Guidance for Vessel Sewage No-Discharge Zone Applications
The “Guidance for Vessel Sewage No-Discharge Zone Applications (Clean Water Act Section 312(f))” is intended to assist state officials with the preparation of applications for vessel sewage no-discharge zones.
The guidance updates and supersedes existing program guidance from 1994 ("Protecting Coastal Waters from Vessel and Marina Discharges: A Guide for Local and State Officials; Volume I. Establishing No Discharge Areas under 312 of the Clean Water Act"). The updated guidance features new information for officials interested in pursuing designations under Clean Water Act (CWA) section 312(f)(4) authorities, as well as a new methodology for EPA's consideration of cost when reviewing CWA section 312(f)(3) applications.
Issuance of this guidance does not affect existing vessel sewage no-discharge zone designations. Additionally, this guidance does not address no-discharge zone programs under CWA section 312(n) (the Uniform National Discharge Standards) or CWA section 312(p) (the Vessel Incidental Discharge Act). These two no-discharge zone programs address non-sewage discharges incidental to the normal operation of vessels of the Armed Forces and non-recreational/non-military vessels, respectively.
The contents of this guidance document do not have the force and effect of law and are not meant to bind the public in any way. This document is intended only to provide recommendations to the public regarding existing requirements under the law or agency policies.
Guidance for Vessel Sewage No-Discharge Zone Applications (Clean Water Act Section 312(f)) (pdf)