollution Control Device for a discharge listed in § 1700.4, States or political subdivisions of States may not adopt or enforce any State or local statute or regulation, including issuance or enforcement of permits under the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System, controlling that discharge except that States may establish a no-discharge zone by State prohibition (as provided in § 1700.9), or apply for a no-discharge zone by EPA prohibition (as provided in § 1700.10).

(c) The Governor of any State may submit a petition requesting that the Administrator and Secretary review a determination of whether a Marine Pollution Control Device is required for any discharge listed in § 1700.4 or § 1700.5, or review a Federal standard of performance for a Marine Pollution Control Device.

STATE PETITION FOR REVIEW
§ 1700.11 - State petition for review of determinations or standards.

The Governor of any State may submit a petition requesting that the Administrator and Secretary review a determination of whether a Marine Pollution Control Device is required for any discharge listed in § 1700.4 or § 1700.5, or review a Federal standard of performance for a Marine Pollution Control Device. A State may submit a petition only where there is new, significant information not considered previously by the Administrator and Secretary.

§ 1700.12 - Petition requirements.

A petition for review of a determination or standard must include:

(a) The discharge from § 1700.4 or § 1700.5 for which a change in determination is requested, or the performance standard from § 1700.14 for which review is requested.

(b) The scientific and technical information on which the petition is based.

(c) A detailed explanation of why the State believes that consideration of the new information should result in a change to the determination or the standard on a nationwide basis, and an explanation of how the new information is relevant to one or more of the following factors:

(1) The nature of the discharge.

(2) The environmental effects of the discharge.

(3) The practicability of using a Marine Pollution Control Device.

(4) The effect that installation or use of the Marine Pollution Control Device would have on the operation or operational capability of the vessel.

(5) Applicable United States law.

(6) Applicable international standards.

(7) The economic costs of the installation and use of the Marine Pollution Control Device.

§ 1700.13 - Petition decisions.

The Administrator and the Secretary will evaluate the petition and grant or deny the petition no later than two years after the date of receipt of the petition. If the Administrator and Secretary grant the petition, they will undertake rulemaking to amend this part. If the Administrator and Secretary deny the petition, they will provide the State with a written explanation of why they denied it.

authority: 33 U.S.C. 1322,1361
source: 64 FR 25134, May 10, 1999, unless otherwise noted.
cite as: 40 CFR 1700.6