JULY 2019 • FOGHORN 23 LEGISLATIVEREPORT By Ed Welch, PV A Legislative Director M any PVA vessel members operate in waters that have been designated as a “No Discharge Zone” (NDZ) for disposal of treated sewage effluent.As more NDZs are gradually established (the most recent being the waters of Puget Sound, Washington), it is prudent to under- stand the law and to consider how to alter your vessel discharge procedures in case your area receives a designation in the future. Every vessel operator must keep in mind that under federal law it is abso- lutely illegal for a vessel of any type to discharge untreated sewage into U.S. waters, including those ocean waters extending three miles seaward from the coastline. Violators can expect to be treated severely. In 2006, the general manager of a ferry company in the northeastern United States was jailed for 30 days and paid a $10,000 fine for his operation’s deliberate discharge of untreated sewage on multiple occasions. The federal Clean Water Act governs the discharge of properly-treat- ed sewage effluent from vessels. As a general rule, this law allows a vessel to discharge such treated sewage effluent into U.S. waters if that effluent has been processed through a Coast Guard- approved Marine Sanitation Device (MSD) that treats the effluent to a standard set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Despite the “default” position of the Clean Water Act of allowing the Know the Law Governing Vessel Discharge of Treated Sewage Effluent +1 920.686.5117 sales@burgerboat.com burgerboatcommercial.com Proudly built in the USA Refit & Repair Burger is recognized worldwide for quality custom vessels that provide years of dependable service. Quality Commercial Vessels... Built by Burger to Your Requirements • Aluminum and Steel Fabrication • Passenger Vessels • Water Taxis • Wind Farm Support Vessels • Crew Supply Vessels • Other Vessels to 260’ (80m) • Refit and Repair Services - Hull Plate Replacement - Exterior and Interior Coatings - Engine & Generator Repowers - All Vessel System Repairs - Interior Refresh Underconstruction Two 91’ Aluminum Catamarans